MCVI program at Covenant first to enroll participants

In the mid 1990s, the Michigan CardioVascular Institute Research Department at Covenant HealthCare was formed. This department facilitates the last step of clinical trials before medical advances are available to the public.

Recently, the department has been busy with the Stem Cell & Regenerative Medicine Program, enrolling the first patients in the nation and first patient in the state for two clinical trials.

Kerwood Woody Crutchfield of Caro, is one of those patients.

Suffering from eight heart attacks over the years, Kerwood was diagnosed with congestive heart failure, a disorder that occurs when the heart is unable to pump sufficient blood flow through the body.

About 10 years ago we heard about these clinical trials, Crutchfield said. I have been looking into studies like this for several years. I had originally enrolled in another study, but it was a restrictive program and I tested out.

After that, Crutchfield was contacted as a candidate for the STOP-HF Trial with the Saginaw-based research department.

Considerable scientific evidence has emerged over the past decade demonstrating the high therapeutic potential of stem cell-based regenerative medicine for a host of diseases, officials stated. Stem cells are the building blocks for every organ, tissue and cell in the human body. They have the ability to develop into many different cell types, and in many tissues serve as an internal repair system, dividing essentially without limit to replenish other cells.

Crutchfield was the first person in the state to enroll in the program.

Im happy to do it, he said. When asked why, he responded, Im just hoping to extend my time here on earth and for the future to make an impact on the future.

Crutchfield is one of 90 patients who will enroll nationwide.

Continue reading here:
MCVI program at Covenant first to enroll participants