A study team that first opened its recruitment in southern Indiana earlier this year has seen remarkable growth in patient enrollment over the last eight months. The study, known as Hoosier Moms study, observes pregnant women in order to understand the risks associated with gestational diabetes, and also aims to prevent Type 2 diabetes.

Before the second site in Evansville was added in February, only one site existed in Indianapolis. Expanding to Evansville was a key component of the study's success.

The team began recruiting in the area last winter, and has since enrolled 45 patients to participate.

Indiana University School of Medicine partnered with the Research Institute of Deaconess Clinic in Evansville for this study.

David Haas, MD, leads the IU Precision Health Initiative Type 2 diabetes disease research team, as well as the Hoosier Moms study. He credits Deaconess' long-time experience for the success in recruitment.

"Deaconess was used to doing industry sponsored studies, so they had an infrastructure and people who knew how to do research," said Haas. "The process and knowledge base about human subjects research was already there. I am confident that having the health care provider 'boots on the ground' helping advocate for the study was very influential in driving success. The leadership of their research endeavor and their clinicians were fully behind and supportive of the effort and collaboration."

The Research Institute of Deaconess Clinic has supported more than 800 clinical studies since 1996. Learn more about the Deaconess' clinical trials here.