CAB MEETING MINUTES

December 7, 2004 

Five CAB members and two staff members attended the December 2004 meeting of the UTMB Galveston AIDS Clinical Trials Unit Community Advisory Board (CAB).

Report from Dr. O'Brien

• Dr. O’Brien reported on the meetings in D.C.  Last year the clinical AIDS networks were funded at approximately $700 million, but this year they will compete for only $150-200 million.  The ACTG’s are well poised to compete for funding this year.  Dr. O’Brien will e-mail members a formal response he is composing to the strategies proposed at the meeting.  Members should respond a.s.a.p., so that he can include our in-put before forwarding it.  There is improved collaboration between networks.  We have collaborated with the Houston CPCRA.

• The RFA re-competition, for continuation of an ACTU’s status, is expected to be announced in February 2005 with a due date of June or July.  The D.C. meetings only reviewed the RFA’s for the networks only.

• Dr. O’Brien announced that UTMB Administration had conveyed to Dr. Mayhill that all HIV+ patients would be exempt from DAMP.  This would mean that individuals would no longer have to be referred from the 4C’s Clinics (Galveston Co. Health District), they can self-refer.

Question & Answer

·    Dr. O’Brien was asked if there were any limits placed on clinicians by the University on testing (particularly genotyping & phenotyping).  He responded that those decisions were left up to the clinician and that no one was denied testing based on finances.

·    A question was asked about how patients were reviewed for eligibility for studies.  How was it managed?  Dr. O’Brien responded that all clinical staff routinely reviewed individuals  for eligibility, but there were efforts underway to improve the clinical database to make it more useful in identification of likely candidates for studies.

CAB Business

• Announcements:  David Mitchell has decided to resign his membership in the CAB due to his many commitments.  We will miss his in-put and will attempt to communicate with him to keep him up with our activities.

• Attempts at Publicizing Studies:  Reviewed with Dr. O’Brien problems with obtaining IRB approval for advertising the fact that UTMB’s ACTU offers two clinical trials that are available only in Galveston for those individuals in the greater Gulf-Coast area.  Dr. O’Brien stated that he would speak with the Chair of the IRB concerning the proposed ads.

• The CAB TOE production of HIV/AIDS: It Ain’t Over was a great success.  The organizing group met earlier in the day to evaluate the project and plan to re-create it in other venues in the coming year.

• Outreach Ideas:  Denise presented the idea of a 1 to 2 day conference in late April or early May.  An idea surfaced that we could focus on Strategies for HIV:  Treatment, Studies, Social Support & Networking.  All were in agreement and were tasked with contacting potential keynote and workshop speakers/facilitators.  Denise will f/u by e-mail, in between CAB meetings, to keep the momentum going.

• Issues with Galveston County Daily News:  The Galveston County Daily News was approached well in advance of World AIDS Day activities and provided with an article and information about the CAB TOE events.  They returned the article and asked that it be simplified.  The GCDN chose to run a small article that had nothing to do with local HIV issues and ran no advertising for the events.  Members were strongly encouraged to write letters to the editor questioning the GCDN’s lack of support.

• Outreach Opportunities:  Denise is looking for volunteers to assist at the following activities.  Please contact her if you can help.

  • College of the Mainland Community/Employee Health Fair, Friday, January 7, 2005, 9 a.m. to Noon (Gym at COM, Texas City )
  • UTMB Health Expo @ Galveston Home & Garden Show, Sunday, February 28, 2005, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (Galveston Island Convention Center at the San Luis Resort)
  • UTMB Healthy Fun Tent at the 10^th Anniversary Grandkids Festival, Saturday, April 2, 2005, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Post Office Street between 20^th & 23^rd Streets)
  Health Expo @ UTMB Office & Administrative Support Staff Conference, Tuesday & Wednesday, April 26^th & 27^th, 2005, 9 a.m. to Noon each day (Galveston Island Convention Center at the San Luis Resort) – John & Dennis have volunteered for the 26^th & 27^th respectively, but each need someone else to help them.  Please contact them or Denise, if you're interested in helping.

• Report from D.C. Conference:  Tommy reported on the meeting in D.C.  Being his first time, there was a lot of information.  He shared an organizational chart of how the ACTG fits into the federal system.  Tommy had the opportunity to learn about the various RAC’s (Research Advisory Committees), of which there are many.  He attended an overview of the labs that are centralized in Baltimore .  All specimens are saved there for future research.  The most pressing issue is how to best utilize and access the vast amount of information and specimens available for research.  Additionally, there was a workshop of Roberts Rules of Order and a Mock CAB meeting.  Good networking with other CAB members from other sites.  Thanks for going Tommy!

Meeting was adjourned at 7 pm.  The next meeting will be Tuesday, January 25^th. 

NEXT CAB MEETING 

When:       Tuesday, January 25, 2004 5:30-7:00 p.m. (NOTE: 2^nd Tuesday this month!!!)
                  Refreshments and light meal available at 5:15 p.m. 

Where:     UTMB-Marvin Graves Building, 1012 Texas Ave. (The Strand), 4th floor Conference Room #4.208.  Public parking available at Garage #2 next to the UTMB Emergency Room on Harborside Drive.  Parking tokens available to meeting  attendees.  (See map for directions.)

Agenda:    CAB-TOE Project Update

·    Report on Outreach activities

·    Report by Tommy on National Meeting

Reminders:  Guests are welcomed to attend CAB meetings.

                  Next national CAB call is January 26, 2005. CAB calls are open to all community members interested in the Adult AIDS Clinical Trials Group (AACTG) and HIV/AIDS research.  Call-in time: 12:40 pm (Central), Toll-free# 1-888-422-7101, Access Code 240946

Any questions, please call 409-747-0214 or toll-free 877-324-ACTU (2288).  You can also email Anthony Garcia or Denise Justice.  While reservations are not required, calling in advance helps us better plan for food and parking tokens and we like to hear from you! 

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