What to Expect at Your First Visit

What is Clinical Research?

Clinical research allows study participants access to new treatments and medication. This allows researchers to learn more about new ways to treat various conditions, and it may provide some participants with relief from these conditions. Study participants meet with a board-certified physician at no cost, receive free medical examinations, free study medications, and are often compensated for their time and travel.

Help Others. Help Yourself.

You may be asking yourself, “why should I participate in a clinical trial?” Well, that answer is easy! By enrolling in a clinical trial, you not only can gain access to new medications that can help you with your ailment, but it will also help others gain wider access to treatment methods that may help them with their symptoms too. Clinical trials are essential in gaining a better understanding of disorders, finding successful treatments to help with those disorders, and helping researchers learn more about.

Every FDA approved medication or treatment option has undergone clinical trials to ensure its overall safety and effectiveness. While researchers are hard at work to find a safe and effective Covid-19 vaccine, an approved vaccine would not be possible without individuals volunteering to participate in clinical trials. You can do your part to not only.

Don’t Believe the Myths

Afraid to enroll in a clinical trial because of myths that you’ve heard? There are many misconceptions surrounding clinical trials, so it’s important to understand the difference between fact and fiction.

MYTH: Clinical trials are experimental and use participants as “human guinea pigs”
FACT: That is far from the truth. Participants have a series of rights they are entitled to, including understanding the purpose of the study and any known risks involved.

MYTH: Clinical trials are dangerous
FACT: At the Lehigh Center for Clinical Research, we provide a comfortable environment and take many precautions to protect the safety of our participants. All trials are run by qualified physicians that care for the participants’ safety and are open with participants about the possible risks and benefits involved.

MYTH: Once I enroll, I need to finish the trial
FACT: Every participant has the right to withdraw from a clinical trial for ANY reason at ANY time.

If you’re interested in participating in one of our clinical trials, but you have some questions before enrolling, we’d be happy to answer them for you! Contact us today to speak to one of our team members.

No ride? No Problem!

Is reliable transportation an issue? We’re here to help! Let us know by reaching out to info@lehighcenter.com and we can make transportation arrangements for you through Lyft, Uber, or private car service.

The Lehigh Valley is a big place. Unsure of where we’re located? Visit our directions page for a better sense of where you’re going or just give us a call at 610-820-0342, and we’ll help you find your way.

Get to Know Our Team!

When you first arrive at the Lehigh Center for Clinical Research, you will be greeted by a friendly face!

One of these faces is that of our Director of Clinical Operations, Fran Schafer RN, BSN. Fran has been with our center for 20 years and helps all participants feel comfortable and well-informed from their first visit to their final one. She is always eager to answer any questions and walk participants through what to expect. Get to know Fran before your first visit.

1. What is your favorite part about your job?

“When I see a new treatment helping someone. It is rewarding to see someone’s symptoms improving when past treatments have not been successful. It is good knowing that the new treatment is helping this individual but also has the potential to help many others.”

2. What sets LCCR apart from other clinical research centers?

“LCCR is small enough to have a personal interest in every individual participant. Subjects will get to know our staff, who all become invested in their well being.”

3. What is the most common misconception about Clinical Research?

“That participants give up control. The reality is the decision to participate is always theirs. The study is thoroughly explained so they can make an educated decision whether to participate or not. They can discontinue participation at any time if they choose to do so.”

4. What are you most likely to be doing outside of work?

“I enjoy cooking, baking, golf, running”

5. What are some fun facts about yourself?

“I have been married 38 years and have 2 grown children. I grew up in Detroit as a Lions fan but living in the Lehigh Valley for the past 32 years, I am now a diehard Eagles fan. Although I do still have ties to my Michigan roots and I will always cheer for the Lions. My dog is named Maizey Blue for University of Michigan (The Maize and Blue).”

We Value Your Time

Interested in applying for a clinical trial in the Lehigh Valley, but feel you should be compensated? We agree! Oftentimes, compensation and incentives are provided for your time and travel, but it varies by study.

Possible additional incentives may include:

• Childcare Reimbursement
• Transportation Services
• Food Voucher
• Gift Cards
• Monetary Stipend
• New Parent Services such as Lactation Consultant and Breast Milk Bank
• Study Medication Diary Compliance Card Reward

For specific information regarding compensation, feel free to give our office a call at 610-820-0342. We’ll be more than happy to answer any questions you may have.

It’s Always Your Choice

We get it — life gets busy and while you may have had the freedom in your schedule to enroll in a clinical trial, your availability may change during the duration of the trial, preventing you from continuing. You can feel rest assured that your choice to continue the trial is up to you. You can withdraw from the trial at ANY time and for ANY reason, or we will try our best to accommodate any scheduling issues you may have and of course, we want to make sure you’re comfortable participating.

If you decide that the treatment isn’t what you had in mind or doesn’t seem to be working, you always have the option to continue or withdraw from the trial.

Accessibility to the Things You Need

You won’t have to go too far from the Lehigh Center for Clinical Research to find what you will need. Everything you will need to complete the clinical trials will be provided to you right here and you will never be required to provide any of the materials needed to complete the study, including medication.

The center has it all. For a complete list of everything accessible through the Lehigh Center’s office or building, check here.

Our office’s convenient location at 1245 South Cedar Crest Blvd., Suite 303, Allentown, PA 18103 allows easy access to many great nearby restaurants, stores, parks, and gas stations for you to visit before or after your appointments.

Health and Safety

The Lehigh Center takes health and safety seriously. We are complying with all health and safety measures outlined by the CDC and are following all state mandates regarding the COVID-19 pandemic. Our staff utilizes all of the required PPE, and we are spacing appointment times, so we can minimize contact between participants and appropriately sterilize and sanitize all office spaces.

Diverse Studies

The Lehigh Center provides clinical trials for a variety of conditions. Clinical trials we’ve conducted in the Lehigh Valley have included research on:

• ADHD
• Alzheimer’s Disease
• Anxiety
• Binge Eating Disorder
• Bipolar Disorder
• Depression
• Fibromyalgia
• Insomnia
• Migraines
• Post-traumatic Stress Disorder
• Postpartum Depression
• Schizophrenia
• Social Anxiety

View our current enrolling studies here.

The Lehigh Center has been providing top quality care to our participants and accurate and unbiased data to our pharmaceutical partners for 19 years. Are you ready to help us find tomorrow’s cures today? Simply find the study you would like to participate in and call our office or apply online today!