Distinguished Professional Tahari R. Griffin

Monroe native, Tahari R. Griffin, BS, MA, was recently spotlighted in an international newsletter of one of the clinical trials (trial titled DELIVER-MS) she coordinates at the Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, TX. Ms. Griffin is a clinical trial Investigator and the sole Senior Research Coordinator at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, TX, overseeing all neurological clinical trials for the diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis (MS - a disease that affects the central nervous system) and other similar diseases. Even with MS therapies currently on the market, there is always the need for more. The trials that Ms. Griffin coordinates are part of the more that MS patients need. Patients trust the MS Clinic research staff at Baylor and know the top-notch quality healthcare they will receive upon entrance into the institution's doors. Living in Houston TX and working at Baylor since 2009, she graduated from the University of Louisiana at Monroe in 2005 with a Bachelor of Science in Biology and again in 2008 with a Master of Arts in Gerontology (Aging Studies concentration). Tahari has even spent time as an online instructor at her Louisiana University alma mater. In addition to Baylor, Tahari has worked on clinical trials with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other Houston medical institutions such as Texas Children's Hospital, MD Anderson, and St. Luke's Hospital. She is also an alumnus of Monroe's St. Frederick High School. Tahari is the daughter of fellow Monroe native Jean Griffin (a Houston, TX, resident since 2015) and the granddaughter of the late Sadie E. Watson. Words from the newsletter about Ms. Griffin are as follows: "BCM's researchers are at the forefront of groundbreaking work used to serve individuals in the area and around the world. Ms. Tahari Griffin moved to Houston from Louisiana in 2009, after earning her BSc and MA, and has been a member of the Baylor family ever since. Tahari has extensive experience of clinical trials and research studies in biology, physiology, elder abuse, vaccines, and neurological diseases. Spare time for Tahari means family time with her mother and travel. She loves Paris, Amsterdam, and NYC. Between them, Dr. Hutton, Tahari, and Dr. Cuascut have worked on more than 50 successful trials in the MS Clinic. Respect, trust, and appreciation are the key to their success, as they continue to push for better patient experiences. As Tahari recruited her 20th patient to DELIVER-MS she left us with these words: 'Despite the pandemic, the BCM team has continued to enroll and keep up with DELIVER-MS visits. Enrolled patients are enthusiastic and eager to help. In the early pandemic, we realized that medical appointments became one of the few places patients felt safe, left the house, or saw a friendly face. No patient invited to enroll has ever declined in BCM. Newly diagnosed MS patients also love the transition to research, which brings attentiveness, more follow-up, counsel, and contact. And the observational arm makes people feel as if they have a say in research. With great patients and a great team, who could ask for anything more?"