POTSDAM, NY - St. Lawrence Health’s (SLH) Clinical and Rural Health Research Department is the recipient of the 2022 Outstanding Rural Health Program Award through the New York State Association for Rural Health (NYSARH).
According to NYSARH, the award recognizes a community-wide, regional or statewide program involving one or more healthcare professionals, or entities that promote or facilitate the development of the rural healthcare delivery system.
Clinical Research Director Carly Lovelett was among the original team members when the Research division of SLH began over seven years ago. She called the award an “immense honor and recognition” for her entire team.
She pointed out that during the initial years of the department, there was a lot of creative problem solving and teamwork to get to where Clinical Research stands today. The Research team faced several questions and doubts, with the most common being are rural residents even going to want to participate in clinical research?
“Local clinical trials did not exist in our region until we started this program, but just because our residents did not historically have access to something, did not mean they should continue to be neglected of such an opportunity,” Ms. Lovelett said.
The team realized they would most likely be faced with many questions and even some doubts about clinical research, and they were prepared to address all of it.
“In research, asking questions is our bread and butter, so we did not view this potential hesitation as a barrier to our program, but as an opportunity for us to engage with the community, to provide education, and to ensure questions are answered. And what we found is that once people learn more about the research process, they are usually very open to considering clinical trial opportunities,” Ms. Lovelett said.
She stated the Clinical Research department would not be in the position it is today without countless people, organizations, and colleges/universities that have helped along the way. Foremost, she thanked her team who inspires her each day, and SLH Medical Director of Clinical Research Eyal Kedar, MD, who also served as main investigator for both Rheumatology and COVID-19 trials.
“He is a colleague, friend, leader, and fierce advocate for rural research and rural health,” she said of Dr. Kedar. “And thank you to all of St. Lawrence Health, from our administration who embrace our vision, to the innumerable individuals throughout our clinics, hospitals, laboratory, pharmacy, imaging and so many other departments who help make conducting research here possible.”
Ms. Lovelett further thanked the patients for participating in clinical trials, and the community members who have supported them.
“I hope our research patients realize they have contributed to the advancement of science and medicine through participating in clinical research, and that our community members who have served on our research committees know they have helped drive our program forward in a patient-centered way,” she added.
To learn more about the SLH Clinical and Rural Health Research Department, including clinical trials.
