Clinical Researcher—September 2019 (Volume 33, Issue 8)
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE
Jim Kremidas
Despite some 90+ degree temperatures of late here in ACRP’s Alexandria, Va. stomping grounds, the truth is summer’s just about over. Now that we’ve enjoyed the Labor Day break, which marks the traditional end of summer, it’s time to roll up our sleeves and get back to work.
Actually, as an organization we have had a pretty busy—and fun—summer. I wanted to share a few quick updates with you. First, we added a great new member to the Workforce Innovation Steering Committee (WISC): The Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC).
The WISC is a collaborative partnership of private and public stakeholders working to improve clinical trial quality and respond to changes impacting the workforce by providing oversight and alignment around the competencies required to meet the needs of the future. The partnership has led several important initiatives in clinical research, including publication of competency guidelines for clinical trial monitors, coordinators, and investigators.
Workforce planning, development, and assessment are imperative to the existence, quality, and efficiency of clinical research. Yet, these factors have been largely overlooked as industry focuses instead on also-important initiatives to improve quality and efficiency through process and technology innovation.
Last month, we made another exciting announcement about a partnership designed in part to help contract research organizations around the world attract and retain key talent. This partnership is with Austria-based VIARES GmbH.
VIARES provides its growing customer base with on-demand, highly qualified clinical research associates and clinical trial assistants through its proprietary VIARES ACADEMY training programs.
Under this new partnership, ACRP’s professional support and development programs—including the industry’s most recognized and respected certification programs—are now integrated into the VIARES ACADEMY and immediately available worldwide.
Finally, I hope to see you at our first ACRP Southeast Regional Conference, being held at the Sheraton Imperial at Raleigh-Durham Airport in North Carolina in conjunction with the ACRP Research Triangle Park Chapter on October 3–4. Please check out the webpage devoted to this event, which offers 12 contact hours, for details on our exciting lineup of speakers, techXpo session, and networking opportunities, as well as instructions on how to register.
Jim Kremidas (jkremidas@acrpnet.org) is Executive Director for ACRP.
