NCATS Director of Clinical Innovation
Mike's Blog
Upcoming shindig in DC (actually North Bethesda/South Rockville)
By Michael G. Kurilla M.D., Ph.D.
November 4, 2024
We’re less than a week away from the annual CTSA Program meeting. This year, the event is being held at the Marriott Hotel and Conference Center. For those who choose to use Metro from either local airport (Dulles or Reagan), there is a metro stop immediately adjacent to the hotel. The conference facilities are quite extensive (and they are very familiar with NIH events). In addition, you will be only a ten-minute walk from Pike & Rose offering >25 dining options. Pike & Rose is an example of the region’s focus on establishing mixed used communities. There’s even a ‘bark social’ if you plan on bringing a companion dog.
As for the meeting itself, the planning committee has turned in a masterful agenda on “Building CTSA Program Impact through Innovation, Collaboration, and Equity”, that covers a number of topics not only of broad interest to the CTSA community, but to many associated stakeholders. The NIH Director, Monica Bertagnolli, will deliver the keynote following the opening session focused on primary care practice-based research networks (PBRNs). Aligned with Dr. Bertagnolli’s major initiative, CARE for Heath (Communities Advancing Research Equity for health), CTSAs captured two-thirds of the first round of awardees in this program. There will also be a discussion with PCORnet with an emphasis on promoting additional engagement with CTSAs.
The White House’s Initiative on Women’s Health Research will receive some attention, including participation by Janine Clayton from the NIH Office of Research in Women’s Health (ORWH). You may recall that FY24 Congressional Report language called out ORWH to work with the CTSA program. Dr. Clayton’s participation should provide an opportunity for ORWH to articulate their focus and collaboration with the CTSAs to achieve their strategic goals. Other themes will include the unrelenting TR versus TS, as well as generative AI and large language models (LLMs).
We’ve moved the poster sessions to during the day. There will also be a CTSA UL1/UM1 PI meeting on Thursday evening immediately following the last session of the day. Be prepared to engage with your peers before wandering off for dinner. On Wednesday, the Steering Committee, the Administrators, and the TIN will meet. And on Friday, we will have a session with successful applicants on Element E/RC2/R03, which will be very engaging, as it was last year.
One final note, there’s some ‘minor’ national event that just occurred that will likely generate quite a bit of discussion, a few questions, and potential anxiety. With regard to the NIH, NCATS, and CTSA budgets, we are operating under a continuing resolution (CR) that runs through December 20. With control of the House, Senate, and White House on the line, there are eight possible scenarios that may result which may impact resolution of the CR during what will be a ‘lame duck’ session in Congress. Possible options include starting the new year with a full year budget or another CR (perhaps extending into February). It’s too early to start handicapping the possibilities, but we’ll share whatever information we have been made privy to. Just don’t hold your breath that we’ll have that information by mid-November. Speculation is always welcome.
Safe travels and look forward to seeing everyone in the flesh!
Science your way out of this.
- Peter F Hamilton, A Night Without Stars