Author: [AUTHOR] Published on 8/1/2025 12:00:00 AM
Janice Schwartz, MD, Professor of Medicine, Bioengineering & Therapeutic Sciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California
What professional accomplishment are you most proud of?
I am most proud of having been able to play an advocacy role that has led to the new clinical trial diversity requirements that became law in late 2023, specifically for increase inclusion of older adults in clinical trials of medications (as well as women and minorities) to mirror the proportion of their presence in the clinical population for which a treatment is being tested. This definition of representativeness was present in the first guidelines for drug evaluation in the elderly many decades ago, but did not result in representative clinical trial enrollment, and it was clear that it would require legislation to reach this goal. I humbly believe that our efforts via an FDA workshop, publications, NASEM meetings, and AGS meetings helped to motivate this legislation that should help us reach the goal.
What has been the greatest challenge in your career?
I think that time has changed some of the challenges that I faced, and it is hard to pick just one. Being a woman in medical school in the South, a woman in the field of cardiology, a clinician without formal research or PhD training when I started my clinical pharmacology research career presented obstacles. Being in a two-career marriage also presented some unique challenges as to where and when you could pursue opportunities.
How do you keep focused and motivated?
One of the greatest things about research careers is that new avenues to explore are always present and opportunities that excite you.
What advice would I share?
Do not give up on what you want to do and do not listen to those who say it cannot be done.
What is your favorite Society memory?
My fondest memories of the Society were going to meetings and being able to see friends and meet leaders in the field in an informal setting.
When you are not working, how do you spend your free time?
We have a country home where mornings begin with a hike to retrieve our newspapers, breakfast outdoors watching birds, evening brings pilates classes during the week, cooking, baking, reading, and gardening fill our other home time. We now also spend about four months a year traveling the world and learning about other cultures.
What's one thing people would be surprised to know about you?
I was a junior and senior varsity cheerleader in high school.
Dr Schwartz has been a member of ASCPT since 1983.
