Midwest Center for Clinical Research Recruits First Participants in Johnson & Johnson Study

Lee's Summit, MO, July 08, 2011 --(PR.com)-- The Midwest Center for Clinical Research in Lee’s Summit, MO is the first site out of 350 global sites to successfully recruit participants for two new Johnson and Johnson drug trials. The research center has also successfully recruited the first participant for a Bristol-Myers Squibb study, an industry honor titled “First Patient, First Visit.”

“Dr. Taormina and Jody Ehrhardt have successfully opened a clinical research site and far exceeded Johnson & Johnson’s expectations,” said Kristina Galante, Global Trial Manager for Johnson and Johnson Centocor. “The dedication shown by their research team has proven to be successful. In addition they have met all FDA requirements and have been adequately trained to participate in new trials, which is a crucial step to allowing patients access to cutting edge treatments.”

The Midwest Center for Clinical Research was created as a division of Midwest Gastroenterology one year ago. Together the research center and gastroenterology practice find solutions for patients suffering from Crohn’s Disease, ulcerative colitis and other Irritable Bowel Disorders (IBD). The research center has already recruited over 60 participants who volunteer for investigational drugs with hopes of finding relief for the diseases they fight.

“Our goal at Midwest Gastroenterology and the Midwest Center for Clinical Research is to serve our patients who suffer from Irritable Bowel Disorders. As experts in IBD, we have a dedicated infusion area and nurse who specialize in treating patients with these disorders, and we offer traditional and investigational drugs to help our patients find relief,” said Dr. Marc Taormina of Midwest Gastroenterology.

Putting Kansas City on the Map for Clinical Research
Clinical research trials allow participants to play an active role in their own health care. Research trials allow access to new treatments before they are widely available to the public, and offer solutions to those who have no relief from current medications. Typically, drug companies will look to more highly populated areas first when introducing a new drug trial; however, the success of Midwest Center for Clinical Research has highlighted Kansas City as a successful area for clinical research.

“Recently a clinical research associate informed me that our success has proven that people in the Midwest have positive feelings toward clinical research, and that it is a growing area for research,” said Jody Ehrhardt, Director of the Midwest Center for Clinical Research. “Drug companies usually looked first to the highly populated east and west coasts for new trials and didn’t put Kansas City, MO towards the top of the list – but they do now.”

###