First Patient, First Visit Awards for Johnson & Johnson, Bristol Myers-Squibb Studies
The Midwest Center for Clinical Research in Lee’s Summit, MO is the first site out of 350 global sites to successfully recruit participants for two new Johnson and Johnson drug trials. The research center has also successfully recruited the first participant for a Bristol-Myers Squibb study, an industry honor titled “First Patient, First Visit.”
“Dr. Taormina and Jody Ehrhardt have successfully opened a clinical research site and far exceeded
Johnson & Johnson’s expectations,” said Kristina Galante, Global Trial Manager for Johnson and Johnson
Centocor. “The dedication shown by their research team has proven to be successful. In addition they
have met all FDA requirements and have been adequately trained to participate in new trials, which is a
crucial step to allowing patients access to cutting edge treatments.”
The Midwest Center for Clinical Research was created as a division of Midwest Gastroenterology
one year ago. Together the research center and gastroenterology practice find solutions for patients
suffering from Crohn’s Disease, ulcerative colitis and other Irritable Bowel Disorders (IBD). The research
center has already recruited over 60 participants who volunteer for investigational drugs with hopes of
finding relief for the diseases they fight.
“Our goal at Midwest Gastroenterology and the Midwest Center for Clinical Research is to serve our
patients who suffer from Irritable Bowel Disorders. As experts in IBD, we have a dedicated infusion
area and nurse who specialize in treating patients with these disorders, and we offer traditional
and investigational drugs to help our patients find relief,” said Dr. Marc Taormina of Midwest
Gastroenterology.
Putting Kansas City on the Map for Clinical Research
Clinical research trials allow participants to play an active role in their own health care. Research trials
allow access to new treatments before they are widely available to the public, and offer solutions to
those who have no relief from current medications. Typically, drug companies will look to more highly
populated areas first when introducing a new drug trial; however, the success of Midwest Center for
Clinical Research has highlighted Kansas City as a successful area for clinical research.
“Recently a clinical research associate informed me that our success has proven that people in the
Midwest have positive feelings toward clinical research, and that it is a growing area for research,” said
Jody Ehrhardt, Director of the Midwest Center for Clinical Research. “Drug companies usually looked
first to the highly populated east and west coasts for new trials and didn’t put Kansas City, MO towards
the top of the list – but they do now.”
Midwest Gastroenterology is a leading expert on IBD disorders in the Kansas City area, specializing
in treating patients with Crohn’s Disease, ulcerative colitis, among others. Drs. Marc Taormina and
Wade McCullough have helped sufferers from IBD disorders find relief through treatments and surgical
procedures in the Lee’s Summit facility.
About Midwest Center for Clinical Research
The Midwest Center for Clinical Research was founded in 2010 to offer investigational research trials to
gastrointestinal disorder suffers. The clinical research center operates several drug trials through global
drug companies such as Johnson & Johnson, Abbott, and Bristol-Myers Squibb. Located in Lee’s Summit,
MO, the research center meets all FDA requirements and has a dedicated team of professionals who
provide guidance and support to participants of each trial. For more information about Midwest Center
for Clinical Research, visit www.midwestccr.com or call 816-251-1258.
