About Us

The Research Foundation is a not-for-profit organization in Kansas City dedicated to strengthening the community through our health education and scholarship programs.

Harmon Diabetes Center - The Harmon Diabetes Center, founded in 1987, was one of the area’s first diabetes education programs. On October 1, 2004, the Center became a program of The Research Foundation. In 2007, it was renamed the Harmon Diabetes Center to honor the Harmon family and their generous support of The Research Foundation. In October of 2011, Centerpoint Diabetes Center in Independence merged with Harmon Diabetes Center. The Center is dedicated to teaching patients with diabetes how to manage the disease and reduce the risks of life-threatening complications caused by diabetes. Patients learn how meal planning, physical activity, blood sugar monitoring, and medications all play an important role in controlling blood sugar levels.

ThinkFirst of Greater Kansas City - ThinkFirst is part of a national, award-winning injury prevention program presented by inspiring survivors of brain and spinal cord injuries. Through compelling firsthand testimonies, youth learn about the consequences of traumatic injuries and how injuries can happen to anyone. ThinkFirst programs educate young people about their personal vulnerability and the importance of making safe choices. The presentations cover a variety of topics including promoting seat belt usage, sports and recreation safety, helmet usage, motor-vehicle safety, water safety and avoiding violence. Approximately 30,000 youth in Greater Kansas City hear the ThinkFirst injury prevention message each year.

Nursing Scholarship & Faculty Development Programs - The Research Foundation provides scholarships to nursing and allied health students. The Foundation makes up to $200,000 available each year in nursing student scholarships, allied health awards and nursing faculty development programs.

To learn more about how The Research Foundation is serving the community, please watch the video below which further outlines its core programs.