88 - Advancing Diversity in Clinical Research through the Clinical Research Coordinator Certificate (CRCC) Program

Background:  Diverse staff significantly correlates with increased recruitment and retention of volunteers from diverse backgrounds into studies, as it helps build trust and understanding. However, Black and Hispanic research coordinators are underrepresented in the field at 3.3% and 9%, respectively. Career pathways and professional development are essential to address this need.

Program

Description:  The Clinical Research Coordinator Certificate (CRCC) program includes a 3-month online course with twelve modules on topics such as study design, ethics, recruitment, data management, and study monitoring, concluding with a 1-day, on-campus workshop for skill-building and competency certification. Leveraging recruitment resources from its Historically Black College and University base, the program collaborates with Black Women in Clinical Research (BWICR) and Noir Research Collective to attract students from underrepresented backgrounds. A structured mentorship program tracks and facilitates mentoring sessions. In Year 2, the program will establish a paid internship and job placement pipeline, with plans to expand to community colleges in Year 3.

Program

Assessment:  The CRCC Program launched its first cohort on April 3, 2023, and has since enrolled 54 scholars, 86% of whom identify as Black or African American. To date, 38 participants have graduated with 94% identifying as women. Community Physician Partners view the program as an avenue to strengthen their research capacity, with six graduates now employed within their network. The program has tracked 106 mentorship sessions, provided approximately $10,000 in scholarships, and sponsored one student and a table at the BWICR annual conference. The fifth cohort begins on January 2, 2025, with upcoming plans to expand partnerships for job placements, offer internships, and replicate the program statewide in technical colleges. Currently, a CIPP-based evaluation is underway to assess the program’s impact on workforce diversity and professional development.

Limitations: The preliminary assessment provided actionable recommendations for enhancing the CRCC Program’s impact on workforce diversity in clinical research. Key suggestions include expanding alumni support and fostering stronger collaboration with industry and healthcare partners.

Discussion: In Winter 2023, the CRCC program was designated as a pathway for the Master of Science in Health Informatics (MSHI) and Master of Science in Clinical Research (MSCR) degrees at Morehouse School of Medicine, expanding students' educational and career opportunities. The program's clinical and translational impact lies in its ability to increase workforce diversity in clinical research, fostering more inclusive trials that represent diverse populations. This contributes to advancing health equity, enhancing the generalizability of research outcomes, and ensuring clinical trials are relevant and effective across demographic groups.