Research March 2026 Newsletter

Dear Colleagues,

As we look ahead to Research Day 2026 on Tuesday, April 21st, we are excited to continue building momentum for this signature event.

We are pleased to share that this year’s keynote speaker has been confirmed as, Gary M. Vilke, MD, FACEP, FAAEM and the topic of the keynote address will be announced in the coming weeks. We look forward to sharing more details soon about what promises to be an engaging and inspiring presentation.

In the meantime, information regarding the Dr. Vilke’s bio, the full agenda for the event, call for abstracts, and important deadlines can be found in the articles below.

Thank you for your continued commitment to advancing research and discovery across our institution. We hope you will join us for this special day of learning and collaboration.

Warm regards,

Michael Wilson, MD, PhD

Health Systems Science Research Interest Group
 

The Health Systems Science Research Interest Group meets bimonthly to discuss the scholarship of quality improvement and implementation science with the goal of creating a learning health system at Carilion Clinic.

If you’re interested in joining the email list for this group (our meeting times vary), email Dawn Smith (dvsmith@carilionclinic.org). For question about the group - email John Epling (jwepling@carilionclinic.org).

Satellite Sites for Clinical Research

Expanding clinical trial activities beyond Roanoke is a key initiative of the Department of Medicine Clinical Research Unit (DoM CRU). In addition to 40+ trials at Roanoke Memorial Hospital, Carilion’s main site for clinical research, DoM CRU now supports study activities at four satellite locations: Roanoke Community Hospital (CRCH), New River Valley Medical Center (CNRV), Rockbridge Community Hospital (CRBH), and Franklin Memorial Hospital (CFMH).

Like research itself, expansion to satellite study sites involves thoughtful questions, comprehensive answers, and creative solutions.

Questions like: Where will participants park? Who is the sample courier? Is there desk space for research team members? What measures keep PHI secure? Can samples be processed onsite? How much temperature-monitored storage is available? When is dry ice delivered—or does someone have to buy it locally?

Many of these issues may seem trivial, but if unresolved, they can become roadblocks to completing trial activities. However, site-specific workflows, work arounds, and procedural dry runs have succeeded in increasing Carilion’s clinical trials presence throughout its network.

Although the sites vary in size, setting, and resources, they all accomplish high-quality, participant-focused research, without excessive use of dedicated space or equipment. Study-specific principal investigators are onsite at all locations. Designated research staff serve each location but are full- or part-time, depending on need. For example, at CRBH, full-time coverage is achieved through 2 part-time employees. Some sites offer dedicated research facilities; at others, space for study activities is reserved by appointment. Three of the current satellite sites focus on inpatient trials, and two accommodate studies with outpatient activities (Table 1).

Enlarging our research capacity is a good thing on many fronts. “Broadening clinical trial activity beyond Roanoke strengthens both our health system and our science,” says Dr Lana Wahid, Vice Chair of Research. “By integrating research into our community hospitals, we expand rural participants’ access to innovative therapies. This also enhances the diversity of our research populations and the real-world applicability of our findings. This model ensures that the benefits of clinical research extend across our entire region—not just at a single flagship site.”

Dr Wahid and Julie Eckstrand, Senior Director of Research, spearhead the research expansion initiative. In addition, our Clinical Research Unit staff have been—and continue to be—integral to this effort. They solve onsite logistics dilemmas, are willing and flexible (even on weekends) to do numerous set-up tasks, and show poised resilience during study startup.

As resources, needs, and interest grow, so will the clinical trials supported at Carilion’s Roanoke and satellite research sites. Increasing our clinical research reach brings new treatments closer to the communities we serve.