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Shocked. Desperate. Crying. There I lay in a hospital bed, a young mother, with brainstem anomalies of unknown etiology. Last year, I found myself in this predicament. But quite unexpectedly, over the ensuing months, I found hope from an unexpected source–my ACRP certification and experience.The skills and knowledge I gained from the certification process and working in research became immeasurable. And my new purpose in life has emerged. Some ask: what does your ACRP certification mean to you? It means L.I.F.E - Longterm Influence For Everyone’s health. Hope for me, hope for everyone else in this world suffering from disease. My life, coupled with the diagnosis and certification, has taken on new meaning. And I no longer am the researcher, I am also the researched.
Physicians puzzled over the MRI that brought me to the hospital that October. A battery of infectious disease tests and a lumbar puncture were ordered. Would my life be shortened? Would I fulfill my family/career dreams? Such were the hard questions that constantly ran through my mind during this very bleak time. Then came the results. Results which changed the direction of my life. The answer–MS.
Shortly after diagnosis, something unanticipated started to emerge; a twist in the events which seemed so dire at first: HOPE. The first doctor I met after the horrendous diagnosis conducted clinical trials in her office. A part of me ignited–a small glimmer of hope amid my despair. Maybe just maybe there was a higher purpose for me having this disease, a purpose in being both diagnosed and trained as a CCRC. Could this possibly be a blessing in disguise? Such were the thoughts which stirred in my soul as I started this journey.
The certified researcher in me kicked in. The first time out of the hospital, I could not receive enough knowledge or research about MS. Copaxone®, Tecfidera®, Tysabri®- these were some of the disease-modifying agents I questioned doctors in depth about and researched. The treatments were exquisite–how they worked was a mystery to be understood through research. Knowing these medications had gone through rigorous drug trials gave me peace of mind. As I met with doctors and specialists, I learned of educational opportunities–lectures given by pharmaceutical companies about MS. I started attending them and attend these lectures to this day. As I sit through each lecture, admiring the rigor and intellect of the medical science, I realize countless others, probably who are certified, contributed to this research. My colleagues were on my side! I started to develop a plan to use the skills gained through rigorous ACRP certification and maintenance to work with doctors conducting MS research. I have made this my personal mission. MS now means to me – Many Serious answers to be found! Armed with certification, I can contribute my skills to MS trials, a now personal fight.
My career path: Life is not without ironies. My insatiable thirst for neuroscience knowledge began in high school. I worked hard, and was rewarded by being named valedictorian. My plans: go to medical school, become a neurologist. However, early health issues sidetracked me. I found myself very grateful to finish college in Psychology and begin my life work as a Research Assistant at the med school. After several years as an assistant, I became CRC. As soon as I was eligible, I applied for CCRC exam. Studying for it was eye-opening: I found a latent passion in learning complexities of ICH, GCP, and the CFRs. I eagerly sat for the exam, resulting in the honorable designation as CCRC.
Once certified, my confidence soared and I coordinated trials in very different therapeutic areas. I successfully prepared for several audits, using the skills honed through ACRP. Success in these audits would not have been possible without the thoroughness and training necessitated to achieve and maintain ACRP certification.
My life story isn’t over –the best is yet to come. I share this story because it contrasts despair and hope. Hope made possible through rigorous clinical trials–a field we are so blessed to be certified in. I will maintain my certification with gratitude. I will contribute to the discipline and rigor I learn through ACRP to a cause that has become personal. I will help doctors find answers. Being awarded the privilege to come to my first ACRP convention will be a most powerful tool. Networking and absorbing knowledge will further sharpen my skills and contribute to the impact I leave on this world.
Hope. Improvement. Knowledge. Today there is hope for people suffering. I see ACRP certification in a different light. Not only am I the researched, I am the researcher. I will make a difference, and you will too. Hope rings out for everyone suffering. Remember high standards we uphold directly impacts just the one. It could be someone very close, it could even be you. Let this be our time to cherish our certification and act.
Physicians puzzled over the MRI that brought me to the hospital that October. A battery of infectious disease tests and a lumbar puncture were ordered. Would my life be shortened? Would I fulfill my family/career dreams? Such were the hard questions that constantly ran through my mind during this very bleak time. Then came the results. Results which changed the direction of my life. The answer–MS.
Shortly after diagnosis, something unanticipated started to emerge; a twist in the events which seemed so dire at first: HOPE. The first doctor I met after the horrendous diagnosis conducted clinical trials in her office. A part of me ignited–a small glimmer of hope amid my despair. Maybe just maybe there was a higher purpose for me having this disease, a purpose in being both diagnosed and trained as a CCRC. Could this possibly be a blessing in disguise? Such were the thoughts which stirred in my soul as I started this journey.
The certified researcher in me kicked in. The first time out of the hospital, I could not receive enough knowledge or research about MS. Copaxone®, Tecfidera®, Tysabri®- these were some of the disease-modifying agents I questioned doctors in depth about and researched. The treatments were exquisite–how they worked was a mystery to be understood through research. Knowing these medications had gone through rigorous drug trials gave me peace of mind. As I met with doctors and specialists, I learned of educational opportunities–lectures given by pharmaceutical companies about MS. I started attending them and attend these lectures to this day. As I sit through each lecture, admiring the rigor and intellect of the medical science, I realize countless others, probably who are certified, contributed to this research. My colleagues were on my side! I started to develop a plan to use the skills gained through rigorous ACRP certification and maintenance to work with doctors conducting MS research. I have made this my personal mission. MS now means to me – Many Serious answers to be found! Armed with certification, I can contribute my skills to MS trials, a now personal fight.
My career path: Life is not without ironies. My insatiable thirst for neuroscience knowledge began in high school. I worked hard, and was rewarded by being named valedictorian. My plans: go to medical school, become a neurologist. However, early health issues sidetracked me. I found myself very grateful to finish college in Psychology and begin my life work as a Research Assistant at the med school. After several years as an assistant, I became CRC. As soon as I was eligible, I applied for CCRC exam. Studying for it was eye-opening: I found a latent passion in learning complexities of ICH, GCP, and the CFRs. I eagerly sat for the exam, resulting in the honorable designation as CCRC.
Once certified, my confidence soared and I coordinated trials in very different therapeutic areas. I successfully prepared for several audits, using the skills honed through ACRP. Success in these audits would not have been possible without the thoroughness and training necessitated to achieve and maintain ACRP certification.
My life story isn’t over –the best is yet to come. I share this story because it contrasts despair and hope. Hope made possible through rigorous clinical trials–a field we are so blessed to be certified in. I will maintain my certification with gratitude. I will contribute to the discipline and rigor I learn through ACRP to a cause that has become personal. I will help doctors find answers. Being awarded the privilege to come to my first ACRP convention will be a most powerful tool. Networking and absorbing knowledge will further sharpen my skills and contribute to the impact I leave on this world.
Hope. Improvement. Knowledge. Today there is hope for people suffering. I see ACRP certification in a different light. Not only am I the researched, I am the researcher. I will make a difference, and you will too. Hope rings out for everyone suffering. Remember high standards we uphold directly impacts just the one. It could be someone very close, it could even be you. Let this be our time to cherish our certification and act.
