Meet the NDBMeet the NDB

Kimberly Harp

SLEC Project Manager

Kimberly Harp

Kim Harp has been with the NDB for nine years managing various research projects. Currently she's the project manager for SLEC (Systematic Lupus Erythematosus in the Community).

If you're in the SLEC study, either as a participant or a physician/researcher, you've probably talked to Kim on the phone. You might be interested in learning more about Kim and her work.

Kim lives in Wichita, Kansas, where the NDB is based. She is a graduate of Friends University in Wichita, and completed a master's degree from Emporia State University in 2009. Kim has five children, two sons-in-law, one grandson and a Yorkie.

Her activities include volunteering at church and school. She likes to read, garden, and play board games, especially Scrabble.

Kim's job at the NDB is to work with physicians and their staff to assist them in enrolling their lupus patients in the study. She talks to participants over the phone to answer any questions they might have about the study, and also to enroll them in the study. She assists in processing the lupus forms that are used for the study to ensure quality and accuracy of the data that is being collected.

In talking to people on the phone, Kim says there are a few questions that come up often.

Q: Are there any new medicines for lupus?

A: There are some drugs being tested in lupus studies but we don't know when they will become available to the general public as they are still in the early clinical trial phase.

Q. How many people are in this study?

A: Over 1,000 people are currently participating in our SLEC study.

Q. Do I have to pay anything to be in the study?

A: No. The study does not cost participants anything except a little bit of their time.

Kim's job really fits in with her personality. "I don't feel like I am just doing 'a job.' I really like being able to help people, and it is truly rewarding to see results of our research efforts."

The type of research that the NDB performs can take some time to have an effect on individuals with rheumatic disorders like lupus. When asked about this, Kim tells people that this is an ongoing study and, "it is important for people not to give up because over time we can see trends and have results more quickly, which is simply due to the large number of people who participate. The results may help future generations of people with lupus."

What are the qualities that make people want to join a long term study? "People in the study live daily with the ups and downs of lupus, or they are the physicians and staff who treat lupus patients. Often, the people I speak with are appreciative of our research efforts and they want to be involved. Sometimes, they know other people with lupus, or they have family members with lupus, and they want to be able to help them in some way. The people in our lupus study have big hearts and are willing to commit and make a difference in lupus research outcomes."

Kim has important advice for people who are considering joining NDB research or other medical research.

"Please don't wait to join! It only takes a small amount of time to accomplish a huge amount of good. We treat people like family and we respect privacy of all people. There is no better time than now to step up and be willing to help with lupus research. "