UAMS’ Amy Jo Jenkins to Lead International Society of Clinical Research Professionals Board

By David Robinson

SOCRA, a nonprofit, charitable and educational membership organization, provides an internationally recognized certification program for clinical research professionals (CCRP®).

Jenkins founded the Arkansas SOCRA chapter in 2011. It has been recognized a record six consecutive years by the international association for providing the most continuing education hours of any of its 63 chapters. She was elected to the SOCRA Board of Directors in 2016 and will become president in 2019.

“I believe education empowers people to be outstanding in both their personal lives and professional careers,” said Jenkins, also an instructor in the UAMS colleges of Public Health and Pharmacy. “As president, I will work with the Board of Directors to further establish SOCRA as the global leader in clinical research education and professional certification. It will be a privilege to serve the diverse and robust clinical research workforce that makes up SOCRA’s membership.”

Clinical research professionals certified by SOCRA work with volunteer participants in studies at UAMS’ main campus in Little Rock and clinics across the state, including its eight regional campuses, Arkansas Children’s Research Institute, and the Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System.

“The continuing education we provide ultimately improves the quality of research in our state,” Jenkins said. “This will be evident for anyone who volunteers as a research participant.”

 

UAMS is the state’s only health sciences university, with colleges of Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Health Professions and Public Health; a graduate school; hospital; northwest Arkansas regional campus; statewide network of regional centers; and seven institutes: the Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute, Jackson T. Stephens Spine & Neurosciences Institute, Myeloma Institute, Harvey & Bernice Jones Eye Institute, Psychiatric Research Institute, Donald W. Reynolds Institute on Aging and Translational Research Institute. It is the only adult Level 1 trauma center in the state. UAMS has 2,834 students, 822 medical residents and six dental residents. It is the state’s largest public employer with more than 10,000 employees, including 1,200 physicians who provide care to patients at UAMS, its regional campuses throughout the state, Arkansas Children’s Hospital, the VA Medical Center and Baptist Health. Visit www.uams.edu or www.uamshealth.com. Find us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube or Instagram.