Cutting-Edge of Care Means Cutting-Edge of Research
By Kyle Orrell
Director, Clinical Research Institute
Methodist Health System
When patients choose Methodist Health System for their care, they probably don’t realize that they are also accessing a hub for clinical research. The independently practicing physicians on the medical staffs at Methodist Dallas, Methodist Charlton, Methodist Mansfield, and Methodist Richardson Medical Centers, along with other clinicians and patients, are participating in clinical trials across a wide spectrum of medicine. The scientific knowledge gleaned from these trials enriches the opportunity to develop new treatment approaches and pharmaceuticals that help our patients.
Methodist has always been dedicated to expanding the base of clinical knowledge. We have a rich history of participation in clinical trials and have encouraged independently practicing physicians to pursue approval for conducting them at Methodist facilities. But in 2011, Methodist decided to centralize the research being conducted in all of its medical centers by creating the Clinical Research Institute.
Representatives from Methodist visited numerous health care organizations around the country to observe best practices. Then I joined the Methodist family in late 2012 as director of the Clinical Research Institute. What an exciting opportunity to develop the structure to support and increase the clinical research efforts at Methodist.
Our priority at the Institute is to increase and support clinical research efforts throughout Methodist so that independently practicing physicians, nurses, and allied health professionals can ask key clinical questions in a meaningful way. Methodist is focused on the most effective and innovative care for our patients, as well as the foundational research that supports this care.
My philosophy in guiding the Institute is simple. In order to be on the cutting-edge of care, you have to be on the cutting-edge of research. I’m proud to say that Methodist is leading by example. There are several clinical trials currently being conducted through Parvez Mantry, MD, The Liver Institute at Methodist Dallas, and one of those is looking at developing innovative approaches to treating hepatitis C patients. Another study is led by one of the country’s leading gastroenterologists, Paul Tarnasky, MD, an independently practicing physician on the medical staff at Methodist Dallas. He is playing a critical role in a National Institutes of Health study to confirm the efficacy of a procedure that could very well change the landscape of treating gastroenterology conditions.
For clinicians considering a job change, I think it is important to them to join an organization that is clearly committed to clinical research and has a robust research focus. While others in the Metroplex are involved in clinical trials, the diversity of our patient population and willingness to participate in research distinguishes the Institute.
As a result, Methodist can offer patients care options that wouldn’t be available if we weren’t actively involved in and supportive of clinical research.
All clinical research is carefully scrutinized and regulated by the Food and Drug Administration through its tightly structured processes. In addition, the Institute must adhere to internationally adopted guidelines, and the Methodist Institutional Review Board oversees and approves all clinical research conducted in our hospitals.
As you can tell, I’m an enthusiastic advocate for research. It’s good for our patients and physicians, and it’s good for our community. One thought keeps me motivated: Perhaps a clinical trial being conducted at Methodist today will produce a revolutionary drug or treatment that can save a life tomorrow.
If you’re ready to join an exciting organization that’s changing lives through research, then it’s time to choose Methodist. Learn more by visiting Jobs.MethodistHealthSystem.org.
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Texas law prohibits physicians from practicing medicine. The physicians on the Methodist Health System medical staff are independent practitioners who are not employees or agents of Methodist Health System or any of its affiliated hospitals.