Community Advisory Board (CAB)

The San Diego Digestive Diseases Research Center (SDDRC) established its Community Advisory Board (CAB) in 2021 to ensure that patient perspectives play a meaningful role in the Center’s research mission. The CAB provides patients with a direct voice in SDDRC activities and helps ensure that patient needs, priorities, and interests are consistently reflected across the SDDRC research programs.

Board Composition

The CAB is composed of diverse community representatives whose expertise and lived experience inform SDDRC initiatives. Members include:
1. A person living with liver disease
2. A person living with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
3. Scott Suckow, Executive Director of the Liver Coalition of San Diego
4. Iris Magid, Executive Director of the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation, San Diego Chapter

Together, these members bring valuable insight into patient experiences, advocacy, and community engagement.

Role in Pilot & Feasibility Grant Review

In accordance with National Institutes of Health (NIH) requirements, the CAB participates in the review of SDDRC Pilot & Feasibility (P&F) grant applications. CAB members evaluate applications from a patient centered perspective, focusing on relevance, potential impact, and alignment with community needs.
Feedback from the CAB is formally presented to the External Advisory Board (EAB), which convenes on the same day as the annual SDDRC Symposium. The External Advisory Board considers both scientific merit and community input when making final funding decisions.

Engagement in the Annual SDDRC Symposium

To further elevate patient voices, a patient representative is typically invited to briefly present at the annual SDDRC Symposium. This presentation highlights patient perspectives and reinforces the Center’s commitment to community engagement and translational research that directly benefits patients.