Hello SCDM Community,
As we wrap up the first quarter of 2026—hard to believe how quickly the year is moving—we are already off to an exciting and productive start. Personally, it has been a rewarding experience serving as Executive Secretary, and I look forward to everything still to come this year.
Below are a few highlights from the start of the year and a preview of what’s ahead next.
State of the Industry: Launching Vision 2030
SCDM kicked off 2026 with the State of the Industry address, where Ward Lemire, Head of Data Management & Central Monitoring at Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine, officially stepped into his role as SCDM Chair.
Ward introduced the concept of the SCDM Lighthouse, emphasizing the need to reinvent Clinical Data Science (CDS) to propel both the Society and our global membership forward. He reflected on key accomplishments from 2023 to today and outlined the path toward Vision 2030.
The foundation of this vision will rely on four key pillars:
- Certification
- Knowledge
- SCDM Live
- Community
Ward also highlighted three priorities guiding the Society in 2026 and beyond:
- Driving reinvention
- Strengthening our global learning ecosystem
- Deepening strategic partnerships
Following the address, Tanya du Plessis, SCDM Trustee and Chief Data Strategist & Solutions Officer at Bioforum, moderated a dynamic discussion with Chris Decker (CDISC), Marilyn Neault (Patient Advocate), and Wayne Walker (Medidata) exploring what Vision 2030 means for clinical data professionals worldwide.
Key take home message: whether you are new to SCDM or a long-time member, your voice continues to help shape the future of our profession.
JSCDM Winter 2026 Issue Released
The Journal of the Society for Clinical Data Management (JSCDM) released its Winter 2026 issue on February 25th.
Key highlights include:
Clinical data professionals are not just keeping pace with change—they are leading it. JSCDM plays a critical role in transforming ideas into insight and capability, supporting SCDM Knowledge and helping deliver Vision 2030.
A special thank you to Claudine Moore, who recently stepped down as JSCDM Chief Editor. During her tenure, Claudine expanded the journal’s visibility and impact, introduced the Digital First publishing model, strengthened collaborations—including with the MRCT Center—and created curated collections connecting journal content with SCDM global events.
This issue features research and perspectives on:
- Patient-centered trial design
- Ethical use of large language models
- Updates to foundational standards
- AI governance
- Real-world data and FAIR data practices
Board of Trustees Meeting
The SCDM Board of Trustees met in Raleigh, North Carolina for the first board meeting of 2026. Raleigh will also host this year’s SCDM Annual Conference, giving the Board the opportunity to tour the venue in preparation for this important event.
Key topics discussed included:
- Aligning SCDM’s strategic roles to support Vision 2030
- Regional priorities across India, Latin America, EMEA, and APAC
- Expanding the use of elev8, SCDM’s learning platform
- Financial priorities for the Society
- Strengthening the pillars that will support Vision 2030
- Planning for future conference venues
It was valuable to meet in person and align on the important work ahead.
Looking Ahead
Over the past months, we’ve seen more and more colleagues turning to elev8 to deepen their skills or simply stay connected with how our field is evolving. What I appreciate most is hearing how you’re using this learning ecosystem in real practice, whether to guide new team members, explore emerging methods, or broaden your own understanding of clinical data management.
The GCDMP Database Lock chapter has just moved through public review, and more updates are on the way. The conversations and thoughtful feedback from our community continue to shape these resources, ensuring they remain practical and relevant for everyday work. It’s a reminder of how much collective expertise exists across SCDM, and how generously many of you share it.
The 2026 SCDM Live tour will officially kick off with our first major gathering of the year: the SCDM 2026 EMEA Conference in Copenhagen, 3–6 May. I hope many of you will join us there – there are only a few days left to secure the early‑bird rate, so it’s the right moment to register if you haven’t done so yet.
From there, SCDM Live will continue its journey across the globe, meeting our community wherever you are. As every year, the tour will bring fresh initiatives, new ways to connect, and opportunities to learn from each other in different regions and contexts.
And looking ahead, preparations for the Annual Conference in Raleigh are already underway. The Call for Abstracts will open very soon, offering another chance to share your experience and contribute to the conversations shaping our profession.
The upcoming official launch of CCDS is on the horizon. This comes off the back of over 200 members taking the beta exam. Psychometric analysis is currently underway, with results expected by Early May. The regular CCDS exam launch is planned for June 2026.4
Members are also encouraged to pursue CCDA, CCDM, or CCDS certifications depending on their career stage. Certification offers recognition as an expert within the clinical data community.
Finally—and most importantly—thank you to the many volunteers who contribute their time, ideas, and expertise to SCDM. Your commitment is what makes the Society thrive.
Our volunteers are truly the heart of this organization.
Interested in getting involved? Learn more.
Until next time…..
Yours in data,
Dawn M. Kaminski
Executive Secretary of the Board
