Carla Perna, BS, CCRA, CCRP

Center Administrator, UAB Center for Exercise Medicine; REACT Rehabilitation Research Resource to Enhance Clinical Trial

Birmingham, Alabama Hospital & Health Care Current

1. UAB Center for Exercise Medicine / REACT Rehabilitation Research Resource to Enhance Clinical Trials
2. The UAB Center for Exercise Medicine is focused on improving the health and well-being of children and adults of all ages through interdisciplinary research, the training of future leaders in science and healthcare, and community education based on clinical research findings. The UCEM interdisciplinary team brings together more than 160 investigators, 32 departments, and 10 schools for a multi-disciplinary approach. UAB is among the first of major academic medical centers to establish such a center. Among its activities, the Center sponsors an annual symposium.

The Rehabilitation Research Resource to Enhance Clinical Trials (REACT) Center is funded by NIH grant 1P2CHD086851 to serve as a national resource that provides the medical rehabilitation research community with knowledge, skills, and tools needed to catalyze high-impact, interdisciplinary clinical trials.

I love research and having the opportunity to help so many people in need.

I have the following certifications:

BS, CCRA, CCRP

Being a non-clinical professional in an academic medical field. 

I enjoy mentoring other women in the  healthcare field. My greatest strength is my ability to interact well with many diverse groups. I am proud of the teams I have developed and the growth I have seen in women I have mentored. 

I think this current challenge is huge and I look forward to doing an exemplary job here!

I am also frequently asked to speak nationally regarding clinical trials.

My career goals will always involve medical research. Currently, I am challenged with my new position and have goals to understand the needs of the Center and team to build a dynamic interdisciplinary team in Medical Rehabilitation Research.

I am inspired by my strong-willed and sharp-witted maternal great-grandmother who taught me resiliency and kindness, my mother who taught me age cannot stop your career dreams, and my former boss, Lanie Ward, who taught me how to effectively  lead and manage people.

I want to be remembered as a women who loves God and family. A women who put others first when it really mattered and gave all she had to her career and mission of helping other women reach their career goals.

Academy of Clinical Research Professionals (ACRP)

Society of Clinical Research Professionals (SoCRA)

Mission Model Agreements & Guidelines International (MAGI)

CEO Leadership Award, Broward General Medical Center.

Children's Hospital, Alabama

The American Cancer Society

The American Heart Association