Unlock the Future of Clinical Trials at SOCRA’s First-Ever DCT Conference This April

Jessica Rowe, MA, MS, CCRP, CIP

SOCRA President

Join us April 4-5, 2024, for this new program on Decentralized Clinical Trials (DCT) in charming Savannah, GA. Spearheaded by Jessica Rowe, President of SOCRA  and a passionate advocate for DCTs, this event is designed to clarify and explore the multifaceted world of DCTs. Over two days, attendees will gain comprehensive insights into the operational, regulatory, and ethical dimensions of DCTs, understanding how they are reshaping clinical research to be more inclusive and patient-centered.

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Inside the 2024 SOCRA Oncology Clinical Trials Conference: Insights from Program Chairs Tammy Neseth & Susanna Sellmann 

Tammy Neseth

MA, CCRP, CIP

Susanna Sellmann

RTT, BS, CCRP

Oncology Clinical Trials Conference I March 13-15, 2024 I San Antonio, TX 

As the winter chill envelops much of North America, a warm and exciting opportunity awaits oncology clinical trial professionals. SOCRA’s annual Oncology Clinical Trials Conference is set to brighten San Antonio, TX this March. This pivotal event, co-chaired by 2023 SOCRA President’s Award Winner Tammy Neseth, MA, CCRP, CIP, and SOCRA Past-President, Susanna Sellmann, RTT, BS, CCRP, has evolved into an indispensable resource for oncology-focused clinical trials knowledge, networking opportunities, and avenues for professional growth. 

In a recent conversation with Tammy and Susanna, they shared their insights into the conference’s inception, evolution, and what attendees can expect. 

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2024 Pediatric Clinical Trials Conference Preview: A Conversation with Conference Co-Chairs Lisa Benson & Grace Wentzel

Grace Wentzel (GW)

CCRP, CHRC

Lisa Benson (LB)

BS, CRCP

We’re thrilled to announce the 11th annual Pediatric Clinical Trials Conference, which is set to take place February 22-23, 2024, in San Diego, CA. To uncover the vision, evolution, and passion behind the upcoming event, we sat down with conference organizers Lisa Benson, BS, CRCP (LB), and Grace Wentzel, CCRP, CHRC (GW). Join us as we share their insights and reflect on the impact this critical event continues to have on pediatric clinical research. 

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Reflecting on SOCRA’s 32nd Annual Conference

From September 29 to October 1, 2023, Montreal’s Convention Center was buzzing at the 32nd SOCRA Annual Conference, marking our triumphant return to in-person interactions for the first time in three years. The atmosphere was electric, with the charm of old Montreal as the backdrop and nearly a thousand attendees.

The conference hosted 105 speakers, featured 53 exhibitors, and showcased 74 poster presenters. Additionally, we were honored to welcome international attendees, with representation from 14 countries. Among this diverse crowd, there was an undeniable sense of enthusiasm at the Welcome Reception and throughout the event, as attendees engaged in discussions, networking, and anticipation of what the conference had in store.

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Catching up with 2023 SOCRA President’s Award Winner Tammy Neseth, MA, CCRP, CIP

Tammy Neseth, MA, CCRP, CIP

The global clinical research community will converge live and in-person from September 29 – October 1 at SOCRA’s 2023 Annual Conference in Montreal, QC, Canada. During the event, we will present the President’s Award to Tammy Neseth, MA, CCRP, CIP, in recognition of her exceptional service and commitment to SOCRA’s mission.  

With a foundational career at the Mayo Clinic focusing on colorectal cancer screening, Tammy has worked extensively in the clinical research regulatory and compliance sectors. Her journey includes pivotal roles, most notably as the Director of Operations for the Mayo Clinic Institutional Review Board.  A Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota graduate, Tammy has been a dedicated member of SOCRA since 2003, undertaking leadership positions including (but not limited to) co-chairing the SOCRA Oncology Conference and the SOCRA Site Coordinator / Manager Workshop, leading the SOCRA Southeast Minnesota Chapter, and serving on the SOCRA Certification Committee and Board of Directors. 

Join us as we delve into a candid conversation with Tammy about her career journey, her take on clinical research, her experience with SOCRA, and a wealth of insights and inspiration. 

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Using Evidence-Informed Practices to Improve eConsent

Authors: Annie B. Friedrich, PhD, Erin D. Solomon, PhD, Jessica Mozersky, PhD, & James M. DuBois, DSc, PhD

Author affiliation (all authors): Bioethics Research Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA

With funding from the National Institutes of Health, our team at Washington University School of Medicine developed an online toolkit, ConsentTools.org, to make consent processes in clinical trials more effective and efficient. It shares information, resources, brief videos, and tools to help clinical research professionals implement several evidence-informed consent practices. These include:

  • Using plain language
  • Using appropriate formatting
  • Assessing for understanding

Randomized controlled trials demonstrated that using these practices can increase participants’ understanding and appreciation of consent information.[1, 2] In this blog post, we explore how to adapt these practices when using eConsent in clinical trials.

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Back Together: 11 Irresistible Reasons to Attend the *Live and In-Person* SOCRA 2023 Annual Conference

Jennifer Li, BSc, CCRP, SOCRA Board President
Quality Manager, Cancer Clinical Research Unit
Princess Margaret Cancer Centre / University Health Network
Toronto, Ontario, Canada

SOCRA’s Annual Conference has been successfully carried out virtually for the past three years. Each event was carefully curated to deliver personal experiences through interactive sessions and virtual meeting spaces for attendees to connect. Despite our best efforts, physical gatherings have a unique energy that virtual platforms can only partially capture. “There’s a powerful dynamic in face-to-face interactions,” said SOCRA Board President, Jenn Li. “It’s in the spontaneous, organic exchanges in hallways and during coffee breaks where some of the most inspiring ideas are born.” And with this in mind, we are delighted that the SOCRA 32nd Annual Conference will be in person this year! 

As we prepare to convene in Montreal, QC, Canada, from September 29 to October 1, 2023, we caught up with Jenn to uncover some of the compelling reasons that make this year’s event a must-go for clinical research professionals. Join us as we delve into the top eleven reasons to attend – and stick around for Jenn’s favorite tips for optimizing your conference experience.  

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Celebrating Clinical Trials Day 2023: Let’s Raise Awareness & Honor Research Professionals

May 20th marks Clinical Trials Day (CTD), an annual day of celebration and reflection for the clinical research community. This date commemorates the day in 1747 when James Lind launched the first-ever clinical trial, laying the foundation for modern clinical research. Since 2005, CTD has been celebrated internationally to raise awareness about the importance of clinical trials and honor clinical research professionals’ contributions.  

In this article, we’ll explore why it’s important to raise awareness about clinical trials and how we can honor the invaluable work of research professionals on this special day. In addition, we’ll explain why supporting and celebrating the people who dedicate their lives to improving public health through clinical research is more important than ever. So, let’s kick off the celebration of Clinical Trials Day 2023 together! 

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My Seat at the (Institutional Review Board) Table

Lauren Surden, MSW, CIP 

Sterling IRB 

I often get asked about the education and experience needed to be selected to serve on an Institutional Review Board (IRB).  The fallback response is that I hold a Master’s degree in Social Work (MSW), however, my education and work experience is only part of what I bring to my seat at the IRB table.  Understanding who makes up an IRB is important in understanding the ethical review process for clinical research. 

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Developing a Test Taking Plan when Pursuing Professional Certifications

Laura R. Holtz

MS, PMP, CCRP

Jessica Rowe

MA, MS, CCRP, CIP

People pursue certifications for various reasons. Some pursue certification for professional credibility or recognition, while others aim to meet position requirements for job opportunities. “Certification demonstrates your commitment to superior professionalism, to upholding industry standards, and for continued learning (www.mbopartners.com).” Regardless of the motivation, all test takers want to be successful. In our respective roles, we are often approached by research professionals with questions about certification and about taking a certification exam. We rely on our backgrounds to construct a reply. Laura Holtz has a background as a teacher and as a project manager. She relies on her experience in those roles to provide guidance regarding certification. Jessica Rowe has a background in academia and in instructing adult students enrolled in graduate courses. She calls upon that experience to provide tips and tools for successfully pursuing professional certification. Of course, both authors rely on their own experiences pursuing their certifications when answering related questions.

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