Patient Recruitment Strategies: Empowering Patients Through Accessible Information

Carole Scrafton, Co-Founder, Director, Patient Advocate, Speaker, Researcher, Flutters and Strutters

Carole Sian Scrafton, BA (Hons), MBS (Dist.), is the Director and Co-Founder of Flutters and Strutters Patient Advocacy Organization for chronic/rare illnesses. This patient-driven and patient-focused advocacy organization is for everyone, not just patients.

Carole is a patient with multiple chronic illnesses and a genetic connective tissue disorder, as well as two rare gene mutations and rare bone anomalies. In addition, she has been undergoing treatment for non-small cell lung cancer. Carole connects different stakeholders from across the medical, clinical and healthcare industries, including digital health, pharma and research and development. Through her organization, she helps to develop, nurture and advocate for multidisciplinary and multi-stakeholder approaches to all aspects of medical healthcare, ensuring that chronic illness and rare disease patients receive the care and treatments they need. Furthermore, she supports disease education and awareness through improved medical and health communications. Carole actively collaborates on patient engagement projects with multi-stakeholder teams, focusing on patient-focused medicine development and other initiatives within the rare disease research and expanded access spaces. Carole is a patient speaker, author, reviewer and actively campaigns and advocates at many levels, including patient forums, as well as taking part in many global conferences, in person or via the internet. She encourages more efficient patient engagement practices, intending to better develop therapies and treatments within the pharma, medical and clinical environments.

Clare Campbell-Cooper, Global Head of Digital Health and Innovation, Fortrea

Clare Campbell-Cooper joined Fortrea in February 2020 and serves as its Global Head of Digital Health and Innovation. Clare has over 25 years of industry experience and is a recognized leader within the field of digital health. Clare has a wealth of experience encompassing many disciplines within clinical research and has held management positions within Data Management, Clinical Monitoring, Phase I Operations, Strategy and Planning, Project Management and Digital Health.

Clare is an active member of several boards and associations and recognizes that working in a pre-competitive environment is critical to helping drive change within the industry. Clare is passionate about improving clinical trials and is a member of the Fortrea Environmental Sustainability Committee and a Founding Member of the Fortrea Sustainable Future Chapter. Clare sits on the King’s College London Scientific Advisory Board, Centre for Pharmaceutical Medicine Research and is a visiting Lecturer at KCL.

In her role as the Global Head of Digital Health and Innovation at Fortrea, Clare is helping to change the face of how clinical research is developing. She specializes in strategy development for both internal and external partners. Clare’s special interest lies in the relationship between the caregiver and physician team and how the use of digital technology can augment this.

Sheila Khawaja, Community Manager, Board Member, PiCC United

Sheila Khawaja is a global leader in patient engagement, known for driving impactful, multi-stakeholder collaborations that elevate the patient voice in healthcare. With over a decade of experience, she has shaped international advocacy efforts, advised on patient-centered research and influenced industry best practices. She serves on the Board of PiCC United as the Community Manager, supporting underrepresented patient organizations, and currently contributes to EURORDIS™ Mental Health and Wellbeing project. A former WAPO Board Member, she has engaged with regulators, pharma and policymakers to co-create meaningful change. An EUPATI Fellow and sought-after speaker, Sheila is recognized for her strategic vision and commitment to patient-centered innovation.

Antonio Drea, Director, TransPerfect Life Sciences

Antonio Drea is a Director at TransPerfect Life Sciences, where he specializes in patient recruitment and retention services, as well as commercial strategy for global clinical research initiatives. With extensive experience helping clients accelerate therapy development, Antonio partners with leading healthcare organizations to improve access to life-changing treatments and empower patients through innovative, accessible information solutions.

Melissa McCown, Senior Manager, Patient Recruitment, Immunovant

Melissa McCown has worked for 27 years in the Clinical Research space, with focus on Patient Recruitment and Retention project management, business development and proposal strategy development/writing, as well as global team and vendor management. Prior to entering Clinical Research, she worked in Corporate Communications, communication strategy, and communications/ethics training and development.