OUR HISTORY & MISSION

The Richmond AIDS Consortium (RAC) has been continuously funded by the National Institutes of Health’s (NIH) National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) as an HIV clinical trials unit since 1989. Since inception, RAC has been recognized for its excellence in research quality, productivity and commitment to its study participants as well as all persons living with HIV. RAC was originally part of the Community Programs for Clinical Research on AIDS (CPCRA). In 2007 with the reorganization of the NIH HIV clinical trials units, RAC has become a site coordinating center for several sites of the newly developed International Network for Strategic Initiatives in Global HIV Trials (INSIGHT) network. This new network combines the best of the community based CPCRA network with an international structure capable of dramatically expanding research opportunities. In addition, RAC was selected to become a site for the AIDS Clinical Trials Group (ACTG) network, allowing us to offer an even broader array of HIV research studies to the people of Virginia. The highly experienced and certified RAC research nurses work very hard to make sure that being a study participant is a rewarding experience. RAC participates in a number of industry sponsored HIV clinical trials that have been selected to bring new treatments for all patients but particularly to those with drug resistant HIV and adherence issues. Combining state of the art investigational HIV medications with expert clinical consultation, RAC can assist HIV care providers with these difficult cases. RAC serves as a hub for independent investigators throughout VCU and Virginia to interact and collaborate on HIV research. With affiliate VCU HIV/AIDS Center faculty in several divisions and departments within the university and a number of statewide collaborators, we welcome inquiry into new projects that will benefit persons living with HIV.

The RICHMOND AIDS CONSORTIUM (RAC) is a group of physicians who are committed to caring for HIV-infected persons and to contributing to the advancement of medical knowledge through community-based clinical trials. These physicians conduct studies in a variety of settings in an effort to answer medical questions and to solve problems which limit their patients' daily activities and quality of life.

The primary goal of the RICHMOND AIDS CONSORTIUM (RAC) is to enhance research capabilities throughout Virginia and to improve care for persons with HIV infection. We want community health care providers and their HIV-infected patients to have greater opportunities to participate in medical research. A particular focus of our program is to reach persons who have previously been underrepresented in HIV-related studies particularly women and people of color.
 

Revised: Quarterly