Midlands Profiles
South Carolina Clinical Research
The mission of SC Clinical Research is 'to promote the advancement of healthcare through education, research and participation in clinical trials'.
SC Clinical Research grew from the shared goals of the physician partners at Columbia Women's Healthcare, who understood that progress in patient care could be advanced though controlled clinical trials. Clinical research provides a way in which the physicians, and pharmaceutical companies with resources for treatment, can work together, allowing for the betterment of health care delivery today, as well as into the future.
SC Clinical Research participates in clinical trials that study investigational drugs and devices, as well as newly developed medical procedures. All the clinical trials are conducted under the close supervision of physician investigators from Columbia Women's Healthcare. Additionally, the clinical trials are coordinated by a highly trained staff that provides daily operational oversight, led by the Director of Research Services, Melanie Griswold, BSN, CCRC. Many of the physicians and staff are certified by the Association of Clinical Research Professionals (ACRP).
“Clinical trials are important
to the future of health care.”
SC Clinical Research has worked with, among numerous others, seven of the top ten global pharmaceutical companies, helping them to produce innovative, cutting edge advances in medical research and receive FDA approval for their investigational products.
SC Clinical Research has been located in the office of Columbia Women's Healthcare since 2001. On July 1st, we will be located in a new 4000 square foot, state of the art facility. This will allow us to offer a broader range of clinical trials to Columbia and the surrounding areas.
Clinical research is a fundamental process that is necessary to bring safe and effective new drugs to the market for public use. Ms. Griswold emphasized that "clinical trials are important to the future of health care, so it is vital that people volunteer and participate in these clinical trials. SC Clinical Research can provide patients with an understanding of investigational research, and work with them to decide whether or not a clinical trial is right for them." Volunteers help answer important questions about the best ways to diagnose and treat various medical conditions. Without them,researchers wouldn't be able to advance new medications that may ultimately help family members or friends.
Above Photo: Sandy Boone, R.T.(R), CCRC, Danette Gaines, MLT (ASCP), CCRC, Melanie Griswold, RN, CCRC, Jordan Keels, Research Assistant and Kristie Burbank, Documents Specialist
©Photo by Molly Harrell
