Clinical Trials Research Groups

Surrey Memorial Hospital Cardiology Clinical Trials Inc. conducts both inpatient and outpatient clinical trials in the areas of:

• Acute Coronary Syndromes (hospitalization with heart attack/angina)
• Congestive Heart Failure (acute in hospital as well as outpatient studies)
• Lipid lowering treatments (patients with high cholesterol)
• Cardiovascular disease and Diabetes combined

Most of these studies are for promising new drug treatments aimed at preventing heart attacks and strokes. We are also participating in a registry and a quality of life initiative for acute coronary syndrome.

The research group consists of 8 Cardiologists, 4 coordinators (2 Full time/ 2 part time) and an Administrative Assistant. On average there are 15 studies ongoing at various stages at any given time. For further information, contact lynn.breakwell@fraserhealth.ca

Critical Care

Critical Care research in Fraser Health is conducted at both Surrey Memorial and Royal Columbian Hospitals. The focus of the research program is on contributing to publicly funded trials, [e.g. Thromboprophylaxis; ARDS; Sedation management], largely in collaboration with the highly successful Canadian Critical Care Trials Group. Other research includes industry funded studies [e.g. Sepsis; Acute Lung Injury; Decompressive craniotomy] and small investigator driven pilot studies [e.g. Life support technologies for Octogenarians; Ventilator Associated Pneumonia; H1N1].

For more information please contact Miroslav Svetik, ICU RCH research coordinator at miroslav.svetik@fraserhealth.ca or Sheilagh Mans, ICU SMH research coordinator at Sheilagh.Mans@fraserhealth.ca

Multiple Sclerosis Clinic

The Fraser Health Multiple Sclerosis clinic opened in November 2004 to provide a comprehensive, community based clinic to the region.  Fraser Health was the only region in B.C. without a MS clinic for its 3000 patients.  The clinic has 13 multidisciplinary team members (4 neurologists, urologist, neuro-opthamologist, psychiatgrist, rehab medicine, MS certified nurse, physical therapist, occupational therapist, social worker and clinical counselor). 

It also runs a research program in clinical trials, health service delivery and epidemiology.  The clinic was accredited in May 2005 as a full member of the Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centres, a North American multi-disciplinary organization providing networking for all health care professionals specializing in the care of multiple sclerosis patients, after demonstrating excellence in the clinical care, education, and research related to MS, specifically related to the investigation of problems posed by multiple sclerosis.

The Research Team: Director and Principal Investigator: Dr. Galina Vorobeychik; Co-director: Dr. Chris Bozek; Dr. Kennely Ho; Dr. Sheila Savedia-Cayabyab; Ms. Janene Spring and Ms. Nicole Beauregard.
Dr. Vorobeychik was also awarded the Young Scientist Award at the 2002 American and European Congress of Multiple Sclerosis.

The Burnaby Hospital Regional Cancer Centre has been conducting medical research since 2002 under the direction of Oncologist/Hematologist Dr. Wendy Lam. The majority of the research conducted at the BHRCC is Phase II & III drug trials targeted at various cancers, blood disorders and improving supportive care.

For more information on the types of studies that are ongoing, please contact Sue Baynham, RTT, Clinical Research Coordinator, BC Community Oncology Trialists at 778 846-2011 or via email at sbayn@shaw.ca.

Orthopaedic Research at Royal Columbian Hospital is alive and well. Our research staff and surgeons are actively enrolling in 8 Prospective Randomized Studies and carrying out follow-up on 5 additional studies that have closed enrolment. These are based on trauma and elective studies, covering a wide range of pathologies. Most of the research is funded by working as co-invesitgators on grant applications with academic investigators who obtain grants from CIHR, NIH, Orthopaedic Trauma Association and the Canadian Arthritis Society or by industry.

For further information regarding any of the above, please contact Mauri Zomar, Research Coordinator, Orthopaedic Research Office at (604) 520-4855.

Ridge Meadows Hospital has been actively participating in clinical research for 20 years. Beginning with the GUSTO trial early in the thromolytic era to the present research involving thrombin receptor antagonists and novel heart failure therapies, cardiac research has been the main focus at our site. Other research topics have included antibiotics in pneumonia, asthma and COPD. The internal medicine research team includes Drs. Ervin, Auersperg and Tsui. Our coordinators include Sandi Thiessen and Marlene Ouellette. For further information, contact Dr. Ervin at 604-466-8199 or by email at flervin@telus.net