Growing up orbiting the healthcare sphere, Clinical Research Associate (CRA) Carley Walsh saw the effects clinical trials and medical advancements had on her father. Witnessing his bravery and positive outlook, she knew she wanted to make an impact on those in similar situations.
Career Trajectory
Carley was nine when her father was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer. “All the treatments my dad was offered wouldn’t have been possible without clinical research,” Carley says. “This field became an interest to me as I wanted to be on the forefront of new medical advancements and treatments.” Rather than turning away from this environment, she was intrigued by the innovation she was seeing. Over time, Carley’s interest in healthcare only strengthened. She was inspired by her father’s journey through clinical trials, and in pursuit of providing the same care for others, she was set on becoming a nurse.
Her father outlived his original prognosis, and Carley is confident that his positive attitude coupled with the latest advancements in treatments contributed to this feat. However, before graduating high school, Carley’s father unfortunately passed.
Just a few years later, Carley received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing.
Carley soon commenced her nursing career as an Oncology Clinical Research Nurse (CRN). For two years, she worked closely with patients during trials and specialized in gastrointestinal and breast cancers. She thrived in clinical research, fulfilling her dream of making an impact on patients enrolled in studies.
For most of her life to this point, Carley had been living and working in caretaking roles. As her career continued to develop, so did her goals. She was ready for a new challenge.
Daring to step out of her realm of comfort, Carley found herself engulfed in the circle of the CRAs at her site. She was instantly intrigued by this career possibility. A change like this was a far step outside of comfort; exactly where she wanted to be.
A New Chapter
Carley accepted a role as a CRA at Medpace, and she was eager to start down this new path. Between her CRA mentor, her Training & Development Manager, and her peers, she entered the PACE® training program with a firm support team. As she worked her way through training, her foundational knowledge as a CRN proved to be imperative to her grasp on the subject matter. She was able to pull generously from her background to help her find her footing during training.
Five months, numerous training modules, and a handful of mock evaluations later, Carley was ready to go out on her own. “The transition from the PACE® program to the CRA role was seamless, and I never lacked support during this transition,” Carley explains.
Her clinical research core stems from patient-facing roles, and Carley sees all the pieces from her previous roles falling into place as a CRA. While she no longer has direct contact with patients on a daily basis, she’s surprised to see how the skills she mastered as a nurse seem to crop up in a corporate environment. Time management, prioritization, and patient safety have persevered, even when her work leans away from hands-on care. Even though she no longer operates in a clinical setting, improving patient outcomes remains the driving force behind her work.
Evolution of a Scientist
Bringing a myriad of experiences and skills to her role has allowed Carley to flourish as a CRA. Her constant desire to bring healthcare advancements to patient populations has allowed her to operate with confidence and curiosity as she remains dedicated to improving outcomes for people around the globe.
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