Clinical Research  |  Staff and Partners

Clinical Research

Part of the Research Institute's mission is to facilitate clinical research programs among the divisions of the Palo Alto Medical Foundation (PAMF).

The Department of Clinical Research incorporates investigations that are studying clinical strategies and their impact on patients. The Department administers studies contracted through the Research Institute, as well as those initiated by PAMF physicians. The Department also works closely with the Institutional Review Board (IRB), which reviews and approves studies conducted by PAMF physicians.

Experienced research nurses guide studies through a safety approval process required by PAMF's IRB, recruit patients to participate in these studies, monitor patients throughout the studies, and ensure compliance with privacy regulations and other rules.

This coordinated process, together with PAMF's large base of patients and physicians, attracts pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies and other collaborators. Patients are not promised any benefits from participation in a clinical research study. Patients generally volunteer because they desire to contribute to scientific knowledge that may lead to the development of new tools and therapies. Physicians also benefit by being involved in the analytical and creative aspects of the research process.

The Department of Clinical Research has been participating in clinical trials for more than 15 years. All phases of clinical research (phases I-IV) are conducted with emphasis on phase III and phase IV studies. PAMF physicians participate as principal investigators. Over the years, physicians in virtually all of the PAMF's specialty departments, as well as primary care departments, have conducted some form of research study. In the past year, the Department of Clinical Research has participated in studies of rheumatoid arthritis, breast cancer, blood glucose monitoring, dermatology, prothrombin measurements, hypertension, cardiac imaging and surgical techniques.

The Department of Clinical Research also supports PAMF physicians with research within their specialties. Many physicians advance knowledge within the medical community through publication of research projects they have designed themselves. The Clinical Research Department supports these projects by assisting physicians in preparing informed consents and administrative materials for IRB review, as well as compliance with privacy and safety regulations involving research.
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Staff and Partners

For information on or participation in any of our research studies, please call (650) 853-4915.

• Arthur Bobrove, M.D., interim director
  
• Barbara Anderson, R.N., CCRA, CCRC, Clinical Research Manager
  
• Barbara Glaze, R.N., MSN, CCRC, Clinical Research Nurse
  
• Diana Hill, R.N., B.A., CCRC, Clinical Research Nurse
  
• Paula Whited, CMA, Clinical Research Coordinator

Pharmaceutical companies/associations with whom the Clinical Research Department is working:

• American College of Surgeons Oncology Group (ACOSOG)
  
• Amgen/Wyeth
  
• Aperon
  
• Cancer and Leukemia Group B (CALGB)
  
• EBI Medical Systems
  
• Genentech
  
• GlaxoSmithKline
  
• National Institutes of Health (NIH)
  
• National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project (NSABP)
  
• PPD
  
• Reliant Technologies
  
• Rosedale Medical
  
• St. Jude Medical
  
• Storz
  
• Valley Lab

PAMF research coordinators trained by:

• Association of Clinical Research Professionals (ACRP)
  
• University of California, Santa Cruz Extension
  
• Clinical Research Site Training

The Department of Clinical Research sets a standard of excellence by promoting professional certification through the Association of Clinical Research Professionals (ACRP) for the following:

• Certified clinical research coordinator (CCRC)
  
• Certified clinical research associate (CCRA)

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