Program Overview
About: Founded and led by Dr. Kurt Denninghoff, “Research Associates” are a group of undergraduate and post-undergraduate students who volunteer in the Emergency Department (ED) of Banner – University Medical Center Tucson to screen patients for various clinical research studies. Students work in four-hour shifts and engage with the physicians, nurses, and other ED staff responsible for the care of the ED patients. The program provides students the opportunity to explore healthcare while interacting with a diverse population of patients, helping to prepare them for futures in the industry. Students can either enter the program through the RAP application or the EMD493B class.
Our Mission: To provide undergraduate and graduate students with the opportunity to participate in aiding clinical research and to provide improvement on interactions with patients and healthcare providers in the emergency room.
Our Purpose: Through the program, students can improve their bedside manner and hone their ability to interact with healthcare professionals and patients in a critical care environment. They also become more familiar with the clinical research process and gain the ability to consent and enroll patients in clinical research studies.
