August 4, 2017. The Puerto Rico Consortium for Clinical Investigation (PRCCI) hosted the First Patient Advocacy Group Symposium in Puerto Rico on August 1st, 2017. The purpose of the event was to bring together various patient advocacy groups, patients, investigators and other individuals interested in finding innovative and joint solutions to improve the lives of Puerto Rican patients. PRCCI and their partner, Yale Center for Clinical Investigation (YCCI), introduced JUNTA for Progressive Action, Inc. (JUNTA), the oldest Latino, community-based, non-profit organization from Connecticut to the symposium. Participants learned from JUNTA about the efforts undertaken by this organization and the successes they had in community outreach for minority and underserved communities.

1. 1st Puerto Rico Patient Advocacy Group Symposium organized by PRCCI
August 4, 2017. The Puerto Rico Consortium for Clinical Investigation (PRCCI) hosted the First Patient
Advocacy Group Symposium in Puerto Rico on August 1st, 2017. The purpose of the event was to bring
together various patient advocacy groups, patients, investigators and other individuals interested in finding
innovative and joint solutions to improve the lives of Puerto Rican patients. PRCCI and their partner, Yale
Center for Clinical Investigation (YCCI), introduced JUNTA for Progressive Action, Inc. (JUNTA), the oldest
Latino, community-based, non-profitorganization from Connecticut to the symposium. Participants learned
from JUNTA about the efforts undertaken by this organization and the successes they had in community
outreach for minority and underserved communities.
The 60 attendees of the symposium included representatives from diverse patient organizations such as:
Susan G. Komen, H-IDEAS, Fundación FER, Asociación Puertorriqueña del Riñón, Sociedad Americana del
Cáncer, Coalición de Cáncer Colorrectal, Asociación Puertorriqueña del Pulmón, Asociación Puertorriqueña
de Diálisis Peritoneal, Sociedad Americana contra el Cáncer de Puerto Rico, Fundación Huntington Puerto
Rico, Grupo de Apoyo- Fibromialgia, Asociación Puertorriqueña de Ayuda de Pacientes de Psoriasis.
Physicians and students from Universidad de Puerto Rico and Universidad Central de Caribe also
participated.
“The 1st Patient Seminar hosted by PRCCI was a total success. Being able to be in the same room with
patients and representatives from different organizations allowed us to recognize that there is a great
potential to collaborate to improve the health of the people in Puerto Rico,” said Bárbara Segarra-Vázquez,
MT, DHS. Dean of School of Health Professions, UPR- Medical Sciences Campus.
The symposium fully met its objectives to form a community of different patient advocacy groups,which all
share similar goals, and through collaboration, find ways to address common challenges and pursue new
and innovative opportunities which empower patients.
The Puerto Rico Consortium for Clinical Investigation is committed to improve the lives of Puerto Rican
patients by providing access to innovative treatments through clinical research. It is one of the strategic
programs created by the Puerto Rico Science, Technology & Research Trust.
More info: www.prcci.org www.prsciencetrust.org
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