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Swabbing ourselves has become common. At home, Covid-19 tests were made so convenient that people could stay home and find out if they were positive in a matter of 15 minutes. Having that convenience of being able to do the same with other contagious illnesses such as the flu and RSV would be extremely beneficial […]

Hospitals around the country are seeing a rise in  RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) cases this season, especially among pediatric patients. RSV is a respiratory virus that attacks the lungs and can be very dangerous in older adults and infants who have weakened immune systems. It is known as a highly infectious virus and can sometimes […]

The flu virtually disappeared for two years as the pandemic raged. But influenza appears poised to stage a comeback this year in the United States, according to public health officials. The flu season has started early, and may be severe based on data the CDC reports weekly.  The number of flu cases are already on […]

Better Protection against Flu and RSV – mRNA Technology is a Game Changer in vaccine trials at Rochester Clinical Research Rochester Clinical Research (RCR) is currently studying mRNA vaccine development for infectious diseases such as Influenza (Flu) and RSV. The COVID pandemic put mRNA technology on a fast track, creating significant opportunities to change how […]

Rochester Clinical Research is proud to have worked on the BioHaven studies that show promise in treating acute migraines with a receptor antagonist known as Zavegepant. BioHaven Pharmaceuticals has been working on this investigational nasal spray that is now in phase 3 of development and is the only one of its kind that is close […]

Rochester Clinical Research is proud to have worked on the Tirzepatide drug clinical trials over the past few years. We have enrolled over 32 subjects over 2 different studies that have led to the newest findings for this new cutting-edge drug. Study data has been released and shows that it has so far been proven […]

Pneumococcal disease refers to any illness caused by pneumococcal bacteria. These bacteria can cause many types of illnesses, including pneumonia, which is an infection of the lungs.  Pneumococcal bacteria are one of the most common causes of pneumonia. Most pneumococcal infections are mild. However, some can result in long-term problems, such as brain damage or […]

For nearly 70 years flu vaccines have been made with the same technology: a process relying on chickens, Petri dishes, and dead viruses. Each year as flu season rolls around, so does a new flu shot. The current development process for flu vaccines is lengthy and involves a bit of prediction. These flu vaccines are […]

Hospitals around the country and even right here in Rochester are reporting an unseasonable outbreak of RSV cases. RSV, or Respiratory Syncytial Virus, is a common respiratory virus that usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms in adults. Unfortunately, RSV can cause serious complications in infants and older adults. In infants, RSV is the most common cause […]

As we approach the end of summer and into the fall season, the question arises “when do I get my flu shot?”. Flu prevention and getting the flu shot are more important than ever. If you have ever gotten the flu, or know someone who has, you know how truly awful it can be. Some […]

Cytomegalovirus, or CMV, is a common virus for people of all ages, and the most common infectious cause of birth defects in the U.S. Over half of adults have been infected with CMV by the age of 40. While most people infected with CMV show no signs or symptoms, the effects of CMV become harmful […]

Last year, our founder and CEO Patricia Larrabee decided to make a lasting legacy at her alma mater, the University of Rochester, and created The Larrabee Family Nursing Scholarship. This endowed scholarship will be used to assist with educational costs for students across all programs. Larrabee graduated from Brockport with her nursing degree in 1977. […]

#HealthHistory Celebrating revolutionary individuals who made historical advancements in medicine Jokichi Takamine was a biochemist, industrial leader, and pioneer of biotechnology.  Takamines most notable achievement was the isolation of the chemical adrenalin, also known as epinephrine. Takamine discovered how to isolate this from the suprarenal gland in 1901. This was the first pure hormone to be […]

Meet Vicky Fink, our guest blog author, and RCR’s Registered Dietitian and Diabetes Educator. She works closely with many of our study participants, especially those in our weight loss studies to help them develop lifelong healthy eating and exercise habits. Maybe you find yourself cooking and eating at home more during the covid pandemic? Are […]

RCR is proud to be a woman-owned business, meet the CEO, Patricia Larrabee. Patricia Larrabee MSN, NP-S Patricia founded RCR in 1994 with a vision. To provide the residents of the greater Rochester area access to clinical research studies, and to advance new medical treatments that improve quality of life. Patricia has done exactly that. […]

#HealthHistory Celebrating revolutionary individuals who made historical advancements in medicine Dr. Patricia Bath is known for being an innovative research scientist and advocate for blindness prevention, treatment and cure. Dr. Bath’s most well-known invention was the Laserphaco Probe, a device frequently used for cataracts. She received a patent for the device in 1988, becoming the first […]

#HealthHistory Celebrating revolutionary individuals who made historical advancements in medicine Dr. Audrey Evans is known as a pioneer in the clinical study and treatment of childhood cancers. She made historical medical advancements more specifically in neuroblastoma, the most common of childhood cancers.  Dr. Evans, originally from Britain, came to the US as a fellow at Boston […]

#HealthHistory Celebrating revolutionary individuals who made historical advancements in medicine Otis Boykin Meet Otis Boykin, an American Inventor, and Engineer Boykin is known for several important contributions to pacemakers and cardiac rhythm devices. Pacemakers are small devices that help the heart beat regularly by delivering small electric stimulation that controls the heartbeat. This device helps control […]

#HealthHistory Celebrating revolutionary individuals who made historical advancements in medicine Dr. Charles Richard Drew Meet Dr. Drew, also known as the “Father of the Blood Bank”. Dr. Drew made numerous contributions to medicine, including organizing America’s first large scale blood blank, finding new ways to preserve blood plasma as well as introducing mobile blood collection units. […]

#HealthHistory Celebrating revolutionary individuals who made historical advancements in medicine Dr. Jane C. Wright Dr. Jane C. Wright made historical medical advancements in cancer research and treatment and is noted for contributions to chemotherapy. During Dr. Wright’s time, chemotherapy was mostly experimental. She was one of the first to test many cancer chemotherapy treatments. Dr. […]

After the announcement of the FDA authorization of the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 Vaccines for emergency use, many are wondering when and if they will be eligible to receive it soon. For healthcare workers on the front line the possibility of vaccination in the near future is high, but for many of us the reality […]

There are many options available. Once people finish a clinical trial at RCR, they often ask when they can do another study. There generally has to be at least 30 days between studies. However, each study (from the one you just finished, to the one you would like to join) has a different set of […]

A study sponsor is exactly what it sounds – they sponsor, or take responsibility for and initiates a clinical research study. A study sponsor can be a pharmaceutical company, governmental agency, academic institution, person, group or private organization.  The sponsor does not actually conduct the investigation (that occurs at a research site like Rochester Clinical […]

Each study varies in the time commitment needed from our volunteers. Rochester Clinical Research offers single visit device studies which may last only one hour, as well as a long term vaccine study that could last up to five years. The time commitment of each study is determined by the protocol which outlines study specific […]

Migraines are often thought of as simply a “bad headache.” However, contrary to this common belief, they’re not. A migraine is comprised of multiple neurological symptoms – usually including a severe throbbing, and persistent pain on one side of the head. Migraine attacks can last from 4 hours, to as long as 72 hours. You […]

It’s always better to prevent a disease than to treat it. Vaccine prevent disease in the people who receive them. If enough people are vaccinated against a disease, then the disease cannot spread into their community. This is known as “Community Immunity.” How do Vaccines Protect from Diseases? When our immune system recognizes germs that […]

In order for every study to work appropriately and to answer a study specific question, every clinical trial must have a protocol. The protocol is the study plan on which a clinical trial is based. The plan is carefully designed to safeguard the health of the participants as well as answer specific research questions. A […]

In order to make sure a new drug or vaccine is effective, studies often use a placebo or control group. Placebos are “sugar pills” or “dummy drugs” with no active ingredients and are made to look like the real medicine. A control is a standard treatment (that may be currently used) for the illness. Both […]

Volunteers are frequently asked to fill out diaries when participating in a study at Rochester Clinical Research. Study diaries are an important tool to collect important information for the study sponsor. Collecting this information accurately is very important for your safety and for the success of the trial. Diaries often times can be electronic (either […]

Vitamin D is necessary for calcium and phosphate absorption and metabolism for healthy bones and teeth. Its primary food sources include fortified milk, butter, whole eggs and salmon. Vitamin D is made in the skin when exposed to sunlight. It is manufactured from cholesterol within cells that lie beneath the skin’s surface. Vitamin D deficiencies […]

Past, Present and Future of Osteoarthritis Cartilage – a word most of us have heard, but what is it? Cartilage is the smooth, glossy cushion on the end of the bones that make up our knees. Cartilage is made up of proteins (primarily collagen) that gives it strength and resilience, which functions as a shock […]

Clinical trials are conducted to collect information and data to find out if a specific drug or device is safe and effective. There are several phases of of research that are part of the approval process before the drug or device can be used by the general public. The first steps in research is developing […]

Have you heard the term biometric screening before? Now you have, and it might be in your best interest to schedule one soon! What is a biometric screening? A biometric screening is a simple procedure performed by a medical professional to calculate someone’s basic health statistics, otherwise known as biometrics. These screenings are quick, painless, […]

The chances are, the answer is yes. There are many conditions that can cause knee pain. In people under the age of 45, injuries to the knee are the most common source of discomfort. Possibilities include torn or injured cartilage, ligaments, tendons and muscles. If you are over the age of 45, the chances are […]

Vaccines play an important role in keeping us healthy, by reducing the risk of infection. The vaccine works with with our natural immune system to build defenses and immunity to a specific disease. When germs (either a bacteria or virus) invade the body, they attack and multiply. This is called an infection. In response, the body’s […]

Nothing ruins a perfectly good workday quite like a migraine. A migraine might be mild enough to where it might make work a little more challenging, or it might be severe that you cannot work at all. If you suffer from migraines, it is important to know what your triggers are and to plan out […]

A novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) has been featured on every headline this past week as the WHO declares the outbreak a global public-health emergency. The 2019-nCoV causes illness ranging from the common cold to mores severe diseases such as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), which can spread from person-to-person. The CDC believes that symptoms may appear […]

Each year, Rochester Clinical Research hosts a State of the Union address in March for all of the employees. The meeting recaps the year and looks to future plans that align with our mission – to excel in our field by providing quality care for study volunteers, quality data for sponsors and a quality team-oriented […]

WHEC News 10 in Rochester highlights RCR on March 8, 2019. Patricia Larrabee, Founder and CEO, spoke about RCR, and the volunteers who have become Research Heroes in the Rochester Area. Any medication or vaccine that you take, undergoes extensive research. This is not possible without the help of volunteers at a clinical research site. […]

Rochester is at the forefront of researching a new Lyme disease vaccine.   Rochester, N.Y. – Each year, approximately 30,000 cases of Lyme disease are reported to the CDC and recent estimates using other methods suggest that approximately 300,000 people may get Lyme disease each year in the United States.  While antibiotics can help treat […]

On January 15, 2019,  the Seniors Rock Show featured Adam Larrabee, President of RCR. Hosted by Joanna Palvino, she loves to laugh in the face of aging. Her mission is “make getting older a little more fun for everyone.” Adam guest starred on her show because she loves to include experts in aging related services […]

Rochester Clinical Research wishes you and yours a wonderful holiday season and a Happy New Year! RCR recently celebrated the holidays with various parties throughout the season. On December 13th, the RCR team celebrated at the Genesee Valley Club for a night out on the town. This was  enjoyed by the entire team and their […]

Rochester Clinical Research recently conducted the REWIND research study for Trulicity (dulaglutide). The REWIND study is assessing whether Trulicity could protect people with type 2 diabetes from experiencing an initial cardiovascular event. Also, it could prevent future events in those who have established cardiovascular disease. Trulicity is a once-weekly injectable prescription to improve blood sugar […]

From pumpkins to costumes, we celebrated Halloween with lots of fun on October 31st. The RCR staff competed in a pumpkin carving contest, with the winner being Mary Dinnan, RPA-C having 17 votes with the win. Her pumpkin was dressed to the nines, with a scarf, make up and a beauiful flower. Check out the […]

Everyone at Rochester Clinical Research celebrated Clinical Trial Day on Monday, May 21st. At RCR, we proudly conduct clinical research studies through our outstanding volunteers from Rochester, New York. The team loves being a part of Clinical Research because they not only are helping improve medicine but make a difference in many peoples’ lives. Join […]

When, in 2016, Mary Dinnan, RPA-C retired from practicing primary care and joined the team at Rochester Clinical Research, she quickly realized how much her day-to-day work in private practice had been influenced by clinical research. “I started to think — after having done primary care for 40 years — how much of what we do […]

If you’ve ever tried to make it through a day of work or school with a headache, you know how much pain can disrupt your everyday routines. Now imagine having headache pain several times a month — or more. That’s a common occurrence for the 39 million Americans suffering from migraine, a neurological disease that can […]

Everyday heroes — that’s the name that Dr. Matthew Davis and his team at Rochester Clinical Research have for those who participate in their clinical research studies. RCR’s research on these healthy adults helps prevent, detect, diagnose, control and treat illnesses. “We’re always in need of healthy people willing to help out their fellow man,” said Davis of the […]

Cold weather can really do a number on the already painful aches of arthritis. Below are a few tips to finding arthritis relief this winter. Dress Safe and Warm Keep aching hands in gloves, add layers over knees and legs. If you’re going outside wear solid, supportive shoes with good treads and avoid icy surfaces. Stay Hydrated […]

With such a severe flu season this year. Here are 10 tips and tricks to prevent the spread of germs brought to you by the CDC! Avoid close contact to anyone who is sick Don’t be a hero – if you are sick, stay home from work or school! Cover your mouth and nose when you sneeze […]

Christmas Spirit is in the air at Rochester Clinical Research. This year, RCR partnered with Mary Cariola Children’s Center to give one family a spectacular Christmas filled with lots of gifts! With over 30 gifts generously donated by our staff, we hope to spread the Christmas Cheer to those less fortunate than us. Happy Holidays from Rochester Clinical […]

Clostridium difficile (C. diff) is one of the most common causes of healthcare-related infections. It is estimated that each year in the United States, about a half million people get sick from C. difficile, and in recent years, C. difficile infections have become more frequent, severe, and difficult to treat. C. diff is a type […]

20 Minutes after quitting… your heart rate drops to a normal level 12 hours after quitting… the carbon monoxide level in your blood drops to normal 2 weeks – 3 months after quitting… your risk of having a heart attack drops and your lung function improves 1-9 months after quitting… your coughing and shortness of […]

What do you really know about C. Diff? 90% of deaths related to C. Diff occur in individuals who are 65 years of age and older, and 1 in 5 people who are infected have recurring infections. In total, C. Diff accounts for roughly 14,000 deaths per year. Read on to learn more about C. […]

It’s great to see progress being made in the clinical research industry! An article released 12/23/16 via Beckers Hospital Review highlights great strides being made in Ebola Vaccine research. A study on a new, experimental vaccine displayed 100% efficacy during clinical trials involving thousands of subjects in Guinea, Africa. Interested in reading more? Follow the link below! […]

Reuters: After a 22-year vaccination effort against the measles, the Pan American Health Organization said on Tuesday that The Americas has become the first region in the world to have eradicated measles. This is a tremendous accomplishment, given that measles continues to infect tens of thousands of people on a global scale. READ MORE

There are many risk factors involved with high blood pressure, but the 12 listed below are among the most common. High blood pressure is a common condition where the long-term force of the blood against artery walls is high enough to cause health problems such as heart disease. Blood pressure is determined is by the amount of […]