pulmonology research

research to improve care for children with diseases of the lungs

Dayton Children’s participates in research to better understand and treat diseases related to the pulmonary system, such as cystic fibrosis, sleep apnea and asthma. These include studies to evaluate new drugs, develop less invasive diagnostic testing techniques, reduce hospitalizations, and more.

cystic fibrosis research

Dayton Children’s is a member of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation’s Therapeutics Development Network, the largest network of cystic fibrosis clinical trials in the world. This means our patients have the opportunity to participate in the network’s extensive research studies. We also maintain a registry to track our patients’ treatments, outcomes and health status.

All cystic fibrosis patients who are eligible for a research study are given an opportunity to participate, but participation is voluntary. Our providers will discuss what studies are available to each patient. If you are interested in learning more about a particular research study, one of our pulmonary research nurses will talk to you about what is involved. This conversation could include topics such as:

• What drug or drugs are being studied
• What kind of testing or procedures will be used
• Possible side effects from treatment
• The length of the study and number of clinic visits involved

Our pulmonary research nurses are responsible for coordinating the program’s clinical research studies. They review research studies to decide which ones are a good fit for our patients, educate families about research participation, help families enroll in studies and monitor each patient’s involvement. They also keep families informed about other studies taking place at cystic fibrosis centers in our region. When patients travel to another center for a research study, Dayton Children’s typically remains their center of care.

For more information about cystic fibrosis studies at Dayton Children’s, please contact:

• Gary Mueller, MD, pediatric pulmonologist and director of the Cystic Fibrosis Center at Dayton Children’s, at muellerg@childrensdayton.org
• Or Sandy Bartosik, MS, RN, CCRC, pulmonary research nurse, at bartosiks@childrensdayton.org