In the aftermath of 225 miles of cycling with more than 10,000 feet in vertical climb over five days earlier this month, Association of Clinical Research Professional (ACRP) volunteers who conquered the 2024 ACRP Ride4DEI have returned to their normal routines with sore muscles eased, mechanical challenges overcome, and happy memories and new friendships formed. They also have the satisfaction of knowing that their efforts have inspired more than $81,600 in donations thus far toward a $100,000 goal for providing ASCRT Scholarships toward tuition and Continuing Education Grants to attend ACRP’s Annual Conference for entry-level clinical research professionals from diverse communities.
This year, Northern Vermont’s Green Mountain National Forest presented a new and much more altitudinous territory for the ride, which had previously taken place annually over the combined length of the Great Allegheny Passage rail trail and C&O Canal towpath between Pittsburgh, Pa., and Washington, D.C., since the event’s founding in 2021.
Riders for 2024 included event cofounders Sergio Armani (ACRP Board of Trustees member) and Rick Fisher (of Velocity Clinical Research), veterans Scott Chatterton (of Javara) and David Morin, MD, FACP, CPI, FACRP (of Holston Medical Group), and newcomers Kyle Ashe (of Acclinate) and Lauren Chazal, MBA (of Headlands Research). Simultaneously riding a similarly long route in California for the second year in a row was Justin Chia (of ICON).
“As a cofounder of the Ride4DEI, it is such an honor to be able to support such an amazing cause,” Armani said. “All of the hard work that goes into planning for, and actually doing, the ride is easy compared to the challenges that many from diverse backgrounds face as they try to navigate building a career in the clinical research industry.”
“This year’s Ride4DEI was by far my most challenging ride physically and mentally,” Chatterton reported. “All the training I put in certainly helped, though I left the ride feeling beat down physically but overjoyed by what I had accomplished. My motivation throughout was knowing that the money we raised is going to support someone else’s dream of working in our amazing industry. I have left the ride with six new best friends and colleagues whom I thank for pushing me through the difficult days. I urge everyone to challenge yourself to do something you don’t think is possible. Work hard to train for it and go out and conquer that mountain—I did, and I feel AMAZING.”
“Our ride wasn’t just about the physical challenge, but championing diversity in clinical trials and the clinical trial workforce,” Ashe noted on LinkedIn following the ride. “I am fortunate to be in a position where I can take on a challenge like this, but so many aren’t. That reality was at the forefront of my mind throughout the ride, and was a reminder of the importance of representation in research and beyond. A massive thank you to everyone who donated to my ride! Time to start training for next year!”
“One barrier to understanding better how the same treatment can affect groups of people from different genetic backgrounds differently may be the underrepresentation of these groups in the clinical research workforce,” notes Morin. “The goal of the Ride4DEI is to support the education of underserved students entering the workforce who have diverse backgrounds, so that they may go on to build trust and rapport in research among those with whom they share racial and cultural similarities. My participation as a rider is one way I can support this cause through ACRP. Being a rider for this group for two years now is both an honor and a serious commitment. This ride was among the most challenging I have ever done outside of mountain bike racing—and the difficulty is intentional in its design. ACRP translates and amplifies the riders’ efforts into much-appreciated donations from well-wishers and official sponsors who are aligned with these goals.”
Also commenting on the Ride4DEI on LinkedIn—while providing ongoing trailside support for the riders in Vermont—was ACRP Executive Director Susan Landis, who urged ACRP stakeholders to “show your support for our team and mission to provide career and training opportunities to a diverse clinical research workforce” by visiting the event’s donation page while the campaign remains active through the end of September.
“If you can’t make a donation, please share this post with your networks,” Landis added. “And a huge shout-out to all our sponsors who have donated and shared this impactful opportunity with their networks: Velocity Clinical Research, Inc., HCA Healthcare, Acclinate, Headlands Research, Holston Medical Group, Pfizer, Javara, Cognivue, Inc., Lightship, Medidata Solutions, RealTime eClinical Solutions, DM Clinical Research, Florence Healthcare, Paradigm Clinical Research, Profound Research, and Premier Inc.”
Since 2021 (not including the amount already received toward this year’s goal), the ACRP Ride4DEI has raised $165,282 in donations from individuals and corporate sponsors. Funds go directly to support educational grants and tuition scholarships. In 2024, ACRP awarded six $5,000 scholarships to students from underrepresented groups who are enrolled in a community college, four-year college, or master’s-level program in clinical research through its Access for Students to Clinical Research Training (ASCRT) Scholarship program. The recipients were selected by the ACRP Diversity Advisory Council.
Edited by Gary Cramer
