The Ponce Medical School Foundation, Inc (PMSF) joins the Puerto Rico Consortium for Clinical Investigation (PRCCI), a nation-wide initiative to accelerate clinical research in Puerto Rico
Ponce, Puerto Rico, December 13h, 2016 – The Ponce Medical School Foundation, Inc. (PMSF) a leading Puerto Rican research organization part of the Ponce Health Sciences University (PHSU), announced that it is joining the Puerto Rico Consortium for Clinical Investigation (PRCCI), a non-profit collaborative of top academic and private research sites in Puerto Rico that is revolutionizing clinical research on the island.
Clinical research is at the heart of all medical advances, as it determines how effective and safe a treatment is and how it is best delivered. The need for clinical research is even more pressing in U.S.A. areas such as Puerto Rico given the chronic underrepresentation of minorities in clinical trials. By joining PRCCI, the Ponce Research Institute will achieve synergies on access to research opportunities on some of the most important global health challenges of our time as well as on clinical research quality and speed of execution. Both organizations will contribute together to the growth of clinical research in Puerto Rico and will ultimately help improve medical care for future generations of Puerto Ricans.
Dr. Kenira Thompson, President of the Ponce Research Institute, said: “We are very excited to be joining PRCCI! This is a key step for us in our mission to make a difference by bringing more innovative research to the island and to help Puerto Rican patients get access to better treatment. Our collaboration with PRCCI and the other 18 members of the Consortium will take place on clinical trials but also on enabling activities such as training, data integration, and biobanking.”
Dr. Kosmas Kretsos, Executive Director of PRCCI, added “The Ponce Research Institute’s impressive research track record speaks for itself, and the consortium is extremely proud to welcome it to the PRCCI family of 19 members. The Consortium has seen tremendous growth and delivered impactful results in its first 8 months of operations. However, today, we are joined by one of the best research sites in Puerto Rico with integrated capabilities and devotion to quality. Today we are closer in realizing the important vision of PRCCI, competing as one to enhance and promote clinical research and development for the benefit of patients, the Puerto Rican economy and global scientific innovation.”
PRCCI express appreciation to Dr. David Lenihan, President of the PHSU; Dr. Kenira Thompson, President of the PRI and Dr. Elizabeth Barranco, Director of CAIMED, who were instrumental in developing this partnership.
PRCCI was brought to life by the Puerto Rico Science, Technology & Research Trust, a non-profit organization created in 2004 whose mission is to invest, facilitate and build capacity to continually advance Puerto Rico’s economy and its citizen’s well-being through innovation-driven enterprises, science and technology and its industrial base.
For more information: www.prcci.org ; https://www.psm.edu
About PRCCI: Established in April 2016, PRCCI is a not-for-profit cooperative of top academic and private research sites. It aims to enhance clinical research speed and quality by driving performance and efficiencies across its sites, leveraging strategic partnerships, and establishing world-class capabilities. Its vision is to promote and enhance clinical research and development for the benefit of patients, the Puerto Rican economy and global scientific innovation.
About the PRSTR: The Puerto Rico Science, Technology & Research Trust is a private non-profit organization created in 2004 to encourage and promote the innovation, the transfer and commercialization of technology, and the creation of jobs in the technology sector. Is also responsible for Puerto Rico’s public policy for science, technology, research and development. Its mission is to invest, facilitate and build capacity to continually advance Puerto Rico’s economy and its citizens’ well-being through innovation-driven enterprises, science and technology and its industrial base. With a vision that by 2022. Puerto Rico is a globally recognized innovation hub that develops, attracts, and retains scientists, technology entrepreneurs, and enterprises to unlock world class creativity and competitiveness.
About the Ponce Health Sciences University and Ponce Research Institute: Ponce Health Sciences University (PHSU) is dedicated to providing the highest quality graduate education programs available in medicine, clinical psychology, biomedical sciences, and public health in order to prepare world-class, culturally competent health professionals to better serve a growing population of Hispanic patients across the United States. Located in Ponce, Puerto Rico, PHSU is recognized both in Puerto Rico and abroad for its educational service and research achievements. Ponce Research Institute is the Research arm of PHSU, and is home to the CAIMED Clinical Trial Center, which has participated in over 275 Phase I-IV clinical trials during the last 16 years. PRI also houses the Puerto Rico Biobank, which is the first tumor repository for Hispanic cancer patients; the Regional E-Health Center, which has provided the infrastructure for electronic medical record implementation in over 6,000 medical practices in Puerto Rico; the largest enhanced surveillance platform for febrile illnesses in the Americas; and is a recipient of the esteemed NIH U54 grant focused on reducing Hispanic cancer health disparities.