EFIC Support is led by Shannon Stephens, an emergency care researcher and clinical trials leader with more than 25 years of experience in EMS, prehospital research, clinical trial coordination, and EFIC operations.

National EFIC experience

Shannon has directed and supported centralized community consultation and public disclosure programs across more than 250 participating academic centers and nine distinct clinical trial protocols and networks. Her work spans investigator-initiated studies and federally and industry-funded multicenter trials in emergency care, trauma, and resuscitation research.

A centralized model for CC/PD

Her work helped establish a centralized approach to CC/PD that combines digital engagement, standardized materials, community surveys, demographic reach assessment, site coordination, and composite reporting. The model has been used to support consistent implementation across diverse communities and participating institutions.

Operational and regulatory leadership

National coordinating center leadership for multicenter clinical trial networks
Coordination across EMS systems, academic institutions, federal agencies, sponsors, and community stakeholders
Development of EFIC plans, IRB materials, community engagement strategies, and public disclosure programs
Peer-reviewed scholarship on centralized CC/PD and community willingness to participate in EFIC research
Experience supporting study activation, enrollment, closeout, and final public disclosure

Measured, practical support

EFIC consultation should strengthen a trial without overstating certainty or minimizing legitimate ethical and regulatory concerns. The work emphasizes transparency, representativeness, feasibility, documentation, and respect for the communities in which emergency research takes place.