The Association of Clinical Research Professionals

ACRP Ride4DEI

A diverse clinical trial workforce is imperative to the sustainability, quality, and reliability of clinical research now and in the future–and that’s what the ACRP Ride4DEI is all about.

This annual fundraiser supports clinical researchers from diverse backgrounds by providing scholarships that result in professional growth and development.

May 14-20, 2023
Pittsburgh to Washington, DC

“There has never been a more significant time to enhance the clinical trial workforce. The Ride4DEI is an actionable initiative supporting advancement and accessibility for clinical researchers.”

– R’Kes Starling, RPh, MBA, ACRP Diversity Advisory Council member and Chief Executive Officer/President, Reveles

Cycling for Clinical Research Workforce Diversity

Ensuring diversity in clinical trials is a matter of health equity. Participation in clinical research by people of all backgrounds can reduce health disparities and improve drug development and efficacy. But the reality is that communities of color and LGBTQIA+ individuals are still under-represented in clinical trials (I, II, III, IV).

And while new research shows that study sites with multicultural personnel do a better job of recruiting volunteers from racial and ethnic minority groups, workforce diversity has other benefits. Researchers know that building greater trust and engagement with patients can lead to higher clinical trial recruitment, participation, and completion rates. In addition, a strong commitment to DEI hiring and staffing practices will only strengthen the clinical research community.

The ACRP Ride4DEI is the clinical research industry’s premier cycling challenge that raises funds in support of ACRP educational scholarships—including attendance at ACRP’s annual conference—for entry-level clinical research professionals from diverse communities. Every dollar raised will help increase access to education, training, and career advancement in clinical research for people from historically underserved communities. By supporting the ACRP Ride4DEI, you’re helping to move the people and practice of clinical research forward.

Meet the Riders

The ACRP Ride4DEI is a 6-day, 355-mile grueling journey—through the mountains and mud terrain—from Pittsburgh, PA, to Washington, DC, that supports the career growth of clinical research professionals from diverse communities.

This self-supported endurance challenge will be led by Sergio Armani, David Morin, and Scott Chatterton, ACRP advocates for diversity and inclusion in the clinical research workforce. The ride is described as a life-changing experience—the resilience they need to push through to the finish line comes from our mission and their dedication.

NEW in 2023, the ride saw its first West Coast volunteer, Justin Chia, who rode 360 miles over 6 days to match the East Coast team’s journey, all for the great cause of raising money for scholarships to increase workplace diversity in clinical research.

“As the leading workforce association in clinical research, ACRP has a responsibility to ensure that all people can embark—and advance—in a clinical research career without prejudice. My hope is that ACRP’s Ride4DEI will raise money for needed scholarships and serve as a catalyst for researchers who desire greater access to career opportunities.”

– Sergio Armani, ACRP Ride4DEI Creator, and EVP, Business Development, Helios Clinical Research

“Increasing workforce diversity is an excellent way to improve participation rates for racial and ethnic minorities currently underrepresented in clinical trials. ACRP Ride4DEI donations will provide scholarships to the next generation of research professionals in support of these goals.”

David Morin, MD, FACP, CPI, FACRP, ACRP Board of Trustees Member, ACRP Ride4DEI cyclist, and Director of Research, Holston Medical Group

“Everyone should have an equal opportunity to pursue their dreams. My goal is to raise awareness and funds to support clinical researchers from historically underserved communities. Representation matters; together, we can increase access to career opportunities and propel research forward.”

Scott Chatterton, ACRP Ride4DEI cyclist, and Senior Director of Business Development, Javara

About Your Donation

With an ambitious fundraising goal of $120,000 for 2023, we are proud to share that $79,375 was raised from more than 120 corporate sponsors and individual donors. Donations will be allocated to scholarships, including attendance at ACRP’s annual conference for entry-level clinical research professionals from diverse communities.

ACRP’s scholarship opportunities support access and advancement for clinical research professionals from diverse minority groups. Scholarship recipients are identified and selected through the ACRP Diversity Advisory Council.

if you are interested in supporting the 2024 ride as a corporate donor, rider, or individual fundraiser, please contact the ride’s creator, Sergio Armani at cyclist.sergio@gmail.com.

ACRP Ride4DEI Supporters

We are incredibly grateful to the 122 corporate sponsors and individual donors who support our mission to increase access to education, training, and career advancement in clinical research for people from historically underserved communities.

Breakaway Sponsors – $10,000+

 

Platinum Sponsors – $5,000 – $9,999

Javara • Lightship

Gold Sponsor – $2,500 – $4,999

Moderna

Silver Sponsors – $1,000 – $2,499

Acclinate • Advanced Group of Companies • Bold Industries Group, Inc. • Devana Solutions • DM Clinical Research • DeboGrah and Dennis Driscoll • Evans Family Foundation • Florence Healthcare • FOMAT Medical Research • Holston Medical Group • Lucas Research • Reveles • Susan Landis

Bronze Sponsors – $500 – $999

Deep 6 AI • Greenphire • Parexel • Premier Inc. • RealTime Software Solutions • SiteBridge Research • VersaTrial • Sergio Armani • Christine Senn • Christina Brennan • Dan Kearney • Tiffany Mayo • Bill Thomas and Chantal Jauvin • Jennifer Sheller • Carmela Shabazz • Dawn Barnes • Damon Stoner • Anonymous Supporters

Peloton Club – $1 – $499

David Morin • T. Thomas • Rick Whiles • Virginia Nido • Laura Cardarelli Murphy • Andy Short • Scott Chatterton • Stephanie Bolick • Evan Gothard • Adam Samson • Cerdi Beltre • Glenda Guest • Denise McDade • Rick Fisher • Jane Martin • Kara Bastarache • Elizabeth Harders • Marc Fregoe • William Kuttruff • Kylie Scheideler • Erin & Michael Muse • Patrick Lee • Michael Newman • Brooke Keith • Lisa Townsend • Gary Cramer • Minette Ty • Michael Newman • Denise McDade • Rick Fisher • Stephanie Pyle • Jim Park • Chris Heinzinger • Payla Hilbert • Tanisha Patel • Lauren Foreman • Jeni Prescott • Heather Wilson • Colleen Tenan • Chris Gantz Christopher Helker • Julie Mansson • Michael Smith • Don Fenley • Yonjong Choi • Clare Hurt • Gary Cardarelli • Edward Como • Scott Michael Mapes • Jeanne Hecht • Joseph Ley • Mo Ali • Angela Costagliola • Sheila Miller • Jim Kremidas • Matt Smith • Daniel Calvert • Samantha Eells • Hua Ye • Mike Duffy • Alexandria Curlow • Jeffrey Smyth • Emily Simpson • Stacey Richardson • Viljena Trask • Kevin Bickford • Adriana Choquehuanca • Roger Bays • Zach Paulovits • Emily Hubbs • Meghan McKenzie • Steven Gonzalez • Sherry Lee • Dee Tilley • Tess Duke • Emily Morin • Devana Solutions • Otis Johnson • Gary Cramer • Daniel Browne • Christy Herz • Cassidy Taylor • Nick Spittal • Anushka Loomba • Monica Pastor • Doug Cassidy • Anonymous Supporters

The Association of Clinical Research Professionals (ACRP) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Donations made to the ACRP Ride4DEI are tax-deductible. If you have questions about tax deductions, please contact a tax professional. If you would like more details about the ACRP Ride4DEI, please contact us.