Bridging the Gap: Advancing Equity Through Diverse Participation in Clinical Trials

Valarie embarked on her myeloma journey back in 2015, and ever since she's been on a mission. As a resilient myeloma thriver, her passion lies in not just navigating her own path but also in illuminating the journey for others. With a steadfast commitment to understanding the intricacies of the disease, she champions education, shedding light on health inequities that often lurk in the shadows. Driven by a profound belief in fairness, Valarie tirelessly advocates for equitable access to top-tier healthcare, clinical trials, and tailored treatments. Her journey as a beacon of knowledge and support began when she assumed the role of a support group leader. Today, she continues to extend her hand as a myeloma coach, mentor angel, and the guiding force behind the Black Myeloma Health Community. Valarie's voice echoes far and wide as she fearlessly confronts the disparities faced by myeloma patients. Through collaborative efforts with healthcare providers, she strives to forge pathways to solutions, ensuring that every individual receives the care they deserve. Join Valarie on her journey of empowerment and advocacy as she lights the way toward a brighter, more equitable future in myeloma care.

Christie Edwards is a seasoned public health professional with over a decade of experience in healthcare systems, community health, and program management. Her career spans critical roles in academic institutions, hospitals, and public health networks where she has demonstrated a consistent ability to lead, innovate, and foster meaningful community engagement. Christie previously worked as the Program Manager for the Community-based Research Network (C3EN) at Rush University Medical Center. In this capacity, she developed and implemented partnership strategies, built relationships with community-based organizations, and provided strategic guidance to address health disparities and chronic conditions. In addition, Christie managed grant-funded programs, such as integrative medicine initiatives, and supported grants for addiction medicine at Cook County Health. She was instrumental in developing data-informed approaches to improve care delivery, supporting provider training, and optimizing operational processes for behavioral health and substance use disorder services. Christie has also worked with academic programs, where she supported preventive medicine residency training and palliative medicine fellowships, emphasizing curriculum development, quality improvement, and inter-institutional collaboration.