SHP Clinical Research Management Program Hosts Clinical Trials Day Event

Rutgers School of Health Professions (SHP) joined institutions across the globe in celebrating Clinical Trials Day on May 20 by hosting the state’s largest multi-site event.

Our Master of Science in Clinical Research Management (CRM) program brought together researchers, clinicians, students, and faculty across three institutions: University Hospital in Newark, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, and the Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey — with the New Jersey Alliance for Clinical and Translational Science (NJ ACTS) as a collaborative partner.

Opening the celebration was Barbara Tafuto, assistant professor and interim program director of the CRM program.

“The scope of this celebration is a reflection of the dedication of Rutgers Health to clinical research — and how many people in this ecosystem are committed to getting it right,” she said.

Tafuto also spotlighted two future initiatives for clinicians: SHP’s 2027 inaugural Principal Investigator Certificate Program in CRM and the upcoming NJ ACTS Principal Investigator Badge — both designed for practitioners ready to take the next step toward leading their own trials.

To the students at the event, she said, “You chose well. This field will ask a lot of you and give back more than you expect.”

Clinical Trials Day is observed annually to honor the clinical research workforce and to commemorate Scottish ship surgeon James Lind — who in 1747 started what is believed to be the first randomized clinical trial.

The day’s lineup included a video message by U.S. Senator Andy Kim underscoring the national importance of clinical research investment. Other speakers were Rutgers Health Vice Chancellor Reynold Panettieri and Rutgers Health Provost, Jeffrey L. Carson. Nadina Jose, assistant professor in the CRM program, led the events at Robert Wood Johnson Hospital.