Clinical Research

Rodica Pop-Busui, MD, PhD

“This year has showcased the many strengths of the Department of Internal Medicine and the immense value of our missions of research, education and patient care. Through our creativity, innovation, dedication, and teamwork, we were able to mobilize and provide vital care on the frontlines while continuing to pursue new answers and solutions that will make a difference for many in the future.” - Rodica Pop-Busui, MD, PhDLearn more about Dr. Pop-Busui.

Clinical & Health Services Research Connection

Internal Medicine has a sizable and accomplished history in health services research. Researchers from our department make up the largest group within U-M’s Institute for Healthcare Policy & Innovation (IHPI). Because our health services research footprint is so vast, we have the perfect opportunity to stimulate the development of clinical research projects that address pressing topics already being investigated by our IHPI colleagues, from healthy aging to the opioid epidemic. As our clinical trialists identify effective interventions, our outcomes researchers can examine them in clinical practice. And if an intervention falls short in practice, our trialists can compare alternatives. With our health services and clinical researchers working together, we can make quicker advancements to improve patient care.

In addition, the Department of Internal Medicine has strengthened their pre-award services. Seven Clinical Trials Support Units were created to optimize the department's ability to conduct clinical trial research and to become a true leader in providing meaningful findings that can reshape the clinical care of our patients. Also, having highly specialized personnel helps investigators and their teams with administrative tasks so they can dedicate more time to performing the actual scientific and research components of a project.

Clinical Trials Academy

The Clinical Trials Academy, offered jointly by the Department of Internal Medicine and the Medical School, is a hands-on training program in clinical research and clinical trial design.

Early Career Faculty/Investigator Forum

The Department of Internal Medicine’s Early Career Faculty/Investigator Forum is an interactive tool designed to increase awareness about a broad range of science discoveries within our department and institution that could be relevant to young investigators, facilitate connecting with other faculty and scientists with complementary interests, help to direct questions or concerns related to clinical translational research, and provide an easier access/link to the rest of the available resources related to clinical research.

The ultimate goals are to help early career faculty/investigators build a successful research program, advance collaborative team science efforts across our department and institution that will bring to trial new molecules pathways that are being identified by our basic scientists and enhance our department leadership in clinical research nationwide.

Michigan Medicine's Clinical Research Strategy

Michigan Medicine's clinical research infrastructure is strong and is focused on six key strategies:

  1. Foster a culture that values, rewards, and supports clinical trial activities.
  2. Develop a coordinated, sustainable infrastructure that supports operational excellence throughout the life cycle of clinical trials.
  3. Develop a highly trained, innovative, and skilled workforce, including those who initiate and those who conduct clinical trials.
  4. Translate Michigan Medicine discoveries into clinical trials.
  5. Fully integrate the clinical trials enterprise and the clinical care delivery system.
  6. Demonstrate the value of clinical trials to patients, families, and society.