Columbia RA Program

The Columbia ED Research Associates Program

The Research Associates (RA) program in the Columbia ED allows Columbia post-baccalaureate pre-med students during the school year, and Williams College students during the summer, the opportunity to work 'research' shifts in the ED. Providing 16 hrs a day, 7 days a week coverage for about 10 months of the year, their main task is to enroll patients in the various ongoing ED-based research studies. They undergo an extensive orientation and accreditation process that allows them to participate in research on human subjects and function relatively independently in the ED. They may notify you that a patient you are taking care of is eligible for a study, in which case if you don't already know about the study they can tell you more and guide the patient through the enrollment process. Conversely, if you identify an eligible patient, you can call overhead for the RA to get their help. If you would like to use this resource to help with your own EM research, or for any questions, please contact the RA program director Dr. Ellen Sano at eds2149@columbia.edu.