As the largest medical city in the world, Texas Medical Center is dedicated to advancing medicine and providing the best medical care to greater Houston and beyond. One key to staying on the cutting edge is continued clinical research training.
The Education and Training Committee at TMC is comprised of representatives from each of our 60+ member institutions. Led by chairperson Aryn Knight, BS, CCRP, the committee set out to gather and streamline research, education, and training for research teams across TMC, establishing the METS program. Knight works closely with the member institutions to develop the mission and membership requirements while planning monthly trainings that cover a range of topics, curated by the latest headlines and industry trends. From the importance of diversity in the clinical research industry to emerging technologies’ effects on the industry, these programs provide clinical researchers with educational opportunities they would not find elsewhere. On top of unique education, attendees receive continued education credits through the Society of Clinical Research Associates (SOCRA).
Since going entirely virtual in early 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Knight and her team have opened up training events to anyone outside of the Texas Medical Center, generating large audiences month after month of researchers looking to stay ahead of the evolving industry. The February METS program was a “back to basics” session, where clinical researchers heard from top TMC experts and delved into the importance of informed consent, research documentation accountability, research regulatory reporting, and more within their work. The February session featured over 1,400 participants from across the country with over 6,200 hours of SOCRA credit received. Attendees joined in on the virtual session from as close as the Texas Medical Center campus and as far away as California, Minnesota, and Washington DC.
Clinical research is an essential stepping stone towards furthering the cutting-edge medical innovation that happens at the Texas Medical Center every day. The METS program hosted by the Education and Training Committee ensures that the TMC continues to advance medicine and establish its role as a changemaker in the industry.