UC Health Reproductive Medicine Research (RMR)

UC Health Reproductive Medicine Research (RMR) is the research center serving the Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility in Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Cincinnati. Since the center’s inception in 1988, it has been a stand-alone research facility for conducting outpatient clinical trials specific to women’s health.

Celebrating over 20 years of operation, UC Health Reproductive Medicine Research is committed to innovative scientific research for women. Major areas of research include: gynecology (contraception, menstrual cramps, endometriosis, vaginal infection), menopause (osteoporosis, libido, vaginal atrophy, hormone replacement therapies) and infertility.

Currently under the direction of Michael A. Thomas, MD (Medical Director) RMR provides the clinical infrastructure to support the research activities of the department’s faculty.

Our Mission
Focus of our Research
Our Facility
Funding for Our Research
Our Current Studies
What to Expect for Study Participants
Our Staff of Research Professionals

Our Mission

UC Health Reproductive Medicine Research is committed to conducting innovative scientific research to advance medical knowledge and treatments in women’s health. We provide quality research services in a patient-friendly atmosphere that serves both academic and industry needs.

Our investigators are members of the University of Cincinnati faculty and are nationally recognized for their research and practice in Obstetrics and Gynecology. Our commitment toward excellence in research is clearly demonstrated by the reputations of our physicians and by our well-trained staff.

Back to top

Focus of our Research

UC Health Reproductive Medicine Research focuses specifically on research studies in women’s health. Throughout the past 20 years, we have conducted numerous research studies in the following areas:

  • contraceptive devices and methods
  • endometriosis
  • menstrual cramps
  • heavy menstrual bleeding
  • infertility
  • vaginal infections
  • female sexual dysfunction, libido
  • menopause (hot flashes, vaginal dryness)

Some of these studies have resulted in new treatment options for women that include: Fosamax (for prevention and treatment of osteoporosis), Novasure (an endometrial ablation system for treatment of heavy menstrual bleeding), low-dose Premarin, PremPro, Evista, Yasmin, Ortho Tri Cyclen, Ortho Tri Cyclen Lo, Mirena, a contraceptive vaginal ring, and other products.

Back to top

Our Facility

UC Health Reproductive Medicine Research is located in the Holmes Hospital Building in Clifton across from the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. The center is a stand-alone research facility that includes three exam rooms, seven coordinator offices, two conference rooms and a specimen processing lab. We have a digital colposcope, a refrigerated centrifuge, specimen refrigerator, -20° C freezer and access to a -70° C freezer and dry ice. In addition, we have six computers with Internet connection though a LAN and a document scanner.

Directions to our Facility

Back to top

Funding for Our Research

UC Health Reproductive Medicine Research receives funding from federal and industry sources. As an academic health center, we actively write and receive grant funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Under the local direction of Dr. Thomas, we participate in the contraceptive Clinical Trials Network, a network of 12 research centers funded by the National Institute for Child Health and Development (NICHD). Consistent with the academic mission of the University, we support many non-funded, Investigator-Initiated studies for our faculty and fellows.

Additional funding is received on a contracted fee-for-service basis for the pharmaceutical industry. We have worked with numerous industry sponsors including Agile Therapeutics, Ausio Pharmaceuticals, Bayer Healthcare, Boehringer-Ingelheim, Pfizer, CONRAD, Ferring, GlaxoSmithKline, Hermann-LaRoche, Hologic, Medicines 360, Merck, Neurocrine Biosciences, Novacept, Organon/Schering, Procter & Gamble, Serono, Wyeth and Xanodyne.

Back to top

Our Current Studies

To view our current research studies or other research studies at UC Health please visit our Clinical Research webpage by clicking here.

For more information or to see if you might qualify for any UC Health Reproductive Medicine Research studies please contact our research staff at (513) 584-4100 or contact us by e-mail.

Back to top

What To Expect for Study Participants

Participating in a research study means that you can make a difference in the future of health care.

Drug research and development occurs in several phases, each with different goals for the developmental process.

Phase 1 Studies

Phase 1 studies are the first time an investigational drug is used in humans. Phase 1 studies are usually conducted in a small number of healthy volunteer subjects (typically between 20 and 80) and are closely monitored. The goals are to determine how the drug is absorbed and eliminated from the body, to determine a safe dose range for the drug and to gather information that will help researchers design a study for the next phase, Phase 2.

Phase 2 Studies

Phase 2 studies are the first examination of the effectiveness of an investigational drug for a particular condition. These studies are conducted in several hundred patients (200-300) who have the disease or condition. Phase 2 studies are typically well controlled and closely monitored to determine the preliminary effectiveness, short-term side effects and risks associated with the drug.

Phase 3 Studies

Phase 3 studies are performed if there is preliminary evidence of effectiveness for a particular condition (from Phase 2 studies). Phase 3 studies are needed to gather more information about a drug’s effectiveness, safety and appropriate dosage in different clinical settings. The goal is to evaluate the overall benefit-risk relationship (does the benefit outweigh the risks?) and to gather enough information for physicians and product labeling. Phase 3 studies are performed in a variety of clinical settings and in large numbers of patients (400-1,000s).

Once the sponsor has gathered enough information from carefully designed studies and is able to show that the drug is safe and effective, the sponsor applies to the FDA for approval to market the drug.

Phase 4 Studies

Phase 4 studies are after-market studies. The FDA may ask the sponsor to gather additional information about the drug. Phase 4 studies may focus on gathering additional information about the drug’s risks and benefits, different doses or dosing schedules, different patient populations, different stages of the disease or effects of the use of the drug over longer periods of time.

Protecting you

Through all phases of drug development, the Code of Federal Regulations provides sponsors and investigators with guidelines for research and development. Sponsors and investigators must abide by these regulations when conducting clinical trials. These guidelines dictate various requirements of research including the informed consent process, safety monitoring, quality of the data and many more.

This means that when you participate in a study all study procedures will be completely explained to you before you decide if you want to participate. All procedures that are performed for the study are at no cost to you and the results are closely monitored by the investigator. Your research records are confidential. You may be compensated for your time and travel.

Back to top

Our Staff of Research Professionals

Michael A. Thomas, MD

Dr. Thomas has been involved with the research center since its beginnings in 1988. He has participated in over 100 clinical trials, both NIH and industry sponsored, in his many years at the University of Cincinnati. Dr. Thomas has been the Medical Director of the research center for over 10 years.

Suruchi Thakore, MD

Dr. Thakore joined the UC Center for Reproductive Health in August 2016 after completing her Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility Fellowship at University Hospitals at Case Western Reserve University. She is Board Certified OB/GYN. Dr. Thakore received her medical degree from the State University of New York (SUNY) at Buffalo School of Medicine in 2009. In 2013, she completed her OB/GYN residency at the Women and Children’s Hospital in Buffalo, NY. Most recently Dr. Thakore has joined UC Health in their Center for Reproductive Health located at West Chester Hospital. Her interests include polycystic ovarian syndrome, endocrine disorders, and fertility preservation. Her current research is focused on the influences of hormonal contraception on the human immune system within the female reproductive tract and its relationship to acquiring viral infections.

Emily Hurley, MD

Emily Hurley, MD, is trained in obstetrics and gynecology, and completed a three-year fellowship in reproductive endocrinology and infertility at UC Health.

Passionate about women’s health, Dr. Hurley knew from a young age she wanted to pursue a career in the medicine. During her fourth year of medical school at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Dr. Hurley worked with reproductive endocrinology and infertility specialists at UC Health and found her calling.

Dr. Hurley’s advocacy for educating and counseling women on their reproductive health and fertility options goes beyond her clinical work with her patients. In 2018, she published, “Postponing Childbearing and Fertility Preservation in Young Professional Women.” In the study, young women’s awareness of ovarian reserve testing and oocyte cryopreservation (egg freezing) were evaluated. The results found that when women were aware their fertility was declining, they were more interested in oocyte cryopreservation. The study further reinforced women should be both counseled and educated on possible options to preserve their fertility at a young age.

Dr. Hurley chose to join the experts at UC Health, embracing their high standards of patient care, while training the next generation of physicians. From her experience, UC Health is comprised of some of the most knowledgeable and trustworthy staff, dedicated to the care of patients and families.
In her role as study coordinator, she has been involved in study screening/enrollment, performing all patient procedures within her scope of practice, completing Case Report Forms and maintaining regulatory files. She has assisted in protocol development for the Contraceptive Clinical Trials Network (CCTN, Principal Investigator: Michael Thomas, MD). She coordinates CCTN studies as well as a variety of industry-sponsored studies.

Jason St. Pierre, PhD

Dr. St. Pierre, Assistant Professor, Laboratory Director, joined the UC Center for Reproductive Health in October 2015. He received his B.S. in Biology at Bowling Green State University in 1993. Following graduation, he returned home to the Dayton area to work in the infertility field and to pursue his doctorate degree in Developmental Biology which was awarded in 2001 at the University of Dayton. Dr. St.Pierre has worked in the infertility field for over 20 years serving as an Embryologist, Technical Supervisor, and Laboratory Director. In 2002 he was board certified as a High Complexity Laboratory Director (HCLD) and as an Embryological Laboratory Director (ELD). Dr. St.Pierre is a member of the American Society of Reproductive Medicine, the Society of Assisted Reproductive Technology, and the American Association of Bioanalysts.
Deborah Boerschig, CNP, CCRC

Deborah Boerschig, CNP, CCRC

Ms. Boerschig has over 40 years of experience in nursing with 20 years as a Nurse Practitioner and over 15 years of experience in clinical research. Ms. Boerschig earned Clinical Research Coordinator Certification in 2003.

 

Back to top

  • Contact Us

    (513) 584-4100

  • Reproductive Health Podcasts