SCRS President and Founder, Christine Pierre
A dedicated advocate for the clinical research site community, “larger than life” is a fitting description of Christine Pierre who was dedicated to her family, friends, career, and her convictions regarding the importance of the clinical research site’s role in bringing new treatments and medications to patients.
Born in San Francisco in 1958, Christine’s parents relocated to Maryland when she was ten to be closer to family. She earned her RN degree from Prince George’s Community College and began working as a nurse for cardiac surgery at the Washington Hospital Center soon thereafter.
Recognizing her passion and drive, it was also at this time that Christine was recruited to work on her first clinical trial.
Realizing the need for and potential of a thoughtful, focused and informed approach to clinical research site management, Christine launched RxTrials, one of the nation’s first site management organizations, in 1994. Under her leadership the organization developed a reputation for always delivering what they promised, setting the standard for quality in study conduct and research site management.
In 2012, Christine founded the Society for Clinical Research Sites in response to the growing need for an organization representing the needs and voice of the global clinical research site community. SCRS grew quickly under her leadership, gaining nearly 10,000 member sites in 47 countries by October 2018. SCRS continues to be an active partner in industry-wide initiatives and dialogues focused on improving the clinical research enterprise.
Conceptualized in 2006 to provide sites with a space to learn from and collaborate with other sites and sponsor/CRO/service providers, the Site Solutions Summit – one of Christine’s most esteemed “inventions” – grew from 12 to 1,000 attendees under her leadership and has expanded from one annual conference to four: Global, European, Asia-Pac and Oncology. Lovingly referred to as ‘CKP’ by colleagues, she was easily recognizable at SCRS Summits – one just had to look for the charismatic woman in a red dress doling out hugs, and perhaps wearing two pairs of glasses at once.
Christine was an industry leader in the site arena and has represented the site community globally through hundreds of speaking engagements and research articles published in her name. She was a brilliant and ambitious businesswoman who nurtured her idea and grew it into a global business aimed at improving health and saving lives by bringing safe and effective treatments to patients around the world. In addition to her business acumen, she was an incredible event planner and went nowhere without her to-do list.
Christine was diagnosed with ocular melanoma in early 2017. After surgery and receiving a positive prognosis from her doctors, she returned to life as normal – perhaps with a bit more reverence for what it means to live. In the time after her diagnosis, Christine poured herself into shaping the next generation of leadership at SCRS, positioning the organization for a successful 2018 Global Site Solutions Summit and to move forward with the vision she created.
In early 2018, Christine’s cancer metastasized to her liver. She entered a number of clinical trials which afforded her more time with loved ones.
Christine passed away October 23, 2018 at the age of 60, never losing sight of her desire to effect change in the clinical research site community to the last possible moment. She is survived by her beloved husband, Michael, who was her partner, best friend, and constant companion during her illness; their four children and seven grandchildren; her brother and two sisters; and many, many dear friends.
Christine was revered by colleagues and staff, not only for her vast knowledge and experience but for her deep generosity and boundless heart. She freely gave her time and advice along with frequent gifts. She took a direct but warm approach to leading her team, regularly inviting them into her home and creating what felt as much like a family as a business.
She was—to use one of her favorite phrases—all that and a bag of chips.
In her honor, SCRS continues to work and live the mission Christine gave us to unite the voice of the global clinical research site community for greater site sustainability. SCRS remains in steadfast dedication to the site community so that we can deliver life-saving medications to patients faster, therefore saving lives and improving quality of life.
Gifts in Christine Pierre’s honor can be made to support Dr. Geoff Gibney’s ocular melanoma research at the Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center through the Lombardi Giving Page.