The Pastor at PRIM&R

The Pastor at PRIM&R

Back in February, I shared an article about one of my favorite committee members, a Rabbi. He was a community representative who served for many years and offered invaluable insight during his tenure on the IRB at my former institution in Texas. Recently at the 2014 PRIM&R Conference in Baltimore, MD I had the pleasure to chat for a good while with an amazing gentleman who was a Pastor, Social Worker and IRB Community Representative. His family had immigrated to the United States from Europe after World War II and built a new life in the Midwest. Profoundly impacted by this dark time in history, he dedicated his life to his faith and to the service of others. As we stood together and looked at the different booths that stood around us on the exhibit floor, he locked in on one offering “ethical consulting services.” The Pastor grinned; “It’s amazing to see how some have turned being ethical into a business and tagline.” It should be deeper Phillip, he remarked.  He said that he had an obligation to take the time, to learn, to be informed and help make the best decisions for his community. I thought to myself, that’s the strength of our process. He was a man of compassion, moral fiber, intelligence and selflessness. I was enriched by simply making his acquaintance and for the many human subject participants that pass through his institutions research programs; I’d like to think they’re unknowingly enriched as well.

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