Clinical Research Learning Institute

You can contribute to the development of new treatments and a cure for Parkinson's. How?

Apply to PDF’s Clinical Research Learning Institute, a three-day training that prepares people living with Parkinson’s disease to serve as advocates within the clinical research process.

Clinical Research Learning Institute 2010
Thursday, October 21 – Saturday, October 23, 2010
Florham Park, NJ
Please note that the application period for the 2010 Learning Institute is now closed.

 

• Program Overview
• Why the Clinical Research Learning Institute?
• Apply to the 2010 Learning Institute
• Learn About our Graduates
• 2010 Planning Committee Members

Overview

The PDF Clinical Research Learning Institute is an annual multi-day training for people living with Parkinson’s disease.  It trains participants to serve as advocates within the clinical research process, in order to improve the development of new treatments and find a cure for Parkinson's.

The training includes educational sessions and break-out workshops led by leading clinical researchers, study coordinators, government and industry representatives and former Learning Institute graduates. 

Graduates are prepared to:

• Educate their communities about clinical study participation
• Work with industry and academia to ensure the voices of people living with Parkinson’s are heard
• Serve as formal representatives on clinical research review and advisory boards (e.g., Institutional Review Boards and Data Safety Monitoring Boards)
• Make a difference in Parkinson’s disease research

After the Learning Institute, PDF offers ongoing educational and networking opportunities, where graduates regularly share knowledge and compare best practices.

 

Why the Clinical Research Learning Institute?

The strength of the Parkinson’s disease movement, like many other causes, rests primarily in the advocacy efforts of the people who live with or are affected by the disease.  There is a critical role that people with PD can play in improving the clinical research process and moving forward the development of PD treatments, yet this perspective is all too often overlooked.

Most of us would probably like to see newer and better treatments for Parkinson’s, and quickly.  But in the final step of the process that brings new treatments to market – clinical studies – there are problems that may be slowing down progress.  For instance, Parkinson’s clinical trials historically have low participation (which causes delays in approval of new therapies) and very little “patient-perspective” built into the process. 

With this in mind, the Clinical Research Learning Institute was created in 2008.

 

Apply to the 2010 Learning Institute

Please note that the application period for the 2010 Learning Institute is now closed.

The Clinical Research Learning Institute will be held in from Thursday, October 21 to Saturday, October 23 in New Jersey.  Space is limited. To be eligible, an applicant must be a person with Parkinson’s disease, living in either the US or Puerto Rico.  For those who are selected to attend the Learning Institute, all expenses (registration, travel, hotel, accommodation, meals, etc.) will be covered by the Parkinson's Disease Foundation.

For more information about this program and/or questions about applying, please contact Ronnie Todaro, Director of National Programs at (800) 457-6676 or info@pdf.org.

 

Graduate Profiles

Since the first Learning Institute took place in 2008, its 70 graduates - also known as Clinical Research Liaisons - have done much to spread the word about Parkinson’s clinical studies. The Advocate Report keeps you abreast of their activities around the US.

Read Profiles of Learning Institute Graduates

 

2010 Learning Institute Planning Committee

PDF thanks for the following individuals for their time, commitment and assistance in planning the 2010 Clinical Research Learning Institute.

• Maureen Cook, R.N.
• Cynthia Entzel (CRLI 2009)
• Linda Herman, M.L.S.
• Christine Hunter, R.N., C.C.R.C.
• Joohi Jimenez-Shahed, M.D.
• Rhona Johnson (PPAC Member)
• Patricia Kavanagh, M.D.
• Linda Morgan, M.B.A., R.Ph. (CRLI 2008)
• Cathi A. Thomas, M.S., R.N., C.N.R.N
• Carolyn Weaver (CRLI 2008)
• Mickie Welsh, R.N., D.N.Sc.
• Paul Zimmet, D.D.S. (CRLI 2009)
• Lin Zhang, M.D., Ph.D.