Clinical Research Close to Home

July 26, 2011

Living among the northern lakes and woods of Minnesota does not mean losing out on the chance to take part in life-saving clinical cardiovascular research. Nor does it mean having to drive three hours south to participate.

That research is going on at the Minneapolis Heart Institute Brainerd Lakes, which is a service of Abbott Northwestern Hospital.

But clinical research, which involves patients not petri dishes, is unfamiliar to many people, so part of the clinic‘s challenge is to educate area residents.

At churches, community centers, and resorts in towns like Brainerd, Crosby, Aitkin, Grand Rapids, Crosslake and Pequot Lakes, cardiologists and internists Drs. Peter Stokman, James Madison, Timothy Dirks and James Furda give talks regularly on cardiovascular disease and the idea and importance of clinical research.

Answering a Need
The most recent study being conducted by the Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation at Brainerd Lakes is called SAVOR-TIMI 53. Dr. Furda is the Principal Investigator, or PI, for the trial that is exploring whether the type 2 diabetes drug saxagliptin (Onglyza) can also reduce major cardiovascular events, like heart attack or stroke. The clinic is one of 900 study sites worldwide in a trial involving 16,500 participants.

One of a PI’s most important responsibilities is choosing a study that he or she believes will have the potential to truly help patients.

“We look at different studies all the time,” says Dr. Furda. “With diabetes so common and linked to heart disease, this one seemed the most useful for our patient population.”

Jill Morgan, LPN, (in photo at right, with patient) is the research coordinator for the clinic. She works closely with potential study participants and addresses their concerns about a trial’s safety and efficacy.

“Dr. Furda, one of the other cardiologists or I make certain that the trial is explained clearly and all questions are answered prior to a patient enrolling, and we are there for that patient throughout the trial if  uncertainty arises,” says Morgan. 

Comfort Zone
Morgan has been at the clinic since 2006 and the cardiologists’ hands-on involvement is just another example of how supportive the entire staff is of each other and the patients.

“The entire group is like a family,” Morgan says. “It’s very welcoming for the patients and that day-to-day involvement is helpful for research.”

Being a research practice distinguishes the Minneapolis Heart Institute Brainerd Lakes clinic from other cardiology practices in the area. It not only conducts its own trials, but also supports studies in Minneapolis.

“Along with participants in the SAVOR trial, we see patients who are enrolled in trials in Minneapolis who can come to the clinic for follow-up visits,” says Morgan. “So they can still be part of research, but live in a rural area.”

Along with Drs. Furda Stokman, Dirks and Madison, and study coordinator Jill Morgan, the Brainerd Lakes practice includes PA Rebecca Heimark and Lise Lunde, NP.

To learn more about the SAVOR trial, or other research opportunities at Brainerd Lakes, please contact Jill Morgan at 218-828-6920 or jill.morgan@allina.com.