Children's Mercy's Responsible Conduct of Research Workshop Series Presents: Beyond the Petri Dish: The Human Story Behind HeLa Cells

Date/Time: Aug 28, 2026, 02:00 PM to Aug 28, 2026, 03:00 PM

Location: Hybrid

Apple Calendar Outlook Calendar Google Calendar

Explore the life and legacy of Henrietta Lacks, a tobacco farmer whose cells were taken without consent in 1951 and became the first immortal human cell line and a cornerstone of modern medical research. The Lacks family will discuss the ethical and historical issues raised by her story, such as informed consent, racial injustice in medical research, ownership of biological materials, informed‑consent standards, institutional review boards and federal research protections.

Presented By:

Victoria Baptiste is Henrietta Lacks’s great-granddaughter. She travels regularly to talk about the Lacks family’s story. Inspired by Henrietta’s life, she is a travel nurse. As a patient’s advocate, Victoria prides herself on treating patients with respect and dignity and—most importantly—making sure they understand their care. She finds her career fulfilling because it gives her the opportunity to educate patients.

Shirley Lacks is Henrietta Lacks’s daughter-in-law and Deborah’s childhood best friend. Since retiring from the banking industry, Shirley has dedicated much of her time to traveling around the country, keeping Henrietta’s legacy alive as a promise to her sister-in-law, Deborah Lacks. Henrietta’s enormous contribution to science has afforded Shirley the opportunity to be a voice for patient rights. Shirley is a board member of the Henrietta Lacks Legacy Group which promotes and preserve the history of Turner Station, Maryland and the legacy of Henrietta Lacks who resided in Turner Station. Shirley will continue to walk the path in telling Henrietta’s story and the family’s journey while promoting social justice and health equity.

In-person: Children's Mercy Research Institute, Big Slick auditorium

Click HERE to join the event via TEAMS

Continuing Education credits available through Children's Mercy.

More Events

View All

Jul 14 12:00 PM • Virtual ClinicalTrials.gov: Essentials for Academic Medical Centers, Panel 1 About this Event (Hosted by CDER SBIA) This virtual training is designed to help staff at academic medical centers meet the federal requirements for registering clinical studies and reporting results on ClinicalTrials.gov. Specialists from the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER), Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH), Office of Clinical Policy (OCLP) and the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER) within the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the National Library of Medicine (NLM) within the National Institutes of Health (NIH) will address frequently asked questions regarding regulatory obligations and the ClinicalTrials.gov Protocol Registration and Results System (PRS). This training begins with a required, pre-recorded video that you can complete at your own pace prior to registering for the live panel session that best fits your schedule or area of interest. Upon completion of the pre-recorded training, we encourage you to submit questions for our expert panel to address during the live sessions. You can submit your questions by emailing ClinicalTrials.govAMCTraining@fda.hhs.gov or by including them when you register for a live session. The panel will use your questions to guide the discussion and provide relevant, practical answers. The live panel sessions are designed to build upon the information presented in the on-demand video. These sessions will help you and your team understand when and how to register and report clinical trial information to ClinicalTrials.gov and meet data transparency requirements. By completing the pre-recorded training and joining the live virtual panel, you will leave with practical information in order to share clinical trial information with the public accurately and on time. Additional information and on-demand video. Jul 16 03:00 PM • Hybrid Rural Health Reimagined Location: (virtual option available) Kauffman Foundation Conference Center 4801 Rockhill Road Kansas City, MO 64110 Register for Virtual Attendance. Register for In-Person Attendance. Jul 22 12:00 PM • Virtual ClinicalTrials.gov: Essentials for Academic Medical Centers, Panel 2 About this Event (Hosted by CDER SBIA) This virtual training is designed to help staff at academic medical centers meet the federal requirements for registering clinical studies and reporting results on ClinicalTrials.gov. Specialists from the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER), Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH), Office of Clinical Policy (OCLP) and the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER) within the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the National Library of Medicine (NLM) within the National Institutes of Health (NIH) will address frequently asked questions regarding regulatory obligations and the ClinicalTrials.gov Protocol Registration and Results System (PRS). This training begins with a required, pre-recorded video that you can complete at your own pace prior to registering for the live panel session that best fits your schedule or area of interest. Upon completion of the pre-recorded training, we encourage you to submit questions for our expert panel to address during the live sessions. You can submit your questions by emailing ClinicalTrials.govAMCTraining@fda.hhs.gov or by including them when you register for a live session. The panel will use your questions to guide the discussion and provide relevant, practical answers. The live panel sessions are designed to build upon the information presented in the on-demand video. These sessions will help you and your team understand when and how to register and report clinical trial information to ClinicalTrials.gov and meet data transparency requirements. By completing the pre-recorded training and joining the live virtual panel, you will leave with practical information in order to share clinical trial information with the public accurately and on time. More information and on-demand video. Jul 22 12:00 PM • Hybrid Closing the Implementation Gap: Cancer Prevention in Limited- Resource Settings Frontiers CTSI, the Kansas Center for Implementation Science and the KU Medical Center Division of Precision Prevention/Internal Medicine Present: Closing the Implementation Gap: Cancer Prevention in Limited-Resource Settings Translating proven cancer prevention and control interventions into real-world impact requires more than evidence. It requires methods for putting that evidence to work in the settings where it is hardest to deliver. This talk addresses how health promotion and implementation science can address that challenge, using examples from US and global limited-resource settings. Dr. Fernandez examines common pitfalls that stall progress, how tools, frameworks, and engagement approaches can be adapted to local context, and how implementation, policy, and capacity building can be planned for scale-up and long-term sustainment in the U.S. and globally. Location: KU MEdical Center's Clendening Auditorium, Robinson 2004; Zoom Link Jul 30 12:00 PM • Virtual ClinicalTrials.gov: Essentials for Academic Medical Centers, Panel 3 About this Event (Hosted by CDER SBIA) This virtual training is designed to help staff at academic medical centers meet the federal requirements for registering clinical studies and reporting results on ClinicalTrials.gov. Specialists from the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER), Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH), Office of Clinical Policy (OCLP) and the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER) within the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the National Library of Medicine (NLM) within the National Institutes of Health (NIH) will address frequently asked questions regarding regulatory obligations and the ClinicalTrials.gov Protocol Registration and Results System (PRS). This training begins with a required, pre-recorded video that you can complete at your own pace prior to registering for the live panel session that best fits your schedule or area of interest. Upon completion of the pre-recorded training, we encourage you to submit questions for our expert panel to address during the live sessions. You can submit your questions by emailing ClinicalTrials.govAMCTraining@fda.hhs.gov or by including them when you register for a live session. The panel will use your questions to guide the discussion and provide relevant, practical answers. The live panel sessions are designed to build upon the information presented in the on-demand video. These sessions will help you and your team understand when and how to register and report clinical trial information to ClinicalTrials.gov and meet data transparency requirements. By completing the pre-recorded training and joining the live virtual panel, you will leave with practical information in order to share clinical trial information with the public accurately and on time. More information and on-demand video. Aug 20 11:00 AM • The Abbott | 1901 Cherry St., Kansas City, MO 64108 Digital Health Day 2026 As we commemorate a year marked by progress, let’s come together to celebrate our vibrant ecosystem! Digital Health Day brings together founders, investors, partners, and the entire ecosystem to encourage collaboration and exploration. Serving as the focal point of the digital health community, this event will feature regional speakers, significant updates, prestigious awards, and unparalleled networking opportunities. Are you ready to: Network with Titans: Gain insights on the future of healthcare and IT from industry leaders. Discover Innovation: Uncover groundbreaking healthcare solutions poised to revolutionize the industry. Celebrate Milestones: A year of turning on the lights for Digital Health KC. Identify Upcoming Opportunities: Explore the next chapter of digital health evolution. Honor Visionaries: Witness the prestigious awards ceremony honoring the brightest minds in digital health. Aug 28 02:00 PM • Hybrid Children's Mercy's Responsible Conduct of Research Workshop Series Presents: Beyond the Petri Dish: The Human Story Behind HeLa Cells Explore the life and legacy of Henrietta Lacks, a tobacco farmer whose cells were taken without consent in 1951 and became the first immortal human cell line and a cornerstone of modern medical research. The Lacks family will discuss the ethical and historical issues raised by her story, such as informed consent, racial injustice in medical research, ownership of biological materials, informed‑consent standards, institutional review boards and federal research protections. Presented By: Victoria Baptiste is Henrietta Lacks’s great-granddaughter. She travels regularly to talk about the Lacks family’s story. Inspired by Henrietta’s life, she is a travel nurse. As a patient’s advocate, Victoria prides herself on treating patients with respect and dignity and—most importantly—making sure they understand their care. She finds her career fulfilling because it gives her the opportunity to educate patients. Shirley Lacks is Henrietta Lacks’s daughter-in-law and Deborah’s childhood best friend. Since retiring from the banking industry, Shirley has dedicated much of her time to traveling around the country, keeping Henrietta’s legacy alive as a promise to her sister-in-law, Deborah Lacks. Henrietta’s enormous contribution to science has afforded Shirley the opportunity to be a voice for patient rights. Shirley is a board member of the Henrietta Lacks Legacy Group which promotes and preserve the history of Turner Station, Maryland and the legacy of Henrietta Lacks who resided in Turner Station. Shirley will continue to walk the path in telling Henrietta’s story and the family’s journey while promoting social justice and health equity. In-person: Children's Mercy Research Institute, Big Slick auditorium Click HERE to join the event via TEAMS Continuing Education credits available through Children's Mercy. Sep 10 03:00 PM • Hybrid Moving the Needle in Maternal Care and Outcomes Location: (virtual option available) Kauffman Foundation Conference Center 4801 Rockhill Road Kansas City, MO 64110 Register for Virtual Attendance. Register for In-Person Attendance. Oct 09 09:00 AM • KU Edwards Campus - BEST Conference Room Heartland Association of Research Professionals Annual Conference (2026) Research Resiliency: Challenges and Adaptations in Healthcare Research The goal of the HARP conference is to provide networking and educational opportunities for research professionals across the heartland region. Past attendees have consisted of research coordinators, data scientists, principal investigators, and other research professionals from a variety of disciplines.

View All