Thank You for a Successful ACRP 2011 Global Conference, with the Physicians Program
For those of you who were able to join us in Seattle — thank you for attending the ACRP 2011 Global Conference! For those of you who were unable to attend, I wanted to share what an energetic experience it was.
From the initial feedback, the Global Conference was a great success! Seattle welcomed over 2,100 people to the Global Conference — that number includes clinical research professionals, student attendees, knowledgeable speakers, and enthusiastic exhibitors.
Our plenary sessions were inspiring, motivational, and engaging. The audience participation was phenomenal! In an inspirational "conversation" with the audience, Dr. Tadataka "Tachi" Yamada, the President of the Global Health Program at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, gave a plenary presentation titled "Innovation and Global Health" which addressed the needs and pathways of new discovery to find and deliver health solutions around the world. The high-caliber quality of content, presented by several knowledgeable speakers throughout all of our sessions, provided important information on many topics relevant to clinical research professionals — meeting the professional development goals of our attendees.
Another highlight for the Physicians Program was APPI's Policy Forum lunch, which was attended by almost 60 APPI Members and physician attendees interested in the activities of the organization. APPI President and Chairman of the Board, Dr. Jonathan Seltzer, briefed those in attendance on the 2010 APPI Financial Overview, Membership and Physician Certification statistics. Drs. Seltzer, Michael Koren and Chris Allen discussed the Advocacy-Competence-Exchange (ACE) initiatives for the Academy. These initiatives are designed to increase the value proposition of membership.
The APPI Policy Forum discussion focused on physician investigator competence and was moderated by Dr. Koren. A draft of the APPI Physician Investigator Competence Statement was reviewed and copies were shared with those in attendance. Koren also presented the results from a survey using the tool "Ask 100 Doctors" regarding clinical research training for physician investigators. Koren then moderated a discussion using a panel consisting of Drs. Charles Pierce, David Reed, Peter Rheinstein, Samuel Simha and Randy Stoltz, addressing various perspectives on physician investigator competence. The lively exchange of comments and questions from the audience produced a number of key items for APPI leadership to address in future planning for the Academy.
Attendees also had several opportunities to meet new colleagues and connect with "old" friends as one global community. From the 35th Anniversary Celebration and Grand Opening of the Exhibit Hall, with the opportunity to win great prizes and chat with exhibitors, to the many receptions. Of special note was the largest Certification Recognition Ceremony in our history, honoring our first class of professionals to be Certified for 15 consecutive years, as well as our first class of professionals outside of North America to be Certified for 10 consecutive years. What wonderful role models these individuals are to those who are new to clinical research!
I want to especially thank the 2011 Global Conference Planning Committee, all of the volunteers who supported the Global Conference, and the staff for organizing and successfully executing what many considered was "one of the best Global Conferences in ACRP’s history."
JIM THOMASELL is the Executive Director of the Association of Clinical Research Professionals (ACRP) and its affiliates, the Academy of Pharmaceutical Physicians and Investigators (APPI) and the Academy of Clinical Research Professionals (The Academy). The association provides certifications and professional development to 18,000 diverse clinical research professionals around the globe.