Mayo Clinic Health System Franciscan Healthcare professionals team up with scientists at Mayo Clinic and research centers across the country to evaluate new treatments and make cutting edge technologies available to patients we serve. Hundreds of patients have participated in our research studies over the years, helping to advance the science of health care while remaining close to home.

Search for clinical trials across Mayo Clinic and Mayo Clinic Health System locations.

Creating the Future of Medicine through Research

What is Clinical Research?
Clinical research involves patient-focused studies that can lead to better ways to detect, prevent, control and treat diseases and other health conditions. These studies may lead to new discoveries that can improve the quality of our lives and the lives of future generations.

What kind of research is happening at Franciscan Healthcare?
Numerous approved research studies are available for eligible patients in a variety of clinical areas, including:

• Cancer - Clinical trials are available in our Cancer Center for many types of cancers and for minimizing the symptoms caused by cancer treatment. Physicians and other staff help patients decide what the best treatment options are for their condition, which may include the opportunity to participate on a clinical trial.
• Heart Disease – Several clinical trials and observational studies are available through our Cardiology department for qualifying patients. Through these trials we are assessing cutting-edge treatment options for our patients so as to advance the management of heart disease. For more information, please contact a study coordinator at 608-392-9280.
• Digestive Tract – Various clinical trials are offered for difficult to treat digestive conditions such as Crohn’s Disease, Ulcerative Colitis and Fatty Liver Disease. For more information, please contact a study coordinator at 608-392-7187
• For information on research related to Geriatrics, Family Medicine, Obstetrics & Gynecology, and selected other clinical areas please call 608-392-9462.

Why Do We Have Clinical Trials?
Clinical trials allow our experts to: 

• compare existing treatments to determine which is best.
• study different ways to use standard (approved) treatments, so they will be more effective, easier to use, and/or decrease side effects.
• see if a new drug or device is safe and effective for people to use.

How is Medical Research Funded?
Some studies are funded by charitable contributions to Franciscan Healthcare Foundation. Foundation donors have generously supported many types of research since 1996. Other studies are sponsored by grants from various local and national organizations, governmental agencies or from commercial companies.

How is the Safety of Study Participants protected?
All research activity conducted is reviewed by a group of individuals, referred to as an Institutional Review Board (IRB). This group, which includes scientists and community members, meets regularly to approve new studies and ensure safeguards are in place to protect the rights and welfare of research participants. The IRB review process is guided by federal rules and regulations, and is based on the Protection of Human Subject Code of Federal Regulations and the Belmont Report.

Does Insurance Cover any Costs of Participating in Research?
Insurance coverage for clinical trials varies by individual policy and depends on the nature of the study. Participants must review their own policy benefits and contact their insurance company for specific limitations, if any. If the participant’s insurance is Medicare, more information can be found here.

How Can I Get More Information about the Franciscan Healthcare Research Program?
For more information on clinical trials and other research opportunities please call 608-392-9462.

Other sources of information on research and clinical trials: 
Research at Mayo Clinic
National Institutes of Health
Food and Drug Administration
Clinicaltrials.gov - a registry of clinical studies of human participants from the National Institutes of Health

STRIVE Study
Mayo Clinic Health System – Franciscan Healthcare is enrolling women who receive a screening mammogram in La Crosse or Onalaska in the STRIVE Study, a longitudinal study to evaluate a new option for detecting breast cancer early. This new technology, developed by GRAIL, uses a blood test to find small pieces of DNA released into the blood by tumors. Mayo Clinic Health System – Franciscan Healthcare will be recruiting 6,000 patients over the next year to participate. 

Your support can further medical research at Mayo Clinic Health System – Franciscan Healthcare. For more information or to make a gift visit the Franciscan Healthcare Foundation web.