As we celebrate International Clinical Trials Day on May 20, 2024, we recognize those health care and clinical research professionals who have been trailblazers in the effort to improve public health. Their efforts have revolutionized medical breakthroughs through the use of clinical trials. At AdventHealth Hendersonville we are committed to continuing to drive health care forward by providing patients with opportunities to become involved with groundbreaking national clinical trials.
Since 2016, the research department at AdventHealth Hendersonville has been able to enroll 216 patients in national clinical trials with the goal of medical advancement and improved health outcomes. Currently, we have 21 active National Cancer Institute trials with approximately 60 patients enrolled. Those patients are in various stages of cancer treatment and follow-up care.
The benefits for patients to be able to participate in these clinical trials are huge. In particular, the patients have increased access to treatments that might not be available in other parts of the country. “We are currently working on opening an industry-sponsored trial for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer patients,” shares AdventHealth Cancer Services Clinical Research Nurse, Amber Wheeler, BSN, RN, OCN. “That will allow patients to potentially receive a new medication that is not available in the market yet.”
AdventHealth participates in a variety of National Cancer Institute (NCI) trials and industry-sponsored trials. We are also a member of the Southeast Clinical Oncology Research Consortium (SCOR), which gives our team access to the NCI sponsored clinical trials.
This commitment to advancing the access to groundbreaking cancer treatments and enhancing outcomes for people across Western North Carolina has earned AdventHealth Cancer Services several Bronze and Silver Awards for our clinical trial enrollment with SCOR. Most recently, AdventHealth Cancer Services medical oncologist, Jennifer Heaberlin, DO, received a bronze award for her work in cancer research.
We are continually grateful for the work of our clinical research team and health care professionals that allow patients to access numerous clinical trials and studies each year. Their dedication to own this work to transform community health care through groundbreaking, innovative, and nationally recognized research is empowering our patients to feel whole.
Learn more about our comprehensive Cancer Services program here. https://www.adventhealth.com/hospital/adventhealth-hendersonville/our-services/cancer-care
