From Trust to Trial: Building Community-Driven Recruitment in Clinical Research
Building genuine trust with communities isn’t just a “nice to have” in clinical research—it’s essential for equitable recruitment, stronger enrollment outcomes, and meaningful participant engagement.
Date: June 24, 2026
Time: 12:00 – 1:00 PM ET
Many sites struggle to reach diverse populations not because the interest isn’t there, but because community members don’t see research as accessible, relevant, or aligned with their needs. When sites invest in trust‑building, transparent communication, and culturally aligned outreach, recruitment becomes more successful and more inclusive.
This webinar explores why community‑driven strategies are critical for improving recruitment and retention in today’s clinical research environment. You’ll learn how thoughtful messaging, relationship‑building, and targeted outreach efforts can help sites reach underrepresented populations. The speaker(s) will share actionable tactics for increasing attendance, reducing drop‑off, and sustaining participant trust throughout the trial lifecycle.
By understanding why community trust matters—and how to build it—you’ll be better equipped to create recruitment strategies that are effective and inclusive.
Speakers:
Charell Brinkley, MBA, CCRC
Director of Clinical Research
Northwell Health
Charell is the Director of Clinical Research, a position she assumed in June 2025, having initially joined Northwell Health’s Office of Clinical Research in May 2021 as a Supervisor. In her current role, she oversees the comprehensive Research and Education Program, which includes providing training for Clinical Investigators and Clinical Research Professionals and has developed vital resources such as “The Research Coordinator’s Compass” and “The Clinical Investigator’s Guide” to streamline clinical research navigation across Northwell Health. Her extensive experience spans managing studies in diverse medical disciplines like Cardiology, Ophthalmology, Neurology, Dermatology, Surgery, and Organ Transplant with proficiency in Industry-Sponsored and Investigator-Initiated IND and IDE Trials. Charell also actively mentors within Northwell and facilitates the KNN Flourishing 1.5 Program for Clinical Research. Prior to her leadership roles, she dedicated five years to North Shore University Hospital, progressing to Senior Clinical Research Coordinator, following research assistant positions at NYU Langone Medical Center and SUNY Downstate. An ACRP Certified Clinical Research Coordinator, Charell holds a Bachelor of Arts in Biochemistry from New York University and recently earned her Master of Business Administration in Strategic Healthcare Management from Hofstra University in December 2025. Her contributions have been recognized with several awards from the Feinstein Institute for Medical Research, and she has completed prestigious leadership development programs like the McKinsey Black Management Accelerator and Northwell’s LeadNEXT.
Angie Lugaro, RN, BSN
Senior Director of Clinical Research
Northwell Health
Angie Lugaro, RN, BSN, is a Senior Director of Clinical Research, overseeing multi-site cardiology trials. With over 20 years of progressive leadership experience within large academic health systems, Angie brings deep expertise in research operations. Her career began in critical care, where her passion for cardiology and mentorship took root. Transitioning to clinical research in 2018, she gained early experience in Phase I oncology trials, earning back-to-back Research Nurse of the Year nominations (2020, 2021) and Leader of the Year (2024). Angie is an expert in overseeing multi-site research operations, leading cross-functional teams, and driving efficiency, quality, and regulatory compliance. She also certified as an ACRP Clinical Research Coordinator and serves on the Northwell Clinical Trials Advisory Committee and the Research Nurse Board of Directors, dedicated to advancing strategic initiatives that shape the future of heart care.
Ramona Ramdeo
Senior Director of Clinical Research, Department of Medicine
Northwell Health
Ramona Ramdeo, DNP, FNP-C, MBA, CCRC, CPI, is the Senior Director of Clinical Research for the Department of Medicine at Northwell Health. She has more than 25 years of drug and device clinical research experience and is a Family Nurse Practitioner who has functioned as a Principal Investigator, Sub-Investigator, clinical research coordinator, and co-author of pulmonary-related publications. With experience in clinical trials, patient registries, decentralized trials, controlled substance studies, and research grants, she oversees clinical research for many of Northwell’s medical divisions, providing hands-on coordinator and investigator support and guidance for the safe and effective conduct of clinical research. She is an ACRP Certified Clinical Research Coordinator (CCRC) and Certified Principal Investigator (CPI), and a member of Northwell’s Clinical Trials Advisory Committee and Nursing Research and Evidence Based Practice Council. She served on ACRP’s Professional Ethics Committee from 2022-2024.
Approved for 1.0 ACRP Contact Hours
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