Research and Clinical Trials in Northern Michigan
Munson Healthcare conducts clinical research and participates in national research programs to bring the newest and most promising research trials to people in northern Michigan, offering cutting-edge therapies otherwise not locally available to patients. Munson Healthcare also conducts research internationally through the Munson Family Practice Center’s active clinical study in Kenya.
Clinical research is about possibilities. We are helping to make those possibilities a reality through research that leads to the development of new and promising discoveries. Clinical research establishes the standard of care and shapes the future of medicine.
Participating in Clinical Research
Participating in a research study gives you an opportunity to take an active role in your own health care and gain access to innovative new drugs or procedures otherwise unavailable. You also may be helping others who will have similar health conditions.
It is important for you to be informed about every aspect of the research study in which you want to participate. Studies may involve taking medication, using a device, or additional appointments with your doctor. Participation in clinical research is completely voluntary.
As a research participant, you will be told of any known risks before you agree to take part in a study. You may withdraw from a study at any time.
Institutional Review Board Protects Patients
The Munson Medical Center Institutional Review Board serves as the IRB for the Munson Healthcare system. Munson Medical Center is the research institution that oversees research conducted at all Munson Healthcare hospitals, clinics, and practices. Active research is taking place in Cadillac, Charlevoix, Grayling, Manistee, and Traverse City.
All research conducted locally is reviewed and approved by the Munson Medical Center Institutional Review Board before participants can be enrolled. It is the responsibility of this administrative body to make sure the study is safe and that the benefits of participating in the study outweigh any possible risks.
Munson Medical Center's Institutional Review Board reviews, processes, and oversees human subject research in accordance with federal, state, and local regulations, Munson Healthcare policies, and ethical standards.
The IRB is made up of a diverse group of members, including those with scientific backgrounds, non-scientific backgrounds, a mixture of staff and community members, and someone who has the knowledge to oversee specific clinical research.
In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration and the Office for Human Research Protections have empowered local Institutional Review Boards to approve, require modifications in planned research prior to approval, or disapprove research. The local Institutional Review Board performs critical oversight functions for research conducted on humans that are scientific, ethical, and regulatory.
Munson Medical Center IRB Members
IRB Chairman: Erik Howell, MD
IRB Administrator: Meghan Light, BSN, RN
Human Rights Protection Administrator: Meghan Light, BSN, RN
Signatory Official: Ed Ness, President, Munson Healthcare
Voting Board Members:
- Diane Emling, PhD
- Zachary Hector-Word, MD
- Erik Howell, MD
- T. Michael Jackson, BA
- Jean Kerver, PhD
- David Klee, MD
- Cynthia Nichols, PhD
- Anthony Steeno, Pharm D
- Edward Walsh, MD
- Todd Adams, MD (alternate member)
- Kelly Hirko, PhD (alternate member)
For more information, call 231-935-5049.
Research Integrity Officer
The Office of Research Integrity (ORI) requires that all institutions doing federally sponsored research have a Research Integrity Officer (RIO). This person is responsible for investigating any allegation of research misconduct including fabricating, falsifying, and plagiarizing research results.
If you see any instances of fraud taking place, please call 231-935-5080. Reports can be made anonymously.
Learn More About Research
Cancer research
Heart research
Stroke Research
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