Clinical Research

Research and Innovation

The Department of Research & Innovation at Saint Mary's Health Care is dedicated to improving the delivery of health care for our patients by providing access to clinical trials. Clinical trials offer our patients access to cutting-edge research and state-of-the-art treatment alternatives that may otherwise be unavailable.

What is a Clinical Trial?

A clinical trial is a comparison of standard treatments to newer treatments in an effort to discover better methods for treatment. These studies are done to evaluate the effectiveness and benefits to patients while watching for possible adverse reactions. Doctors, scientists and other health professionals administer the test(s) according to strict guidelines set by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The FDA establishes mandatory guidelines to ensure the maximum safety of the patient.

At Saint Mary's Health Care, investigators and patients can expect to find opportunities for:

• Active involvement in community clinical trial initiatives in such fields as Endocrinology, Oncology and Neuroscience
• Collaborative research projects with community-based and national organizations

Brand New Clinical Trial Unit

In April 2010, Saint Mary's announced plans for a 6,000 square-foot Clinical Trial Unit at our downtown campus. As West Michigan's first Clinical Trials Unit, the eight-bed unit opened in November 2011, offering space for Phase I through Phase II/III studies. The unit is community-based, designed with flexibility in mind.

View a Photo Tour of the new Clinical Trial Unit

Read the News Release

Read the Mlive.com Article

Watch WOOD TV 8's Coverage

Clinical Trial Unit Features include:

• Two separate four-bed units;
• One half of the unit will include specific security and safety features for the conducting of CNS (central nervous system disorders) clinical trials;
• Flexible units, that can accommodate either eight beds or 16 infusion chairs, or a combination of the two;
• Special processing lab;
• Sterile processing lab;
• Exam rooms;
• Shipping and receiving dock for biospecimens;
• Separate pharmacy for preparing and dispensing study drugs

Convenience for Study Participants:

• Access to leading-edge clinical trials, close to home
• Near parking to facility
• Easy access to department from outside

Convenience for Study Sponsors and Investigators:

• Adaptive clinical trials – as the study progresses, the investigators can learn from what they find, and adapt the study as they go
• Central Institutional Review Board Available to respond; efficient turnaround time.
• Flexibility for studies
• Open 24/7 to meet different needs

Benefits for the Community:

• Cutting-edge research close to home
• Brings translational research to community, from the "bench to the bedside," where the research can begin to help patients locally.

For more information about clinical trials, please call the Research and Innovation department at Saint Mary's Health Care at 616-685-6198 or email researcheducation@trinity-health.org.