Maine Medical Center

Research & Clinical Trials

MaineHealth supports research and clinical trials throughout its health care system. The MaineHealth Institute for Research conducts cutting-edge biomedical research that provides advanced treatment options for MaineHealth patients.

MaineHealth Institute for Research

The MaineHealth Institute for Research (MHIR) is home to world-class scientists working on advanced biomedical problems. MHIR brings new treatments to MaineHealth patients, and the world, through a broad spectrum of research and clinical trials. Learn more

Successful medical research is a complex process requiring close collaboration of basic scientists, physicians, epidemiologists and data analysts, state-of-the-art instruments, and resources to protect clinical trial participants.

MaineHealth Office of Research Ethics and Compliance

The MaineHealth Office of Research Ethics and Compliance is responsible for providing training and support to MaineHealth clinicians, faculty and staff regarding regulatory requirements for scientific research. We seek to promote and ensure the highest standards for research compliance throughout the MaineHealth system. Learn more.

MaineHealth Institutional Review Board (IRB)

The MaineHealth Institutional Review Board (IRB) ensures that ethical and safe research practices are used when research is conducted with Human Subjects. All MaineHealth research projects involving human subjects, regardless of the source of funding, require IRB review and approval prior to implementation. Learn more.

Resource for providers
Provider feedback and questions

Clinical Trials

A clinical trial is a research study that helps scientists and doctors discover better ways to treat diseases. In a clinical trial, people try new treatments targeted at specific diseases. Researchers learn how well the experimental treatment works.

The MaineHealth Clinical Trials Office is dedicated to providing high quality clinical trials in accordance with Maine Health’s mission to care for our community, educate tomorrow’s caregivers and researching new ways to provide care.

MaineHealth is strongly committed to protecting the interests of patients who volunteer to participate in clinical trials. Before joining a clinical trial, patients should consult their doctor and gather as much information as possible about the trial. Through clinical trials, eligible patients:

• May get a new treatment for a disease before it is available to everyone.
• Play a more active role in their own health care.
• May be provided with medical care and more frequent health check-ups as part of the study treatment.
• May have the chance to help others get a better treatment for their health problems in the future.
• May have access to information about support groups and resources.

Looking for a clinical trial?

Access to new disease-fighting drugs and therapies may offer hope when standard treatments have not worked. If you are a provider or patient interested in learning more about clinical trials, visit:

Latest News

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Two MaineHealth Hospitals Earn 2023 Leapfrog Top Hospital Awards

Maine Medical Center in Portland received a Top Teaching Hospital distinction and Mid Coast Hospital in Brunswick received a Top General Hospital award for quality and safety.

MaineHealth Names Britt Crewse, MBA, MHS, CPA as new Regional President

Crewse, CEO of the University of Mississippi Medical Center, will oversee Maine Medical Center in Portland and Southern Maine Health Care in Biddeford and Sanford. He begins in January, 2024

SMHC Adds Donor Milk to Maternity Services

New parents who would like to breastfeed their babies exclusively but cannot will now be able to access pasteurized donor breast milk while in the hospital.

Dr. Lee Wolfrum Appointed Medical Director of Spring Harbor Hospital

Maine Behavioral Healthcare today announced the appointment of Lee Wolfrum, D.O., as Medical Director of Spring Harbor Hospital.