Through the many studies conducted at Lehigh Center for Clinical Research, the staff and patients each play an essential role and contribute to advancements in understanding various medical conditions and developing new treatments. Located in the heart of the Lehigh Valley, the state-of-the-art facility boasts a wide range of amenities that allows them to operate at the forefront of clinical research.
From the lab equipment to imaging capabilities to its advanced temperature monitoring system, no cost was spared to ensure that they are capable of administering the most complex trial protocols. A perennial top enroller in indications such as Alzheimer’s and dementia, anxiety, depression, fibromyalgia, memory studies, migraines, schizophrenia, and their recent orthopedic studies, Lehigh Center consistently meets and exceeds their enrollment goals while meticulously adhering to the protocol to ensure the most accurate data is collected.
“One secret to our success is our proactive approach to dispelling common misconceptions about clinical trials and ensuring all of our patients are thoroughly informed about the purpose, risks, and alternatives allowing them to make the best, informed decisions related to their own health care,” says Vince Gillen, Executive Director at Lehigh Center.
Their extensive patient database, which boasts over 39,000 patients, 9,000 of which are currently active, attests to the trust Lehigh Center has cultivated within the community. To enhance this trust, the center provides individuals who qualify for trials with all study medication, doctor’s examinations, and medical procedures at no cost to them. One of the areas Gillen points to further his belief that “the company is great only because we have the best staff in the world” is how dedicated the staff members are to community engagement and service. “I have lost count of how many patients have told me that they chose to participate and help us in our quest to find cures because of their interactions with the staff outside of the office,” says Gillen, who takes great pride in the work they are doing both in the clinical setting and out in the community.
This success story is a testament to Lehigh Center’s unique, patient-centric approach. The center believes strongly in the importance of continuity of care. As Gillen explained, “The professional you speak with on the phone is the same one you will meet in person. That first friendly voice on the phone belongs to the first friendly face when you come in for your visit.”
One secret to our success is our proactive approach to dispelling common misconceptions about clinical trials and ensuring all of our patients are thoroughly informed about the purpose, risks, and alternatives allowing them to make the best, informed decisions related to their own health care
Their stability and longevity, fostered by this approach, truly distinguish Lehigh Center in an industry where constant mergers and takeovers are the norm. Lehigh Center is as independent and autonomous today as it was when it opened in 2001. When asked what about the most important and vital role at his company, Gillen did not hesitate when he answered, “the coordinators.”
“Every staff member is crucial and critical to our success, but the coordinators are the lifeblood of any clinical research site. And I would put ours up against any other coordinators in the country, they are really that good at what they do.” And if the quality is tied to longevity, it is hard to argue with that as the clients will not find a coordinator at Lehigh Center with less than ten years at the company. While it may be hard to pinpoint one reason for Lehigh Center’s success, it is hard to deny that whatever it is, it works.
