Cotton O'Neil Clinical Research Celebrates 20 Years of Advancing Medical Treatments
Key Insights
Cotton O'Neil Clinical Research marks two decades of dedicated clinical trial participation, enhancing Stormont Vail (search)'s research capabilities.
The program has grown from three employees to 30, managing approximately 100 active trials across various medical fields.
Over the past 20 years, Cotton O'Neil has contributed to about 100 FDA-approved treatments, offering hope in areas like cancer (search) and Alzheimer's disease.
Topeka, KS - Cotton O'Neil Clinical Research, a part of the Stormont Vail (search) Health System, is celebrating its 20th anniversary of focused dedication to clinical research. The program has played a pivotal role in the development of new medications and treatments.
Established two decades ago, Cotton O'Neil Clinical Research was formed to consolidate and enhance Stormont Vail (search)'s involvement in clinical trials. "The clinical research world is very unique," said Carmen Burns, RN, the current Director, emphasizing the need for a specialized program to foster growth in this area.
From its humble beginnings with three employees and a few studies, Cotton O'Neil Clinical Research has expanded significantly. It now boasts a team of 30 professionals managing around 100 active trials. These trials span a diverse range of medical specialties, including digestive health, cancer (search), pediatrics, diabetes (search) and endocrinology, and internal medicine, according to Burns.
The program was designed to centralize the Stormont Vail (search) Health System’s previously scattered clinical trial participation, providing dedicated support and specialized training to staff. "There’s thousands and thousands of data points that are being collected and then provided to sponsor for the data management side of that, and it’s a lot of work," Burns noted, highlighting the complexity of the data management involved.
Amy Christian, RN and Program Manager, has observed a positive shift in public perception towards clinical trials. She noted a change from viewing clinical trials as being a "guinea pig" to recognizing them as a contribution to the greater good. Christian also emphasized that clinical trial patients receive the standard of care in addition to intensive monitoring and care. "(Clinical trial) patients are always going to be highly monitored. They’re going to receive numerous hours of one on one treatment and care through a clinical trial. They’re going to receive additional lab testing, procedures, sometimes scanning," she explained.
Over the past 20 years, Cotton O'Neil Clinical Research has participated in an estimated 500 trials, with approximately 100 leading to FDA-approved treatments. "A great percentage of what we do is about hope," Christian stated, particularly in the context of cancer (search) treatments and memory care.
Christian highlighted the progress made in Alzheimer's disease treatment, stating, "For the first time, we now have treatment options that actually have been proven to slow progression of Alzheimer’s disease (search) and we are extremely happy to say that we have participated in numerous trials that led to that opportunity."
Participants in Cotton O'Neil's clinical trials incur no costs, as all treatment and testing expenses are covered without billing insurance companies. Individuals interested in learning more about available trials and eligibility can contact 785-368-0744 or visit stormontvail.org/health-care-services/clinical-research/.