RAPS Welcomes Utah Chapter
Just over a year after a RAPS-affiliated local networking group was successfully established in Utah, the group officially became the RAPS Utah Chapter. Chapter Chair Robert Wolfarth, senior manager of regulatory affairs for Merit Medical Systems Inc., shared the news and gave a brief overview of the chapter’s vision and mission on 1 November at the Utah Life Sciences Summit in Salt Lake City, an annual industry event organized by BioUtah, a statewide association of life sciences companies and affiliates.
The RAPS Utah Chapter will continue to serve and support healthcare product regulatory professionals throughout the state, hosting local education and networking events, facilitating knowledge-sharing and professional development, and building awareness of the important role regulatory professionals play in Utah’s vibrant and growing life sciences sector.
According to a report from BioUtah released earlier this year, Utah leads the US in the growth of life sciences jobs. There are now more than 1,000 life sciences companies in the state, employing more than 34,000 people, and accounting for $7.4 billion in sales in 2016.
“The Utah life sciences sector could hardly be more exciting,” said Wolfarth. “Combine a rapidly growing med tech industry with an excellent quality of life, and you have a recipe for happy regulatory professionals. This new RAPS Utah chapter opens up local access to global knowledge, which is so important because as fast as regulations change, we need to work together to be successful.”
Wolfarth and other chapter leaders have already mapped out many of next year’s events and activities, including face-to-face educational programs, guest speakers, study groups and social opportunities.
“Empowering the regulatory community is a very important part of RAPS’ mission, and the regulatory community in Utah is a prime example of how strong local networks can be such valuable assets to individuals, companies and entire regions,” said RAPS Executive Director Paul Brooks. “We are happy to welcome the Utah chapter and look forward to supporting the growth and development of Utah’s thriving regulatory community.”
To join or learn more about the RAPS Utah Chapter, or to sign up to be notified of upcoming events, visit https://connect.raps.org/utah.