Investigator of the Month: Dr. Afia Naqvi

Dr. Naqvi has worked for Community Hospital Anderson since 2007 in the Diabetes Care Center. Dr. Naqvi says when it comes to why she became a doctor, it was due to her intense desire to serve and help her fellow human beings alleviate their suffering from diseases.
Dr. Naqvi believes that clinical research is incredibly important to the advancements of medicine, stating “clinical research is vital to continuing the movement forward and finding new and better medicine to treat different diseases.”

She also believes there are infinite benefits to participating in clinical research. Patients are able to get new and innovative medicine while participating and helping to find new alternatives for others as well. She adds that “[Patients] think they are being used as guinea pigs which is untrue.” Research studies are highly regulated by the FDA and patients are constantly monitored.

When Dr. Naqvi had free time in medical school, she enjoyed playing ping pong and received the “Best Player Award”.

CCRC would like to thank Dr. Afia Naqvi for her hard work and dedication to medicine and clinical research!

Investigator of the Month

Sheri Lantz

Nurse Practitioner

      Sheri Lantz, a family nurse practitioner at Healthy Hearts, has always known that nursing was in her blood. Deciding on a career was never a difficult decision for her to make.

     When Sheri is not working in Healthy Hearts, you can find her in the emergency room on the weekends as an RN and at the Ball State Student Health Clinic on Tuesdays as one of their NPs. As a sub-investigator for cardiac clinical trials under Dr. Jetty and migraine studies under Dr. Blankenship, Lantz performs study-related medical exams.
     Lantz sees her participation in clinical research as a great opportunity to create and test new medicines that can help her patients as well as patients on a broader scale. She enjoys listening to people’s life stories and making a difference in their lives. Her goal is to help improve the patient’s overall wellness and quality of life.

     CCRC would like to thank Sheri for her hard work and dedication to medicine and clinical research.

A link from type 2 diabetes to alzheimer's?

An interesting article from the American Diabetes Association on the possible link from type 2 diabetes that can lead to alzheimer's and whats being done to prevent this.

http://forecast.diabetes.org/magazine/your-ada/does-type-2-care-bolster-brain-function?utm_source=Homepage&utm_medium=ContentPage&utm_content=DFContents&utm_campaign=DF

Physician of the Month

                                                                            

Dr. Maier

A native of Anderson, Dr. Maier returned to his hometown upon completion of his medical education at Indiana University and training. He currently practices gastroenterology at Central Indiana Gastroenterology Group. In addition, Dr. Maier is affiliated with several area hospitals, including Community Hospital Anderson as well as Community Clinical Research Center, where he oversees studies relating to gastroenterology.


Dr. Maier’s interest in the medical profession began in his early teens when his mother was being treated for breast cancer. Spending a lot of time in hospitals and around doctors, led him to develop an interest in the field. As a result, Dr. Maier knew by the age of 12 or 13 that he wanted to become a doctor.

Having always enjoyed research, Dr. Maier sees his involvement with CCRC and clinical research as the best opportunity to continue helping people in ways that are not yet available to the public. Always looking for new ways to help people, clinical research provides him with the opportunity to help those who want and need help. He admits patients of clinical trials are sometimes put into tough positions. They often do not know which study medications they are testing. Dr. Maier knows that patients, like him, are always looking for better and easier treatments for their conditions. Clinical trials allow those people to take action, becoming active in their own treatment as well as the treatments of other patients.

Aside from his many professional activities, Dr. Maier also enjoys working in the garden, especially with flowers. He does his own landscaping, saying that he enjoys digging around in the dirt. He also continues his childhood enjoyment of sports, still playing golf.

CCRC would like to thank Dr. Maier for his hard work and dedication to medicine and clinical research.

Physician Spotlight - Dr. Jetty

Preetham Jetty, M.D., F.R.C.P.

As a young boy, Dr. Jetty witnessed first-hand the difference a doctor can make in a community. Growing up in a factory town in India where his father worked as a general practitioner, Jetty often saw patients being treated for accident wounds. He recalls watching his father sit for hours, stitching up wounds by hand, sometimes doing nearly a hundred stitches for one wound. It was this influence that attracted Dr. Jetty to helping others.

Dr. Jetty completed his initial medical education in India. However, seeing the U.S. as the country with the greatest opportunity for anyone who wants to work hard and be the best they can be, he came to the U.S. for the remainder of his education and training. Dr. Jetty began his work in Anderson in 1998 as a cardiologist for Indiana Heart Associates before working with Heart Partners of Indiana, LLC. He started the Jetty Heart Clinic in 2008, which he currently runs in addition to being the Chief of the Department of Cardiology at Community Hospital Anderson.

In 2005, Dr. Jetty partnered with CCRC as a principal investigator for trials studying cardiac conditions such as ACS and atrial fibrillation. Dr. Jetty sees his involvement in clinical research as a way to stay in contact with patients while still staying ahead of the ever-evolving field of medicine. By taking part in clinical research, Jetty gets to see new medicines come to fruition, eventually bringing them into practice. In addition, access to the research community allows for a flow of ideas and information between the country’s leading physicians.

According to Dr. Jetty, the rewards of clinical research do not stop with the physicians involved. The people who take part in clinical trials allow for the great life-saving medicines and treatments that we have today. Dr. Jetty believes that if we had the perfect medicine for you, we would not need research, but physicians and others in the medical field are always looking for better treatments. Participants in clinical trials receive first-rate medical care. Trials follow highly regulated practices and are done with the knowledge that current treatments are inadequate and can be improved upon. Patient safety is the number one priority in all clinical research. Monitoring of patients is held to a much higher standard than in typical treatment situations and patients are always free to choose whether or not they want to participate in a study.

Despite his position as one of the area’s leading and busiest cardiologists, Dr. Jetty is an avid concertgoer, attending shows all over the country. A fan of alternative music, the last show he attended was a Modest Mouse concert in St. Louis. An escape from his busy life, Dr. Jetty finds music to be calming to his sense.

CCRC would like to thank Dr. Jetty for his hard work and dedication to medicine and clinical research.

Evolution of U.S. Drug Laws - Food and Drug Act of 1906/ Nuremberg Code

Food and Drug Act of 1906

• First comprehensive U.S. drug law
• Followed the 1905 release of a book by Upton Sinclair called "The Jungle", which exposed the unsanitary conditions of Chicago's meat-packing industry and led to legislation requiring processing inspections and forbidding interstate and foreign commerce in both impure and mislabeled food and drugs
• Did not require drugs to be effective, but it did require "that drugs meet standards of strength and purity.  The burden of proof was on FDA to show that a drug's labeling was false and fraudulent before it could be taken off the market." - quoted from www.fda.gov.
• Prior to 1907, medications were bought and sold like any other good.  There was no requirement to reveal the ingredients of a drug.
• In 1938, as a result of 107 deaths from "Elixir Sulfanilmade", the FDA was able to require drug manufacturers to prove the safety of a drug before it could be sold to the public.

Nuremberg Code

• Formed in 1947 in response to Nazi abuses of prisoners during World War II
• First international ethical guidelines for clinical research
• Required that volunteers provide informed consent prior to participating in experiments and that the benefits of the research be weighed against the risks and discomforts of the patients 

Evolution of U.S. Drug Laws - Vaccine Act of 1813/ Import Drug Acts of 1848

 

Vaccine Act of 1813

• First federal law concerning consumer protection and medicinal substances.
• Smallpox epidemics were a common occurrence throughout the 1700s and 1800s.
• Efforts were made to develop a vaccine for smallpox from cowpox scabs imported from England.
• The cowpox virus could not live very long in dried scabs.  
• As a result, the virus was transmitted by arm-to-arm contact in successive person-to person inoculations.  
• This means that an infected vaccination lesion on one person was scraped and used as material to inoculate the next person.
• This method is no longer used, as other infectious diseases were often transmitted along with the cowpox vaccine.
• The Vaccine Act mandated that a purer supply of the cowpox be sustained and be given to any citizen.
• Dr. James Smith was named as the first vaccine agent. 
• He had 20 years of experience in the transmission of the cowpox vaccine through arm-to-arm contact every 8 days.  
• However, in 1821 he accidentally sent smallpox crusts instead of the cowpox vaccine to North Carolina.  
• The inoculation of patients with live smallpox led to a smallpox epidemic as well as the repeal of the Vaccine Act of 1813.
  
  
  
                                           
  Import Drug Act of 1848

• Established customs laboratories
• Responded to counterfeit, contaminated or adulterated drugs being transported into the U.S.
• Prior to the passing of the act, American troops in Mexico had received counterfeit and ineffective medicines for malaria.

Clinical Trial Time and Cost Statistics

Time 

• It typically takes from 12-15 years for a new drug to be brought to market.
• There is a "fast-tracking" approval path for AIDS and cancer drugs, but the process still takes several years in these cases.
• Of all the drugs that start out in the early development stage of clinical research, only 1 out of 1,000 drugs makes it beyond the animal-testing phase to testing in humans.  From there, only 1 in 5 to 1 in 10 drugs is eventually approved.
• Only 3 out of 10 approved drugs bring in more money in profits than the cost it took to get the drug through the testing phases.  Drug manufacturers depend on these few profitable drugs to make up for the financial losses they suffer from the other 7 out of 10 drugs.

Cost

• The major annual costs for a large sponsor or drug manufacturer include the following:
• $150-$200 million for investigators
• $50-$100 million for CROs
• $10-$15 million for central laboratories (special studies)
• $8-$12 million for monitoring
• A typical New Drug Application that must be filed for a new drug to receive approval from the FDA tobe placed on the market requires nearly 70 studies that consist of around 90,650 pages and an overall investment of $359 million, according to "Internet-Based Tools to Facilitate Clinical Trials" by Hassan Movahhed for Genetic Engineering News.
• Delays in the approval process of a drug can cost from $684,931 to $1 million per day.
• In 2000, pharmaceutical companies invested more than $26 billion for new drug development.
• According to Tufts Center for Drug Development, the average cost of bringing a new drug to market is $802 million.

Information taken from "Conducting Clinical Research" by Judy Stone, M.D. Copyright 2006.

Who conducts a clinical trial?

There are many different people involved with conducting clinical trials, with each person responsible for doing their part to ensure the completion of a safe and efficient study.  Some of the positions include the following:

• Principal Investigator (PI)
• Responsible for the conduct of the clinical trial at the study site
• Assumes overall responsibility for the management of the study
• Assigns responsibilities for other members of the team
• Ensures that informed consent is properly obtained from the study volunteers
• Serves as the liaison for major patient care issues with the sponsor and the institutional review board (IRB), an oversight committee, and ensures that the IRB is informed of all safety issues
• Makes medical assessments, evaluating the efficacy of the study medication and whether adverse events are study related or not
• Ensures the accuracy of the data that are submitted
• Subinvestigators
• Assume the responsibility for patient care assessments
• Less likely to be saddled with the administrative responsibilities of the PI
• Clinical Research Coordinator or Study Coordinator
• In charge of managing the individual study site
• Helps assess study feasibility
• Handles, prepares and tracks document submission
• Manages the day-to-day logistics of everything

Who else is involved in a clinical trial?

• Subjects
• Trial participants
• Also referred to as patients or volunteers
• Institutional Review Board (IRB)
• Committee designated to review the participation of subjects in research studies
• Oversees the regulatory, ethical and safety aspects of a trial at the individual study site
• Decides what constitutes informed consent
• Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
• Department of the U.S. government
• Provides regulatory oversight for the pharmaceutical industry
• Provides assurances to the public for the quality and safety of all the drugs dispensed in the U.S.
• Sponsors
• Pharmaceutical company (drug company)
• Group who controls the finances
• Develops the drug, overseeing its growth from initial identification of the chemical entity through manufacturing and testing of the product in people.
• Provides management of the trial
• Designs the trial
• Provides materials
• Collects data
• Monitors the trial
• Audits all procedures and data submitted to support the application for approval from the government
• Keep investigators informed of new information about the trial drug

The sponsor's team may include the following positions:

• Clinical Research Associate (CRA)
• Often referred to as the monitor
• Acts as an agent of the drug company
• Monitor how the trial is being conducted at the study sites
• Medical Research Associate (MRA)
• Functions like a CRA, but is in-house at the sponsor's facility
• Medical Monitor
• Physician on call for protocol questions or safety issues
• Ideally, knows something about the investigational area in question
• Should be willing to learn on the job

Information taken from "Conducting Clinical Research" by Judy Stone, M.D. Copyright 2006.

Phases of Drug Development in Clinical Trials

The processes involved in a clinical trial can vary greatly depending on which phase of the study is currently active, from the number of people being studied to the length of each phase.

• Early Development
• Phase 1
• Phase 2
• Phase 3
• Phase 4

Early Development - lasts 3-6 years

This phase is intended to study a drug's action and metabolism and to evaluate the drug for obvious toxicities before it is given to people.

• Preclinical development
• Test tube or computer-based discovery
• New agents are tested in animals, typically mice or rats
• Drugs are then tested in larger animals, such as dogs
• Permission to test the drug in humans is then requested from the FDA
• If permission is granted, then the clinical research in humans can begin

Phase 1 - lasts months

• 20-100 healthy volunteers are given increasingly larger amounts of the study drug
• Tests the following for the study drug:
• safety
• tolerability
• pharmacokinetics (how long the drug lasts in the body; details about its distribution, metabolism and excretion)
• pharmacodynamics (details of the drug's activity)

Phase 2 - lasts months to years

• Hundreds of patients are given the study drug
• Patients are generally not very ill, nor do they typically have many other conditions or take many other medications that could interfere with the effects of the study drug
• Sponsor determines effectiveness of drugs for its intended use
• Tries to find the best dose for condition
• May include comparator drugs or a placebo to study the differences in results between the current treatment plan and the drug being studied

Phase 3 - lasts 2-3 years

• Thousands of patients are given the study drugs at multiple study sites.
• Studies the effectiveness and safety of the drug on a larger scale
• Includes more real-world patients who have other medical problems in addition to the one being studied
• Patients receive either the new study drug or medication that is already on the market
• Depending on the study, one group may receive a placebo (fake medication or no treatment)
• Placebos are never given to seriously ill patients if an alternative therapy is available.  To do so would be both unethical and illegal.
• The Data Safety Monitoring Board can halt the trial at any time due to safety concerns or significant results showing one group is responding better to treatment than the other.

Phase 4 - lasts 3-4 years

• Number of patients in study varies
• Marketing driven
• Compares the study drug to major market competitor
• Gathers more safety information
• Attempts to expand the approved uses to other conditions
• Can lead to a change in the drug's status from prescription to over-the-counter
• May target new groups of study participants including different age, sexes or ethnicities
• After a drug is marketing, the safety of the drug is still monitored and can still be pulled from the market or have warnings added if any serious side effects are discovered

Information taken from "Conducting Clinical Research" by Judy Stone, M.D. Copyright 2006.

Physician Spotlight - Larry L. Blankenship, M.D.

    A severe case of appendicitis at the age of seven that nearly took his life led to what Dr. Blankenship refers to as the “hero worship” of his surgeon. It was this incident that sparked his interest in becoming a doctor. Never veering from the path needed to achieve his goals, this interest grew into a reality. A practicing neurologist for over 15 years, Dr. Blankenship serves as CEO of Central Indiana Neurology in Anderson in addition to his work with Community Clinical Research Center.

   Known for his hard work, Dr. Blankenship had a strong work ethic instilled in him from a young age, attributing this to his father, a steel worker. He recalls his dad facing a lot of job insecurity due to a tough economy, saying this often led to a lot of stress within his family. Having witnessed this struggle growing up, Dr. Blankenship speaks of how he prayed to God to always provide him with work, promising to never complain as long as he had the opportunity to work hard. Keeping his promise, despite a hectic schedule, he remains grateful for the opportunity and ability to work in the profession that he loves everyday.

   Despite the work and stresses doctors face, from increasing numbers of patients to decreasing insurance reimbursements, Dr. Blankenship still believes that medicine remains one of the most rewarding professions one can practice. His love for medicine can be seen in the fact that he encourages his own children to enter the field, hoping they too can have a rewarding professional experience.

   Having practiced neurology in Anderson since 1995, Dr. Blankenship began his work as a principal investigator for CCRC in 2004. He felt his involvement in clinical research would be good for the hospital, expanding its services, as well as adding a new dimension to his own practice. Specializing in neurological clinical trials, he has been involved in studying conditions such as migraines, stroke and Parkinson’s disease.

   According to Dr. Blankenship, the benefits for patients choosing to participate in clinical trials can include receiving health care options they would not have otherwise, having a greater investment in treating their disease by giving up themselves for treatment and study, as well as helping patients to come to terms with their condition. Knowing they are working toward treating their condition while helping others to learn more about the condition can also help improve the self-esteem of many patients.

   In addition to his professional achievements, Dr. Blankenship is also an accomplished musician, having played saxophone as first chair in the West Virginia High School All-State Band. He still enjoys playing when he gets the chance and also enjoys exercising.

   CCRC would like to thank Dr. Blankenship for his hard work and dedication to medicine and clinical research.

Information About Atrial Fibrillation

What is atrial fibrillation?

Atrial fibrillation is an irregular and often rapid heart rate that can lead to complications in the body. Specifically, atrial fibrillation occurs when the heart’s two upper chambers, the atria, beat irregularly, out of coordination with the two lower chambers, the ventricles. According to Americanheart.org, atrial fibrillation can be found in about 2.2 million Americans, with about 15% of strokes occurring in people with atrial fibrillation.  Below are illustrations from Mayoclinic.org that show the difference in the functioning of a normal heart and the heart of someone with atrial fibrillation.

    

Normal Heart

Atrial Fibrillation

What are the symptoms of atrial fibrillation?

Symptoms of atrial fibrillation may include palpitations (racing, uncomfortable, irregular heartbeats or flopping in your chest) of the heart, decreased blood pressure, weakness, lightheadedness, confusion, shortness of breath or chest pain. Some people with the condition have no symptoms and do not know they have it until it is discovered through a physical examination.

It is also important to note that atrial fibrillation may be occasional or chronic. Occasional atrial fibrillation involves symptoms that come and go, only lasting from minutes to hours, and stopping on their own. Chronic atrial fibrillation includes symptoms that are continuous, only stopping with treatment.


What causes atrial fibrillation?

Atrial fibrillation is caused by abnormalities or damage to the structure of the heart. According to Mayoclinic.com, these causes can include:

• High blood pressure
• Heart attacks
• Abnormal heart valves
• Congenital heart defects
• An overactive thyroid or other metabolic imbalance
• Exposure to stimulants such as medications, caffeine, tobacco or alcohol
• Sick sinus syndrome (improper functioning of the hearts natural pacemaker)
• Emphysema or other lung diseases
• Previous heart surgery
• Viral infections
• Stress due to pneumonia, surgery or other illnesses
• Sleep apnea


What factors may increase my risk for atrial fibrillation?

• Age – as you grow older, your risk of developing atrial fibrillation increases.
          – 3-5% of people over 65 have atrial fibrillation
• Heart disease – includes valve problems, history of heart attack and heart surgery
• High blood pressure
• Other chronic conditions – thyroid problems, sleep apnea, etc.
• Drinking alcohol – binge drinking puts you at an even higher risk for atrial fibrillation
• Family history


What can happen if atrial fibrillation is left untreated?

If left untreated, atrial fibrillation can eventually lead to two major complications including stroke and heart failure.

Stroke
The chaotic rhythm of the heart that occurs in atrial fibrillation may cause blood to collect in the atria and form clots. These clots can then dislodge from your heart and travel to your brain where it could potentially block blood flow, resulting in a stroke.

The risk of having a stroke due to atrial fibrillation is heightened when joined with high blood pressure, diabetes or a history of heart failure or stroke.

Heart Failure
Atrial fibrillation can weaken the heart which can lead to heart failure or a condition in which your heart cannot circulate enough blood to meet the needs of your body.


What can I do to lower my risk of atrial fibrillation?

Suggestions for lowering your risk of suffering from atrial fibrillations include:
• Stopping or reducing the amount of caffeinated and alcoholic beverages you consume
• Monitoring the over-the-counter medications you take, as some contain stimulants that can trigger atrial fibrillation
• Following a healthy diet, low in saturated fat, trans fat and cholesterol; high in whole grains, fruits and vegetables
• Not smoking
• Taking part in regular physical activity
• Maintaining a healthy weight
• Receiving regular medical care


What are the treatments for atrial fibrillation?

Treatments for atrial fibrillation can include the use of medications, electrical procedures, surgeries and catheterization.

Dr. Preetham Jetty, a leading cardiologist in the state, conducts cardiac clinical trials at Community Clinical Research Center (CCRC) in Anderson, including those that study new treatments for atrial fibrillation.

The benefits of participating in a clinical trial can include:

• Big city medicine in a small town environment.
• Access to new research treatments before they are widely available
• Study-related medication at no cost.
• Access to leading, world-class physician care
• Qualified participants will be compensated for time and travel

For more information on clinical trials, contact CCRC at 765-298-2040.

Information About Migraines

What is a migraine?

A migraine is a chronic headache that can cause a person significant pain, lasting anywhere from 4 to 72 hours. Migraines typically begin in a person’s childhood, adolescence or early adulthood. According to Medicinenet.com, migraines affect 28 million Americans. Despite this large number, migraines are still largely under-diagnosed and undertreated. Females tend to suffer more from migraines than males, with 17% of the female population experiencing migraines, compared to just 6% of the male population.

Click on the link below to see a video about migraine auras from Mayoclinic.org.

Video: Migraine aura


What are the symptoms of a migraine?

Although symptoms vary, a typical migraine can involve the following symptoms:

• Moderate to severe pain in one or both sides of the head
• Pulsating or throbbing head pain
• Pain that worsens with physical activity and interferes with daily activities
• Nausea or vomiting
• Sensitivity to light and sound
• Chills
• Increased urination
• Fatigue
• Loss of appetite
• Sweating

Some people who suffer from migraines may experience auras or other forms of premonition signaling that a migraine is coming. Auras can include changes in vision such as seeing flashes of light to feeling pins and needles in your limbs.

According to mayoclinic.com other signals can include:

• feelings of elation and intense energy
• cravings for sweets
• thirst
• drowsiness
• irritability or depression


What causes a migraine?

Although much is still unknown about the causes of migraines, genetics and environmental stimulants are thought to play major roles in the cause.

Changes in brain chemicals can lead to imbalances of serotonin, a chemical that helps regulate pain in your nervous system. This imbalance can then trigger the release of neuropeptides, which can cause the pain suffered during a migraine.

Other factors may trigger migraines. These factors include:

• Hormonal changes in women – related to the menstrual cycle or the use of birth control pills
• Certain foods – alcohol, aged cheeses, chocolate, caffeine, salty foods, processed foods. Skipping meals or fasting can also lead to migraines.
• Stress
• Sensory stimuli – bright lights, sun glare, loud sounds, unusual smells.
• Changes in sleeping patterns – getting too little or too much sleep
• Physical exertion
• Changes in weather or barometric pressure
• Certain medications


What factors may increase my risk for migraines?

A person’s chance of having migraines increases if they have any of the following:

• Family history of migraines
• Age younger than 40 – most people begin to experience severe headaches before the age of 20, with migraines being most common in people ages 30 to 39 years old
• Being female – women are 3 times more likely to suffer from migraines than men.
• Hormonal changes – related to menstruation, pregnancy, or menopause


What can I do to lower my risk of migraines?

In addition to taking preventive medicines, changes in lifestyle can help to combat migraines. These changes include:

• Avoiding triggers – foods, odors or activities that have caused you headaches in the past
• Exercise regularly
• Reduce effects of estrogen – avoid or reduce medications that contain estrogen including birth control pills and hormone replacement therapy
• Keep a regular pattern of sleep
• Do not skip meals
• Limit caffeine intake


What are the treatments for migraines?

Treatments for migraines can include the use of medications, muscle relaxation exercises, getting rest and relaxation, acupuncture, massage, vitamins and minerals

Dr. Larry Blankenship and Dr. Christopher Rocco conduct neurological clinical trials at Community Clinical Research Center (CCRC) in Anderson, including those that study new treatments for migraines.

The benefits of participating in a clinical trial can include:

• Big city medicine in a small town environment.
• Access to new research treatments before they are widely available
• Study-related medication at no cost.
• Access to leading, world-class physician care
• Qualified participants will be compensated for time and travel

For more information on clinical trials, contact CCRC at 765-298-2040.

Additional Research Site Coming Soon!

Our Muncie patients will soon be able to attend study-related visits in Muncie rather than making the trip to Anderson. A CCRC study coordinator will be relocating to the new Community Hospital Anderson Medical Pavilion in Muncie to provide regular treatment for study participants. Joining other specialty areas at the new site, CCRC will have an additional exam site at the location.

Click on the link below to see photos of the new location on our Facebook page!

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Anderson-IN/Community-Anderson-Clinical-Research-Center/126183060730969?v=wall#!/album.php?aid=25646&id=126183060730969&ref=mf

International Clinical Trials Day

• Honors the improvement of health and wellbeing through clinical trials
• Celebrated on May 20 of each year
• May 20, 1747 was the day James Lind, an 18th Century surgeon, started his famous trial in which he tested the differing effects of using water and vinegar versus oranges and lemons to treat sailors with scurvy.  
• The fruit resulted in a more beneficial effect for the sailors than the water and vinegar and the function of the clinical trial was born.

 

A patient shares her story

One of our patients spoke to the Herald Bulletin back in March.  View the link to see the full story.
Sarah Lapps Article with The Herald Bulletin

Participant Resource

Want to find out more about what is involved when participating in a clinical trial?  Click here to visit our website for information for participants.
Another great website for information is CISCRP; a nonprofit organization dedicated to educating and informing the public about clinical research.