Equity in clinical research isn't just a moral ideal — it's essential for scientific rigor and public health. Tegan Mead, Executive Director of Javara's Healthcare Alliance, shares how her team is breaking down systemic barriers through intentional partnerships, on-the-ground engagement, and a deeply integrated research model.
David Alvaro (DA): Before we dive into Javara’s perspective on diversity and inclusion in clinical trials, can you share a bit about your background, why you got involved in clinical research, and what led you to this particular focus on equity?
Tegan Mead (TM): The road to clinical research is unique to each person. I started my journey as a medical assistant, then joined the Air Force as a flight nurse before being a manager for private pediatric and anti-aging practices. When my husband’s employer required him to relocate, I found a similar position, but for clinical research. While unfamiliar, I felt I had most of the experience needed to succeed in operations in this field and took the leap. Today, as Javara’s Director of the Healthcare Alliance, I engage with healthcare partner organizations and develop strategies focused on equity and inclusion.
DA: Do you feel that your experience in the military informs the work you do today, or perhaps has given you a unique point of view?
TM: I believe my experience in the military strongly influences everything I do today. I think I was naturally well-suited for the military. I like a good regimen, to follow a plan, to master a skillset and then raise my own bar. The military helped me develop the ability to not only operate following protocols but excel in that environment. Those capabilities carried over directly into my future work and responsibilities conducting or executing procedures based on very rigorous outlines and protocols. Of course, I balance that with understanding of those softer touchpoints; softer skills are also needed to make sure programs are executed appropriately within the clinical research setting.
DA: Can you explain how Javara’s unique and integrated research model is advancing clinical research?
TM: As an integrated research organization, we partner with healthcare organizations at the executive level, meaning our collaboration is established through a system-wide approach. This enables full integration of clinical research across the healthcare organization, resulting in clinical trial participation becoming accessible for all patients within their care network. We are different from site management organizations (SMOs) because SMOs generally partner with individual physicians at one or two locations. Javara has a broader reach; we work with many physicians at many locations, all of whom are supported by their healthcare system at the highest level because of the integrated nature of our partnership. We engage in governance with the organization, working together on strategy and execution. In addition, we have access to patients within the entire organization, rather than just those associated with each physician. As a result, we have greater patient access combined with streamlined operations, meaning more hope and more trial opportunities for patients in these communities.
DA: How would you articulate the significance of achieving full patient representation in clinical trials?
TM: Diversity in trials isn’t just an ethical imperative — it’s essential to ensure that investigational drugs are safe and effective for the full range of people who may use them. It is also imperative to population health and quality of care for underrepresented minorities. However, there are also scientific reasons that everyone should be included in clinical trials. One recent example was highlighted in a presentation at the SCRS IncluDE conference earlier this year. Less than 0.1% of clinical trial participants identify as Pacific Islanders, yet roughly 50% of this population carries a gene variant that renders drugs like the blood thinner Plavix ineffective. It is a clear example of how certain molecules perform differently in different people. To ensure that new therapies are both safe and effective, clinical trials must include all populations that reflect the real-world patient base. Otherwise, drugs may underperform — or worse, cause harm — in groups with distinct genetic profiles. Understanding these variations through inclusive research paves the way for more personalized, precision-based treatments and ultimately a healthier future for all.
DA: Some of the challenges to implementing diverse clinical trials are related to the reticence of certain patient populations to participate. Can you speak about those barriers and what can be done to overcome them?
TM: The biggest barrier is trust — or rather, the lack of it. Unfortunately, historical abuses have left lasting scars, and rebuilding trust takes time. It's a generational effort that requires consistent, long-term engagement. That means involving not just patients, but also families, faith leaders, and broader cultural communities. It’s not enough to show up once; trust is built through presence, follow-through, and a demonstrated commitment.
Another important piece is recognizing the real-world struggles many underrepresented groups face — things like food insecurity, housing instability, and, increasingly, fear of detention or deportation. Clinical researchers must be tuned into these realities. It’s about more than just inviting people to participate — it’s about showing up in their communities, offering support, and making it clear they are welcomed and valued participants in research, regardless of their circumstances.
DA: How do you bring together different stakeholders to address the intersecting challenges of trust, access, and inclusion in clinical research?
TM: It’s not easy — and it’s not quick. One important factor is having people who live and work in the communities we're trying to reach. But even that alone isn’t enough. Building trust requires both time and resources. When research teams step out of the clinic to support their communities — whether by providing food, supplies, or simply being present at a local event — that work needs to be funded. This crossroads can become complicated.
At Javara, we intentionally place our research teams within the communities we serve. They’re always on the lookout for ways to engage, whether that means supporting events hosted by faith-based organizations, local sports teams, or grassroots initiatives addressing food insecurity. We don’t treat community engagement as a side project; it’s a core responsibility. But to do it well, it takes real investment, both in time and in financial support.
DA: How important is it to have diverse staff on the ground — people who are members of the same communities you serve?
TM: It’s absolutely critical. Every culture, demographic, and community has its own nuances — whether in language, values, or lived experience. Having team members who reflect and understand those nuances and truly embody those subtleties makes all the difference. When patients engage with someone who looks like them, speaks their language, and understands their perspective, it builds a sense of trust and connection that simply can’t be replicated otherwise.