Feb. 2, 2017 | Kacie L. Simpson, the clinical research associate team lead at the UAMS Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute, is the 2016 Bonny Hope Wallace Award recipient for her outstanding work with research participants.
The award was presented by Sandy Annis, a past recipient of the award who directs the UAMS Cancer Clinical Trials Office, at a Jan. 27 ceremony. Simpson was chosen for the award by members of the UAMS Certified Research Specialist Program.
Simpson has been at the Cancer Institute for 10 years. For the last nine years she has worked with patients in cancer clinical trials. She has served many roles in the Cancer Clinical Trials and Regulatory Affairs offices, including regulatory specialist, study coordinator, and for the last four years, manager of the study coordinators.
“It was an honor to be nominated for the Bonny Hope Wallace Award and selected by my peers to receive the award,” Simpson said. “I am also honored to work with world class physicians, nurses, research staff, and most importantly, the people who participate in research at the Cancer Institute.”
Simpson is a member of the Society of Clinical Research Associates (SoCRA), Association of American Cancer Institutes (AACI), the SWOG Oncology Research Professional (ORP) Liaison Committee, and the study coordinator for the SWOG Melanoma Committee. She has had UAMS Certified Research Specialist (CRS) certification since 2008 and SoCRA Certified Clinical Research Professional (CCRP) certification since 2010.
Wallace is remembered for her respectful treatment of research participants and her commitment to research integrity. She worked in research at UAMS for more than 30 years before her death in 2004.
Recipients of the award in Wallace’s name must demonstrate dedication to the research participant; respect for the participant’s sacrifice; devotion to research integrity; commitment to mentoring; and enthusiasm for learning.
Wallace was an instructor in surgery and laboratory director for surgical research at the Department of Surgery at UAMS as well as clinical coordinator of research at the Arkansas Children’s Hospital Burn Unit. Her efforts were focused on cutting-edge research to promote women’s health. Her accomplishments were many and her awards of recognition are numerous.