Clinical Project Management with Antoinette (Torres) Frankum

In this episode, I had the opportunity to speak with Antoinette Frankum, who currently serves as the Vice President/Executive Director of Clinical Research at CROMSOURCE, a global Clinical Research Organization (CRO).

Antoinette has over 20 years’ experience leading teams and managing complex clinical trials in the biopharma and medical device industry.  At CROMSOURCE, she is part of the executive team responsible for the US and international clinical operations. 

Antoinette graduated from University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), where she received her Bachelor’s degree and executive management certificate.

In this interview, Antoinette and I talk about what it takes to be a successful clinical project management professional.

You will learn about effective ways to communicate with senior leadership, how to conduct a brainstorming session, the importance of a “Lessons Learned” document and much more. We wrap up on a very topic of growth versus fixed mindset. 

My advance apologies for the poor sound quality in the first half the interview but the content is still audible (and valuable).

Hope you enjoy this interview with the all amazing Antoinette (Torres) Frankum.

Show Notes:

Antoinette (Torres) Frankum on LinkedIn

[02:35] Project Manager versus Program Manager: what is the difference? 

[03:30] Technical skill sets needed to become an effective clinical project management professional

[07:25] Creating and managing study timelines including tools such as Microsoft Gantt

[08:05] Understanding your stakeholders in clinical research

• • Investigators
  • Patients
  • Regulatory authority

[14:44] Managing patient expectations

[17:15] Managing resources and budget

[18:25] How to assess clinical trial risks as a CRO?

• • Feasibility 
  • Identify what is going to impact timeline, budget, resources
  • Quality issues

[20:25] The right way to conduct a brainstorming session with your team

[23:00] Why you should conduct lessons learned during the close-out phase?

[29:00] Effective communication strategies with senior leadership

[26:15] Helping your executive team by problem-solving

[31:40] Abundance thinking (growth mindset) versus scarcity thinking (fixed mindset)

[37:13] Sites and CROs are on the same team

[43:40] It is okay to make mistakes

[45:00] Communication and people skills will help you grow faster

[47:00] Asking for feedback and ways to improve as a clinical research professional

Books Mentioned:

Mindset: The New Psychology of Success by Carol S. Dweck

The Gifts of Imperfection: Let Go of Who You Think You’re Supposed to Be and Embrace Who You Are by Brené Brown

Rising Strong: How the Ability to Reset Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead by Brené Brown