The PMA Clinical Research Center

Clinical research trials are used to test the safety and effectiveness of drugs and medical procedures in a human population. The ongoing collaboration between clinical investigators and study volunteers is a foundation of modern healthcare, because clinical trials help to set the standards for high quality patient care. Additionally, there are potential benefits for clinical trial volunteers. For example, study volunteers can gain access to new research treatments before they are widely available, and thus, help others by making a valuable contribution to medical research.

To meet this challenge, the Pediatric Medical Associates (PMA) Research Center was established in 1999. Our mission is to offer our families the opportunity to participate in “cutting edge” clinical research initiatives. We have always been a leader in recognizing the individualized needs of children, and participating in clinical trials allows us to take an active role in the development of new medications and vaccines that will one day benefit our children.

The PMA Research Center is comprised of four physicians, two certified pediatric nurse practitioners, and a study coordinator. Our entire research team has had training in Good Clinical Practice Guidelines and remains up to date on all active protocols in the office as well as relevant issues in the clinical trials arena.

Ensuring the Safety of Clinical Trials

Every clinical trial in the U.S. must be approved and monitored by an Institutional Review Board (IRB). An IRB is an independent committee of physicians, statisticians, community advocates, and others whose objective is to ensure that a clinical trial is ethical and the rights of study participants are protected. The IRB also reviews a proposed clinical trial protocol to ensure that the risks involved in participating in a trial are significantly outweighed by the potential benefits. Federal law stipulates that all institutions that conduct or support biomedical research involving people must have an IRB that initially approves and periodically reviews the research projects.

National Institutes of Health Clinical Research Website  

A new National Institutes of Health (NIH) website, Children and Clinical Studies, offers parents and health care providers an insider's view of children's medical research. The site includes current information on how clinical studies in youth are conducted with video of children, parents, and healthcare providers discussing the benefits and challenges of participating in research studies.

The website describes why research in children is important, how studies are conducted, and what measures are taken to protect your child’s safety and privacy. The site is designed to help parents and others learn more about how clinical studies are conducted in children, so they can make well-informed decisions about the risks and rewards of clinical research, and whether to enroll their child in a study.

For more information, please vist the new NIH website for Children and Clinical Studies.

For Additional Information

If you would like additional information about the PMA Research Center, or have specific questions regarding ongoing clinical trials or enrolling your child in one of our studies, please call the Study Coordinator for the PMA Research Center at (267) 441-5398.