The Association of Clinical Research Professionals (ACRP) today recognizes Meridian Clinical Research as a Breakaway Sponsor of the ACRP Ride for Diversity.
The ACRP Ride for Diversity – a road trip for a reason – is a nonprofit fundraiser supporting ACRP initiatives to develop a diverse and research-ready clinical research workforce.
“Research shows that the more diverse the clinical trial workforce, the more diverse clinical trial participation,” says Susan Landis, ACRP Executive Director. “Clinical studies need to reflect our real-world population—and a more diverse clinical research staff is an important way to make this change happen. We are incredibly thankful for Meridian’s support.”
“We love ACRP’s objective with the Ride for Diversity,” said Nicole Osborn, Founder and CEO of Meridian. “Proportionate representation is pivotal in clinical research, and is increasingly a top priority for Sponsors and CROs seeking to access the demographically diverse communities we serve. We champion ACRP’s investment in diversity awareness, and see it as intertwined with our goal to make clinical trials more visible, accessible, and rewarding for specialty populations.”
Last year more than 100 sponsors came together to fund the first-ever ACRP Ride for Diversity, a 350-mile bike ride from Pittsburgh to Washington, DC. All donations are allocated for scholarships and programs supporting the growth and development of people of color working in clinical research.
“It is important that ACRP take a stance in today’s society to push organization conducting clinical trials to diversify their workforce because it’s good for science, but more importantly it’s good for mankind,” says Sergio Armani, Vice President, Business Development, North America, Advarra, who is spearheading the ACRP Ride for Diversity with Rick Fisher, Senior Director of Operations, Velocity Clinical Research.
“Diversity in clinical trials is more important than ever as we grow and work together as a society to break down barriers that have held us back for decades,” Fisher adds. “In clinical research, we need to make sure we have greater diversity in the workforce – the clinicians, nurses, and research staff who are face-to-face with potential patients – to fully realize our potential and to safely and ethically deliver new treatments to those in need.”
For more information about the ACRP Ride for Diversity, please visit us online at acrpnet.org/ride.
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About Meridian Clinical Research
Meridian Clinical Research is a multi-specialty site network that partners with pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies to conduct Phase 1-4 studies at investigative sites nationwide. For more information, visit mcrmed.com.