20 March 2012
Colleagues
The Research Associates (RAs) Program at St. Vincent’s Medical Center in Bridgeport, Connecticut where more than 1000 students have come over the years to participate in clinical research has expanded to the National Alliance of Research Associates Programs (NARAP).
The current NARAP RA Programs are in the Departments of Emergency Medicine at:
CT Hartford Hospital / UConn Lawrence and Memorial Hospital, New London St. Vincent’s Medical Center, Bridgeport
NV University of Nevada
NY University of Rochester
PA Thomas Jefferson University Hospital
DC Georgetown
TX Seton/University of Texas, Austin
MA University of Massachusetts
VT University of Vermont Medical Center
MO St. Louis University
WA Pullman Regional Hospital
NJ Hackensack University Medical Center
These 13 hospitals with RA programs have joined together to undertake large-scale, multicenter studies in the emergency department (ED). This summer NARAP is conducting research on facilitating tobacco cessation among patients and visitors in the ED. With a projected enrollment of 50,000 to 75,000 participants, this has the potential to be the largest prospective, interventional clinical trial ever done.
We want your students to be a part of this effort.
. One 4-hour shift per week as a minimum requirement allows for full-time work or school
o depending on the number of RAs in a given program, more shifts are available
. RAs have direct patient contact that mirrors the interactions they will have as a physician,
but within the controlled setting of clinical research.
o routinely, RAs each enroll more than 100 patients and visitors per semester in our studies
. Other clinical and research opportunities may be available at each of the RA programs
We are also looking for college graduates to serve as Chief RAs during their year or more between college and medical school.
. Under the guidance of the Program Director,
this is a unique opportunity to serve as a middle manager in a clinical research program.
. Potential for participation in studies from concept development to publication, including authorship
. Kick-start a career in ways that those going directly to health professional school from college cannot do
I’ve attached a couple of PDFs that can be sent out to your students as email attachments or displayed on the cork-board about these opportunities.
More information can be found at www.theNARAP.org and specifically about the RA Program at St. Vincent’s at www.RAProgram.org.
Many thanks for your help in getting the word out about these nationwide clinical opportunities.
I hope to see you in Baltimore at the NAAHP meeting.
Keith Bradley, MD
20 March 2012.docx 
Chief RA, summer 2012.pdf Line RA, summer 2012.pdf
