My clinical research consultation work includes my involvement with the Mycoses Study Group Education and Research Consortium. In 2013 I was approached by the Principal Investigator of the group, Peter Pappas, MD to assist him as a part-time consultant in re-imaging the MSG into a non-profit charitable organization. We are happy to say that as of December 2014, we have obtained 501c3 status from the U.S. Internal Revenue Service. The group has a three prong mission: Research, Scholarship and Education. Our website features the global nature of our group membership, the scholarly impact made in the development of drugs and diagnostic tests for invasive fungal infections, our thought leadership in developing world-wide treatment and diagnostic guidelines and continuing education are world renowned. I work with this group (20% effort) as a Consultant Executive Director, through an official mechanism granted by OSU that allows nursing faculty to have a faculty practice. This is my faculty practice, serving in the role of a clinical research director and executive.
I had a previous tenure with the MSG when it was a group funded by the NIH NIAID DMID as a contract (separate 5 year contracts from 1978 – 2005). The MSG Central Unit (Coordinating Center) was based in the Division of Infectious Diseases at University of Alabama at Birmingham under the direction and leadership of William Dismukes, MD. My role began as study coordinator and evolved to Central Unit Administrator. In that role, I assisted in the development of clinical research concept proposals, study protocols, case report forms, standard operating procedures, manuals of procedures, lists of responsibilities and data review committee processes. In addition to the clinical research skill-sets, managing a multi-million dollar NIH contract afforded me skills in project management, business management and personnel management. Those are important skill-sets for clinical nurse leaders and executives.
Working with the MSGERC offers me an opportunity to stay involved in evidence-based practice and clinical research. It has been gratifying to be able to stay abreast of current trends in clinical research and share those experiences with my MACPR students.
