First Impressions: The Experiences of a Community Member on a Research Ethics Committee (The Participant‪)‬

Two years ago, a friend of mine on the research ethics committee at the Sir Mortimer B. Davis Jewish General Hospital suggested I join as a community representative. I thought it over and decided to give it a try. I sent a CV to the research ethics officer, had a brief interview with the committee chair, and a few short weeks later found myself approaching the hospital boardroom with my knees shaking, palms sweating, and heart pounding quite uncertainly in my chest. So began what has become a challenging, rewarding, and sometimes confusing acquaintance with the medical world. Before I stepped into that first meeting, I knew only two things for sure: a lot of reading was required, and they gave you lunch.