Monthly News & Opportunities

February 6, 2026 | V3 #2

CNTR Researchers Step Into the Future of Trauma Data with FHIR Training

CNTR is proud to share that research associates Nick Medrano and Ashley Moreno have been selected for the highly competitive AIM-AHEAD FHIR Collaborative Training Program.

Over about five months, they’ll gain advanced expertise in Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources (FHIR)—a critical standard for sharing and using health data.

Their training will directly strengthen CNTR initiatives, from streamlining data submission to advancing AI-enabled, resource-stratified clinical guidance for trauma care. Read how this investment in people and data infrastructure will benefit the trauma research community.

CNTR Earns 2026 Transparency Seal from Candid

For the 4th year in a row, CNTR has earned a stamp of approval for its transparency as a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. To receive the Platinum level from Candid, organizations must annually report their audited financials, board and staff composition, outcome metrics, and more.

Candid is an information service that specializes in reporting on U.S. nonprofits and helps people gain valuable insights that can help funders make good philanthropic decisions.

CNTR remains committed to the highest standards of governance and strives to continually improve.

Visit CNTR at Candid

CNTR Launches Pilot Study to Advance Rapid Soft Tissue Healing

CNTR has partnered with Aroa Biosurgery to launch the COVER Study (Combined OFM and Vacuum-assisted therapy for Expedited Regeneration over Structures), a randomized controlled trial investigating whether combining Ovine Forestomach Matrix with negative pressure wound therapy can speed soft tissue coverage of exposed bone and tendon injuries.

Led by study PI LTC Julie Rizzo, MD, the study has received institutional review board approval and begins enrollment this month at UT Health San Antonio and the University of Colorado Anschutz, the study builds on promising multicenter data and aims to validate a faster, cost-effective treatment pathway for trauma and acute care surgery teams.

The COVER study aims to add evidence to validate a treatment algorithm for achieving rapid coverage of soft tissue defects presenting to trauma/acute care surgery teams in a cost-effective manner, increasing patient satisfaction and hospital efficiency.

Learn More

CNTR's Executive Director Selected to be PCORI Stakeholder Reviewer

Michelle Price, PhD, and CNTR's Executive Director, has been invited to serve as a reviewer for the Science of Engagement (SOE) panel of the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI). The SOE funds studies focused on the evaluation of engagement methods, as well as the development and assessment of engagement measures.

PCORI is the nation's leading funder of patient- centered comparative clinical effectiveness research (CER). By comparing two or more health or health care approaches, CER generates evidence that helps people make better-informed decisions and improves health care delivery and outcomes.

CNTR Investigator Resources

Third Webinar in NTRR Series Covers How to Submit Data - Watch it On Demand Now

If you missed the last episode of the NTRR webinar series, you can still catch it on our website!

In this session, operations manager, Nick Medrano, walked attendees through a step-by-step demonstration showing how to submit a study dataset. If you're thinking about submitting study data to the repository, this is a much-watch session!

Watch all our Webinars!

U Maryland Survey Assesses Patterns in VTE Prophylaxis for Orthopaedic Trauma Patients

Study Purpose: This survey aims to describe prescribing patterns for VTE prophylaxis in patients with orthopaedic trauma. Specifically, we will assess the association between patient and provider characteristics and prescribing practices and respondents’ awareness of recent large clinical trials on the topic

Intended Respondents: Clinicians involved in VTE prophylaxis prescribing for patients with orthopaedic trauma. This includes orthopaedic surgeons, trauma surgeons, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants.

The survey should take less than 10 minutes to complete. For questions, please contact Dr. Nathan O’Hara at the University of Maryland School of Medicine.

Take the Survey

Nominate a Trauma Nurse for BCEN’s 2026 Distinguished TCRN Award

The Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing (BCEN) is now accepting nominations for the 2026 BCEN Distinguished Awards — including the Distinguished TCRN Award for trauma nurses. Nominations are open through February 20th. The annual national awards recognize top board-certified nurses for clinical excellence, professionalism, and advocacy in six specialties: emergency, pediatric emergency, trauma, flight, critical care ground transport, and burn nursing.

Read more about the Trauma Certified Registered Nurse credential, BCEN's 2nd largest certification program: HERE.

Nominate a Trauma Nurse!

Vociferous Advocacy for Research Funding Makes a Difference

Thanks to heavy messaging from numerous groups, including the two national coalitions in which CNTR participates, and after a brief government shutdown, the U.S. House passed and the President signed the FY2026 funding package that includes Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies.

The funding legislation:

Increases the NIH budget by $415 million (+0.89%)
Flat funds ARPA-H at $1.5 billion
Increases funding for BARDA by $35 million (+3.45%)
Cuts AHRQ funding by $23 million (-6.4%)
Cuts CDC funding by $19 million (-0.21%)

The agreement includes a “guardrail” provision that prevents an increase in multiyear (forward funding) beyond its use in FY25. This infographic from ACT for NIH provides a quick look at the multi-year funding issue.

CNTR is now beginning to work in coalition with other health research organizations on FY27 funding and will send calls to action when needed.

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