Our extensive clinical trials give you new hope
The Herbert-Herman Cancer Center offers many clinical trials for patients. We are proud to be one of the only regional programs accepting Phase 2 and Phase 3 clinical trials, treating all types of cancer and cancer stages. More than 1,200 UM Health-Sparrow patients have enrolled in clinical trials at the Herbert-Herman Cancer Center, and receive highly specialized care from clinicians and trained clinical trials team. Sometimes these patients are among the first to benefit from new cancer treatments.
There are clinical trials for breast cancer, lung cancer, genitourinary cancer, hematological cancer, gastrointestinal cancer, and other rare cancers. These rigorous trials help to identify drugs that work to stop cancer and treat the cancer patient.
Our team is dedicated to advancing cancer treatment and bringing you world-class cancer care. Through our clinical trial program, our patients get the top-ranked, multidisciplinary cancer treatment they need while helping to establish new and exciting standards in cancer care. The cancer center is part of a consortium of cancer centers in the state of Michigan with access to a wide variety of clinical trials sponsored by government organizations such as the National Cancer Institute, part of the National Institutes of Health and many leading pharmaceuticals.
Pioneering and personalized
UM Health-Sparrow was the first community-based hospital in the country to launch the Molecular Tumor Board (MTB) in collaboration with the Massachusetts-based genomics company Foundation One Medicine. The MTB concept has now expanded to more than 100 community hospitals across the country as well as internationally.
UM Health-Sparrow is one of the most successful hospitals in the country at registering patients for the TAPUR study when it was launched. TAPUR is a unique clinical trial that uses gene sequencing test results to match patients to a targeted cancer drug. The trial is aimed at attacking cancer at the molecular genetic level of a tumor and could lead to new standard care protocols for all patients for years to come. It represents a personalized medicine approach that is increasingly used to provide care for individuals and their unique specific needs. Michigan was one of the first states in the country to participate in the trial, the first organized by the American Society of Clinical Oncology.
UM Health-Sparrow Clinical Research Institute
UM Health-Sparrow joined forces with the Thoracic & Cardiovascular Healthcare Foundation (TCHF) in 2012 to create the UM Health-Sparrow Clinical Research Institute (SCRI).
TCHF, founded in June 1992 as a non-profit medical research foundation, did clinical research in cardiology, electrophysiology and cardiovascular surgery. The formation of SCRI allowed us to expand our research program to include more investigators and new medical specialties. We have conducted over 375 clinical trials and are actively recruiting new ventures.
We are also members of the Association of Clinical Research Professionals, members of Society of Clinical Research sites, certified in transportation of dangerous materials and have completed NIH and CITI research ethics training. We have worked with over 175 sponsors and clinical research organizations. Our clinical research coordinators are registered nurses and certified in clinical research and we have regulatory staff and data coordinators that work closely with our research coordinator staff.
Our Providers
Gordan Srkalovic, M.D., Ph.D.
Srkalovic is the Medical Director of Herbert-Herman Cancer Center and Chairman of UM Health-Sparrow Health System’s Cancer Committee. He also serves as the Director of Clinical Trials and Precision Medicine and is a physician at the Herbert-Herman Cancer Center, practicing hematology and oncology. Srkalovic was born in Sarajevo, Bosnia, and received his medical degree and Master of Science degree from the University of Sarajevo Medical School, as well as his Ph.D., from the University of Tuzla Medical School.
Harsha Trivedi, RN, Ph.D.
Trivedi is the Assistant Director of Clinical Trials and Precision Medicine at the Herbert-Herman Cancer Center. She holds RN and Ph.D. (Immunology-Medical Microbiology) degrees. She received fellowship training at the National Cancer Institute, NIH and worked there before moving to Michigan. She is passionate about clinical research and genomics to bring novel cutting-edge treatments for patients. She anchors the monthly Molecular Tumor Board and oversees the operations of the clinical trials unit of the cancer center working closely with Srkalovic and oncologists. She works with a team of amazing nurses whom she calls “tiny but mighty” in their passion for helping oncology patient’s journey through different clinical trials. The team works closely with the Radiology and Pathology departments for various facets of treatments. She is dedicated to helping patients find cutting-edge treatments and liaising with external sponsors. In her free time, she enjoys reading, music, movies and spending time with her family.
