Rewards of Research: How Research Spans Our System

Research studies usually focus on a specific way to advance care and find better treatment, but it takes many different teams to make the research successful.

The clinical research coordinators and principal investigators who serve as liaisons to participants and sponsors rely on collaborations across the system to make sure that strict research guidelines are followed. The way that these collaborations work depends on the type of clinical trial being done, whether the main focus is an investigational drug, a biologic medication or a device. 

Research teams work alongside physicians, nurses, lab technicians, pharmacists and others to deliver investigational therapies and monitor research participants. During the course of a research study, specific data is also collected and analyzed.  

"As pharmacists, we were taught in pharmacy school that evidence-based medicine is the cornerstone of selecting appropriate medication therapy for patients," said Melissa Hobbins, Pharmacy director. "Without ongoing research and clinical trials, new therapies—or new indications for existing medications—would be difficult to develop."

Another example of how our larger teams work together are the gynecologic oncology clinical trials that David Iglesias, M.D., and Shannon Armbruster, M.D., are currently working on.

"Our research teams cover 16 different clinical areas and offer a wide range of clinical trial opportunities for our patients," explained Andrea Bidanset Mohr, director of clinical trials. "We could not do this important work without support from both clinical and non-clinical staff."

Learn more about the clinical trials we offer. If you have questions, contact Andrea Bidanset Mohr, Research and Development, at abmohr@carilionclinic.org.