Patients & Volunteers
Why Patients and Volunteers are the Heart of Clinical Research
When people think about clinical research, they often picture laboratories, scientists, pharmaceutical companies, or advanced technology. Yet the truth is far simpler—and far more important.
None of those things matter without patients and volunteers.
Every medical breakthrough, every new therapy, every vaccine, and every life-saving treatment that exists today became possible because individuals were willing to participate in clinical research. Patients volunteering in clinical trials are offered new drug treatments and medical equipment they would otherwise never be able to access.
When a person joins a clinical trial, they become part of a process that advances medicine for millions of others.
Clinical research allows physicians and scientists to answer critical questions:
• Does a new treatment work better than current therapies?
• Is it safe?
• What dosage is most effective?
• Which patients benefit the most?
These answers cannot come from theory alone. They come from carefully conducted studies involving individuals who choose to participate.
Many of the treatments we now take for granted—from blood pressure medications to cancer therapies, from insulin innovations to vaccines—exist today because patients before us participated in clinical trials.
Every participant contributes to the progress of medicine.
Safety First & Informed Consent
Clinical research operates under strict protections for volunteers/participants, designed to ensure participant safety and understanding.
Before any clinical trial begins, it must be reviewed and approved by an Institutional Review Board (IRB)—an independent group of physicians, scientists, and community members whose role is to ensure that studies are ethical and that participants are protected.
Participants are also provided with informed consent, which means they receive clear explanations of:
• The purpose of the study
• The potential risks and benefits
• The procedures involved
• Their rights as a participant
Most importantly, participation is ALWAYS voluntary.
Participants can ask questions, take time to consider their decision, and withdraw from the study at any point. Their care and well-being always come first.
Where Can You Join a Clinical Trial?
State-By-State Clinical Site Enrollment:
Last updated 03/12/26
Alabama:
Northeast Alabama Pediatrics
304 4th St. Anniston, Al 36201
(256) 237-1184
California:
Centro Medico Community Clinic - Corona
1303 W 6th St., Ste. 105
Corona, CA 92882
(844) 223-6876
Centro Medico Community Clinic - Vernon Ave.
231 W Vernon Ave., #203
Los Angeles, CA 90037
(844) 223-6876
Centro Medico Community Clinic - Santa Rosalia Dr.
3762 Santa Rosalia Dr.
Los Angeles, CA 90008
(844) 223-6876
Kentucky:
Omni Resources Services Inc.
2009 W. Broadway
Louisville, KY 40203
(888) 505-0793
New York:
Metro Community Health Centers - Bronx
979 Cross Bronx Expy. Service Rd.
Bronx, NY 10406
(718) 665-7576
Metro Community Health Centers - Brooklyn
177 Livingston St., Lower Level
Brooklyn, NY 10201
(718) 855-7707
Metro Community Health Centers - Manhattan
335 E. 24th St., #1B
Manhattan, NY 10010
(212) 209-5102
Metro Community Health Centers - Staten Island
2324 Forest Ave.
Staten Island, NY 10303
(718) 447-0200
Open Door Care Network - Mount Kisco
30 W. Main St.
Mount Kisco, NY 10549
(914) 632-2737
Open Door Care Network - Brewster
155 Main St., Ste. 101
Brewster, NY 10509
(914) 632-2737
Open Door Care Network - Ossining
165 Main St.
Ossining, NY 10562
(914) 632-2737
Open Door Care Network - Sleepy Hollow
80 Beekman Ave
Sleepy Hollow, NY 10591
(914) 632-2737
Open Door Care Network - Port Chester
5 Grace Church St.
Port Chester, NY 10573
(914) 632-2737
Open Door Care Network - Mamaroneck
689 Mamaroneck Avenue
Mamaroneck, NY 10543
(914) 632-2737
