05/20/2026
At their May 19 meeting, the Wilmington City Council officially declared May 20, 2026 as Clinical Trials Day via a proclamation. Clinical trials are the backbone of medical progress, shaping safer, more effective treatments and improving quality of life for patients everywhere.
The clinical research program at UNCW has proudly been preparing students for 22 years to be part of this industry. Here in southeastern North Carolina—one of the fastest growing regions in the state—the need for strong clinical research expertise is more important than ever as our community expands and looks to innovate.
We’re proud to prepare the next generation of professionals who will help meet those needs and drive meaningful impact across our region and beyond. Thank you, Mayor Saffo and City Council members, for this recognition! Read the full proclamation below.
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WHEREAS, Clinical Trials Day is recognized internationally each year on May 20 to commemorate the first recorded clinical trial and to honor the vital role of ethical, well conducted clinical research in advancing medical knowledge, public health, and patient care; and
WHEREAS, as a historic port city, Wilmington is a community shaped by the sea and acknowledges the early foundations of clinical research, including James Lind’s 1747 study of scurvy in sailors, which demonstrated the value of systematic investigation in improving human health; and,
WHEREAS, modern clinical trials are essential to the development of safe and effective medical treatments and health interventions, and rely on the trust, participation, and protection of research volunteers, patients, and communities; and
WHEREAS, communities benefit when clinical research is conducted with scientific rigor, transparency, and ethical oversight, contributing to improved health outcomes, expanded access to innovation, and a skilled healthcare and research workforce; and
WHEREAS, the University of North Carolina Wilmington serves as a regional leader in clinical research education through undergraduate and graduate programs that prepare students from diverse disciplines to support the development of innovative medical therapies and conduct of clinical trials to improve the health and well-being of people locally, statewide, and globally; and
WHEREAS, UNCW’s Clinical Research Program integrates academic instruction with applied research and experiential learning by partnering with healthcare organizations, contract research organizations, and pharmaceutical companies, fostering student engagement, critical thinking, ethical decision-making, and regulatory competence in alignment with UNCW’s commitment to excellence in teaching, research, and community service to support Wilmington’s growing life sciences ecosystem and helping prepare a skilled workforce to meet emerging research and healthcare needs;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Bill Saffo, Mayor of the City of Wilmington, NC, do hereby proclaim May 20, 2026, as "Clinical Trials Day” in the City of Wilmington and encourage residents to recognize the importance of clinical research and those who contribute to its advancement.
ADOPTED this the 19th day of May 2026.
