2008 Clinical Research Educational Conference 
Northwestern Memorial Hospital
Friday, May 16, 2008

Sponsored by The Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine and the Northwestern University Clinical and Translational Sciences (NUCATS) Institute in collaboration with the Association of Clinical Research Professionals (ACRP). 

Biography:
Dr. Whalen is currently on the Board of Directors of the Pharmaceutical Safety Institute and the Institute's Vice President.  He is a Principal of the consulting firm IMPACT LLC that primarily supports US. federal government agencies' change and coalition-building efforts.  Dr. Whalen is also Vice Chair of ACRP's journal, The Monitor; and on the Board of Directors and Executive Committee of a new Foundation for improving education, a partnership with the Edison Foundation.

Previously, he co-founded Chesapeake Research Review, Inc., a biomedical research service firm.

Dr. Whalen frequently speaks at international and national conferences, and publishes, on global research challenges, safety/pharmacovigilance, leadership, ethics, public policy, and clinical research.

Session:
Much Ado About Safety: A Crisis for Research? presented by Matthew D. Whalen,  Ph.D., Board of Directors and Vice President, the Pharmaceutical Safety Institute

Summary:  
A frenzy of attention about the safety of therapies, both experimental and approved, continues: Congressional debates, worldwide investigative journalism, litigation, and regulatory reform.  This session attempts to make sense for clinical research professionals of what has been called a “global crisis”.       

Objectives:
1.  Obtain an overview and understanding of the safety system
2. Identify key dimensions and issues of the “culture of safety” and the lack of public confidence in research and healthcare
3.  Interpret safety in the context of clnical research professionals’ development, while appreciating the need for, and dimensions of, safety reform

Questions?
For more information on this event to to be included on our mailing list for future activities, please email us at nucats-ed@northwestern.edu.  For questions during the conference on Friday, May 16, 2008, please call 312-926-2383.