Research has the power to transform and save lives.

We select clinical trials that we believe can offer real benefits to our patients — and we protect and closely monitor our patients through the entire clinical trial process. An Institutional Review Board (IRB) comprised of physicians, researchers and community advocates carefully evaluates the merits of each trial and ensures the clinical trial poses no unnecessary or inappropriate risks to patients.

We are proud to be one of the only medical practices in Northern California to offer patients local access to cancer studies that may change a course of treatment, offer a patient more options, provide relief from side effects or even contribute to the cure of a disease.

Current studies in Northern California include:​

  • NSCLC
  • SCLC
  • Breast
  • Hematologic
  • Lymphoma
  • Genitourinary
  • Gastrointestinal:
  • Head and Neck
  • Solid Tumor

If you are interested in learning how you might benefit from participating in a clinical trial, ask your doctor for more information or contact one of our certified clinical research coordinators at (707) 521-3830.

Pre-site Visit

Because exposure to COVID-19 poses an unforeseen increased risk for participants, decisions about whether to screen for a study or travel to St. Joseph Cancer Center for initiating trial treatment should be made in consultation with the research team. We appreciate your understanding as we take these necessary steps to prevent the spread of COVID-19. We remain committed to providing our patients with exceptional care during this challenging time

Additional Resources

Information for Patients

What is a clinical trial?

A clinical trial is a research study performed by medical professionals to evaluate new treatments. Through clinical studies, doctors find new and better ways to prevent, control and treat illnesses.

Each new treatment or medication is first studied in the laboratory to determine if it shows promise for patients who have a certain disease. Once a treatment has been evaluated in the lab, patients are asked to help test the therapy in a clinical trial. The new treatment must be proven safe and effective in clinical trials before earning Food & Drug Administration (FDA) approval for general use.

Why do people participate in clinical trials and research?

There are many reasons to participate in a research study. Many volunteer to receive new treatments and therapies that are not available otherwise. Others want to contribute to the advancement of medicine and benefit others with a similar illness. Whatever the reason, volunteers participating in clinical research are the driving force behind the medical advances that improve and heal so many lives.

Each clinical trial has specific criteria or guidelines that are used to identify appropriate participants - and ensure their safety. These criteria are based on factors such as age, gender, the type and stage of a disease, previous treatment history, and other medical conditions.

What should I know about clinical trials?

It's important that you have enough information to make a well-informed decision before participating in a clinical trial. To do this, we provide what's called an informed consent document that outlines all the information you need to know about the study. We'll go over the details of the study with you and want you to ask questions. You should only join a clinical trial if you feel you have enough information about the possible risks and benefits involved.

Joining a clinical trial is always voluntary and you may leave a study at any time.

What are the benefits and risks of participating in a clinical trial?

Clinical trials provide you with an opportunity to:

  • Play an active role in your own health care.
  • Gain access to new research treatments before they are widely available.
  • Help others by contributing to medical research.

Some potential risks may include:

  • Unpleasant, serious, or even life-threatening side effects to experimental treatment. These will be described in the informed consent document you will receive before enrolling in the clinical trial.
  • There is no guarantee that the experimental treatment may be effective.

In addition, the clinical trial protocol may require more of your time and attention than would a non-protocol treatment, including trips to the study site, more treatments, hospital stays or complex dosage requirements.

How do I join a clinical trial?

If you are interested in learning how you might benefit from participating in a clinical trial, ask your doctor for more information or contact one of our certified clinical research coordinators at (707) 521-3830.

Information for Sponsors

Providence Medical Group offers a complete and integrated approach to cancer care. We have a dedicated research department, staffed with six clinical research coordinators (four certified, one is an RN), a research/lab assistant, a data regulatory coordinator and full-time support staff. We are experienced in a wide assortment of oncology and hematology indications and have enrolled over 900 patients in clinical trials since 2000.

Our imaging department, located five miles from the research location, offers leading-edge diagnostic equipment including ultrasound, digital mammography, and stereotactic breast biopsy, X-ray, DEXA, PET, MRI and CT (including a 128 slice CT).

Our main oncology site hosts an infusion center with 16 chairs, 12 exam rooms (two dedicated to research) and seven medical oncologists (profiles below). Our sister sites provides increased patient pool for recruitment.

Please click the physician's name to read their full bio:

  • Wes Lee, MD: Board-certified in internal medicine and medical oncology; Dr. Lee received his MD and PhD from UCLA then completed his oncology fellowship at Stanford. He is very active in our clinical research programs. His academic research background began in 1985 and he has been conducting clinical research since 2003, serving as PI for prostate, melanoma and GU cancer studies.
  • Ian Anderson, MD: Board-certified in internal medicine and medical oncology, Dr. Anderson completed his fellowship at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. He has been conducting industrial and NIH research since 1995 with a particular interest in treatment of patients with lung cancer.
  • Jarrod Holmes, MD: A graduate of Duke University school of Medicine, Dr. Holmes is Board certified in internal medicine and subspecialties of medical oncology and hematology. A member of the American Association of Cancer Researchers, Dr. Holmes has been conducting clinical research as PI since 2006 and has multiple publications. His interests are in hematology, breast cancer and cancer vaccines.
  • L. Wayne Keiser, MD: A graduate of Stanford Medical School, Dr. Keiser completed his oncology fellowship at Yale. Board certified in medical oncology with interests in hematology, colon, GI and Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, he has been a PI since 1996.
  • Sara Keck, MD: Board-certified in internal medicine and medical oncology, Dr. Keck completed her oncology fellowship at UCSF. She has served as a clinical research coordinator and Sub I on several oncology studies. Her interests are in breast and gynecological cancers.
  • YaoYao Pollock, MD: Dr. Pollock is a geriatric oncologist with dual training in both geriatric medicine and hematology/oncology. She received her medical degree and internal medicine residency training at Johns Hopkins. She then completed fellowship training in Geriatrics at University of Michigan before completing her fellowship training in Hematology/Oncology at University of California San Francisco (UCSF).

If you are a sponsor or CRO and would like more information St. Joseph Health Medical Group's clinical trials and research programs, please call us at (707) 521-3830.

Meet our Research Team

Our dedicated research team is experienced and committed to research. We compassionately work with patients to ensure they are educated about their treatment options

Kimberly Young, RN, CCRC Research Director

Sara Keck, MD Medical Director of Clinical Research

Peg Jennings-Shaw, PhD Regulatory Coordinator

Kayla Cordes, CRC, Clinical Research Coordinator

Melissa Phillips Research Assistant

Lauren Weber Research Assistant

Tracy Foster, CCRC, Clinical Research Coordinator

Catherine Hollister, Clinical Research Coordinator

Teresa Lund, CCRC, Clinical Research Coordinator

Jan Nielsen Accounting

Hailey Hwangbo, FNP-CCamille Shaffer, Clinical Research Coordinator

Contact Information

How Can I Join A Trial?

If you are interested in joining a clinical trial, talk to your doctor or contact our Clinical Trials & Research department. Thank you for your interest in clinical research!

Connect with us:

St. Joseph Health
Clinical Trials & Research
3555 Round Barn Circle
Santa Rosa, CA 95403
Phone: (707) 521-3830
Kimberly.young@stjoe.org

Our Locations

Santa Rosa - Clinical Trials

Santa Rosa - Clinical Trials

Address
3555 Round Barn Circle

Santa Rosa, CA 95403