Newman Recognized for Clinical Research Excellence

By Marty Trieschmann

Newman received the Bonny Hope Wallace Excellence in Human Subject Research Award at the Annual Clinical Research Specialist Awards Ceremony held Dec. 9. The event was hosted by the UAMS Office of Research and Compliance.

Each year, members of the UAMS CRS program choose someone who works directly in human subject research and demonstrates the following characteristics:

  • Dedication to the subject
  • Respect for subject’s sacrifice
  • Devotion to research integrity
  • Commitment to mentoring
  • Enthusiasm for learning

Newman, who has worked at UAMS for more than 30 years, was praised by her colleagues in the Cancer Institute.

“Priscilla serves a critical role on our team, ensuring that all of our clinical trials meet regulatory guidelines,” said Matt Kovak, director of the Cancer Institute’s Clinical Trials Office.

“She also has a heart of gold and is always helping patients and families navigate through the Cancer Institute and UAMS campus,” he said.

Newman also serves as the office’s kindness champion.

The Bonny Hope Wallace Excellence in Human Subject Research Award is named for former UAMS surgery instructor and director of the surgical research lab, Bonny Hope Wallace, who died in 2004.

UAMS employees who achieved or renewed their clinical research certification were also recognized at the event. Congratulations to the following members of the Cancer Clinical Trials Office who earned or renewed their CRS or Advanced CRS certifications. More than two-thirds of the office’s staff achieved this professional designation in 2022.

New CRS Certifications: Constance Brown, Portiaca Crawford, Daniel Dunham, Melanie Freeman, Leena Balineni, Aaron Johnson, Amy Jones, Alyceson Niemi, Nikki Phillips, Amanda Tollison, Jennifer Worth, Paul Griffiths, Indu Soora, Monique Weathers, Miriam Wilder-Hairston and Maroof Zafar

New Advanced CRS Certifications: Mariam Boota, Bob Smith, Hannah Coleman, Amy Greenway and Holly Jarrell

Renewed CRS Certifications: Kathryn Allen, Mariam Boota, Amy Bowen, Jennifer Carter, Nicole Chapman, Hannah Coleman, Barbara Coppens, Lisa Davis, Rachel Dooley, Jennifer Faulkner, Ronni Geary, Amy Greenway, Holly Jarrell, Bianca Johnson, Cindy Jones, Haley Kelly, Sorena Lo, Melissa McAdoo, Melissa McCoy, Becky Myers, Priscilla Newman, Rashad Perry, Beth Scanlan, Natalie “Carol” Sikes, Bob Smith, Doug Steward and Daisy Wade

Renewed Advanced CRS Certifications: Aaron Holley, Judith Johnson Cooper, Matthew Kovak, Susan Panozzo and Tia Prichett

The Cancer Clinical Trials Office oversees more than 260 trials, including 50 newly activated trials in 2022 and five Phase 1 first-in-human trials.