CRT

The deadline to submit an application was Jan. 12, 2024.

The ACC and its Diversity and Inclusion Committee invite interested cardiologists, surgeons and PhD trained cardiovascular researchers to apply for the Clinical Trials Research (CTR) program, a year-long opportunity designed to enhance careers and skills in clinical research.

In line with goals of the ACC's Diversity and Inclusion Initiative, this program is intended to increase the number of individuals historically underrepresented in cardiology (URCs) who serve as leaders in cardiovascular clinical trials research. URCs are currently defined by the ACC as women, African Americans, Native Americans and Hispanics.

Through this effort, the ACC strives to ensure diversity of thought, experience and perspective, and ensure that the evidence base includes data more closely reflecting the demographics of actual cardiovascular patients. The Association of Black Cardiologists is a welcome collaborator in this effort.

Program Description

The CTR program includes three in-person sessions at ACC's Heart House in Washington, DC, a series of webinar presentations and discussions, and crafting an original research proposal to be considered for a one-year research award.

Participants will learn about clinical trials research, network with nationally recognized clinical trialists, investigators, regulatory stakeholders, and industry leaders, and develop a personal career action plan.

New This Year: REACH SHD Cohort

The CTR program will select a dedicated group of physician learners specializing in structural heart disease (SHD). The purpose of this SHD cohort is to increase Research Equity and Access for Cardiac Health (REACH) in SHD programs across the U.S. Selected SHD physicians within the CTR program will be referred to as the "REACH SHD Cohort."

REACH SHD Cohort

Session Topics

  • Overview of drug and device development process.
  • Anatomy, structure, funding and organization of clinical trials research.
  • Critical role of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and other regulatory bodies.
  • How to access clinical trial leadership roles.
  • How to excel as a clinical trials researcher.
  • Future of clinical trials research.
  • Finding funding to match your proposed research.
  • Identify and refine research questions, establish networking and collaborations.
  • Components of a fundable grant or industry research proposal.
  • Research data sources and resources.
  • Fundamentals of data analysis.
  • Creating a personal action plan for a clinical trials career.
  • Special curriculum for structural heart disease specialists (for REACH SHD learners).

Online Application

Those selected for the program will receive support for travel expenses, including coach airfare and two -night hotel for each of the three in-person sessions in Washington, DC.

Eligibility Criteria & Selection

This program is open to cardiologists and surgeons who have completed CV specialty or CT surgery training by 2023, and doctorate-level educated researchers who have completed post- doctoral training by 2023.

Applicants must be current ACC members and they must have participated in at least one ACC live program within previous 12 months including, but not limited to, the Annual Scientific Session, ACC educational courses, and ACC's Legislative Conference.

Applicants must be available to attend all three in-person sessions held in Washington, DC and scheduled for:

June 20-21, 2024
Nov. 7-8, 2024
Feb. 27-28, 2025

Criteria for selection will include:

  • Strength of personal statement describing appropriate and realistic clinical trials research goals given current career stage and demonstrating clear appreciation of how the program can help advance these goals.
  • Strength of letter of support from research mentor, department chair, or division chief describing:
    • Mentorship plan for the candidate.
    • Current protected research time/effort (if not currently protected, what future protected research time/effort might be contingent on).
    • Current and future research leadership opportunities within the organization.

Individuals historically underrepresented in cardiology (women, Black/African Americans, Native Americans/Indigenous Peoples, and Hispanic/Latinx) are encouraged to apply.

How to Apply

Submit a complete online application by Jan. 12, 2024.

Selected applicants will receive their formal invitation to attend by Feb. 15, 2024. Selected and confirmed applicants will receive support for travel expenses, including coach airfare and two-night hotel for each of the three in-person sessions in Washington, DC.

For questions, please contact diversity@acc.org.

CTR Program Committee Co-Chairs

Wayne Batchelor, MD, FACC
Inova Heart & Vascular Institute

Pamela S. Douglas, MD, MACC
Duke University

Tracy Wang, MD, MS, MHS, FACC
Patient Centered Outcomes Research Institute

Mary Norine Walsh, MD, MACC
St. Vincent Heart Center of Indianapolis

Melvin Echols, MD, FACC
American College of Cardiology
Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer

CTR Steering Committee

LaPrincess Brewer, MD, FACC
Mayo Clinic

Megan Coylewright, MD, MPH, FACC
Erlanger Health System

Anne Curtis, MD, FACC
University of Buffalo

Howard M. Julien, MD, MPH, FACC
University of Pennsylvania

Eldrin Lewis, MD, FACC
Stanford University School of Medicine

Donald Lynch, MD (representative, Association of Black Cardiologists)
University of Cincinnati

Roxana Mehran, MD, FACC
Mount Sinai

Jennifer Mieres, MD, FACC
Hofstra School of Medicine/Northwell

Nicole Redmond, MD
National Institutes of Health

Shashank Sinha, MD, FACC
Inova Heart & Vascular Institute

Thank you in advance for being part of the process to ensure the College – and cardiology – achieves the inclusive clinical trials workforce required to realize its mission of transforming cardiovascular care and improving heart health for all.

The 2024 CTR and REACH SHD program is made possible through generous support from Medtronic.