When Susan Jacobs, RN, MS, nurse coordinator and research nurse manager, started in the division of pulmonary, allergy, and critical care medicine (PACCM), there was no clinical trial program. “Part of the purpose of my position was to start it,” she says. And over the past 25 years, under her dedicated and driven direction, the clinical research program has grown immensely, from one or two treatment trials for patients with chronic lung diseases to roughly 30 different research projects and protocols overseen by about 15 principal investigators.

“Susan is one of the most competent, diligent, hardworking, and dependable colleagues I’ve ever had,” says Rishi Raj, MD, clinical professor of medicine at Stanford. The clinical trials that Jacobs coordinates now span a wide variety of treatments and diseases. Some of the pulmonary diseases that the program provides treatment options for are common, like asthma, and some are rarer, like pulmonary fibrosis, lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM), post-lung transplantation rejection, and chronic lung infections like non-tuberculous mycobacteria.

The types of trials vary widely: Some are treatment trials for an investigational drug for a particular lung disease. Others are observational studies that utilize registries, where patients are monitored over time, and data such as bloodwork and pulmonary function are collected to try to better understand a disease. 

For example, “we might try to identify some biomarkers that could predict how a disease will progress,” Jacobs says.

One theme that ties all the clinical trials together: Jacobs’ “power and initiative,” as well as her expansive knowledge of clinical trial management, says Stephen Ruoss, MD, professor of pulmonary and critical care medicine. 

“She was the architect of some annual meetings of clinicians and faculty between our institution and others,” he says. “She’s got great organizational initiative and focus.”

She’s deeply engaged equally in patient care and in support of the research initiatives we have. Her resilience and endurance really set her apart.

— Stephen Ruoss, MD, professor of pulmonary and critical care medicine

Juggling the coordination of multiple studies in different phases is not without its challenges. Jacobs shares that keeping track of many moving parts is one of her most difficult and critical tasks. “Susan possesses an extensive knowledge of clinical trial protocols, having worked on a diverse range of studies across different therapeutic areas,” says Hope Woodworth, the PACCM finance and grants management specialist. “This expertise enables her to execute study procedures with meticulous precision while adhering to rigorous ethical standards and regulatory guidelines.”

Jacobs’ expertise has been indispensable as the number of trials has grown significantly the past few years. “We’ve had immense growth in the number of principal investigators in our division, the number of trials that are being offered,” says Jacobs. “That’s good — we want to support the fact that we need better treatments. For example, in pulmonary fibrosis, over the past 20 years, despite numerous trials, we only have two drugs that are FDA approved. So with that challenge, we have to keep going.”

That dedication to her patients shines through everything Jacobs does. “The patients love her,” says Ruoss. “They see her as the linchpin of the program. She’s been a committed, enduring support for our patients.” To that end, Jacobs initiated and organized several patient support groups, for LAM and interstitial lung disease. “Many patients are incredibly hard-hit by these diseases, and the support that the groups provide is critical for them,” says Ruoss.

In all that Jacobs does, her dedication to her patients shines. “She’s known by patients as a kind of fairy godmother for these chronic diseases,” he says. Caring for patients feeds right back into supporting research, as far as Jacobs sees it. “Our patients see clinical trials as a great opportunity, especially those who have exhausted all their treatment options,” she says. “Our study participants are incredibly dedicated and committed, and we are so thankful for their participation. We couldn’t complete these trials and get these drugs to market without them.”

Another role Jacobs plays is to help support junior investigators, faculty who are just starting their research careers and writing their own protocols. With her decades of experience, she is able to help guide young researchers along the way as they learn to navigate the ins and outs of clinical trials. “Her strong leadership qualities inspire confidence, foster camaraderie, and contribute to a positive work environment,” says Woodworth.

“She’s always there,” says Ruoss. “She’s deeply engaged equally in patient care and in support of the research initiatives we have. Her resilience and endurance really set her apart.” Raj says, “She is the glue that holds the clinical research in the pulmonary division together.”

She’s deeply engaged equally in patient care and in support of the research initiatives we have. Her resilience and endurance really set her apart.

— Stephen Ruoss, MD, professor of pulmonary and critical care medicine

Juggling the coordination of multiple studies in different phases is not without its challenges. Jacobs shares that keeping track of many moving parts is one of her most difficult and critical tasks. “Susan possesses an extensive knowledge of clinical trial protocols, having worked on a diverse range of studies across different therapeutic areas,” says Hope Woodworth, the PACCM finance and grants management specialist. “This expertise enables her to execute study procedures with meticulous precision while adhering to rigorous ethical standards and regulatory guidelines.”

Jacobs’ expertise has been indispensable as the number of trials has grown significantly the past few years. “We’ve had immense growth in the number of principal investigators in our division, the number of trials that are being offered,” says Jacobs. “That’s good — we want to support the fact that we need better treatments. For example, in pulmonary fibrosis, over the past 20 years, despite numerous trials, we only have two drugs that are FDA approved. So with that challenge, we have to keep going.”

That dedication to her patients shines through everything Jacobs does. “The patients love her,” says Ruoss. “They see her as the linchpin of the program. She’s been a committed, enduring support for our patients.” To that end, Jacobs initiated and organized several patient support groups, for LAM and interstitial lung disease. “Many patients are incredibly hard-hit by these diseases, and the support that the groups provide is critical for them,” says Ruoss.

In all that Jacobs does, her dedication to her patients shines. “She’s known by patients as a kind of fairy godmother for these chronic diseases,” he says. Caring for patients feeds right back into supporting research, as far as Jacobs sees it. “Our patients see clinical trials as a great opportunity, especially those who have exhausted all their treatment options,” she says. “Our study participants are incredibly dedicated and committed, and we are so thankful for their participation. We couldn’t complete these trials and get these drugs to market without them.”

Another role Jacobs plays is to help support junior investigators, faculty who are just starting their research careers and writing their own protocols. With her decades of experience, she is able to help guide young researchers along the way as they learn to navigate the ins and outs of clinical trials. “Her strong leadership qualities inspire confidence, foster camaraderie, and contribute to a positive work environment,” says Woodworth.

“She’s always there,” says Ruoss. “She’s deeply engaged equally in patient care and in support of the research initiatives we have. Her resilience and endurance really set her apart.” Raj says, “She is the glue that holds the clinical research in the pulmonary division together.”