St. Lawrence Health Clinical and Rural Health Research Center has received an Outstanding Rural Health Program of the Year Award from the New York State Association for Rural Health.

St. Lawrence Health (SLH) Clinical and Rural Health Research Department was founded in 2015 with the goal of providing access to state-of-the-art health care options to North Country residents. Prior to this, residents of St. Lawrence County had to travel to Syracuse, Rochester, or Burlington - all at least two hours away - to access clinical trials to treat their medical conditions. This places an unfair burden on rural residents to travel long distances (often with a family caregiver), to bear the costs of travel and lodging, and to leave their local support networks at the times they need them most. 

By establishing a Clinical and Rural Health Research Department in St. Lawrence County, they wanted to provide the best care close to home.

SLH Clinical and Rural Health Research Department has been instrumental in bringing clinical studies and trials to St. Lawrence County’s rural population. These studies and trials have facilitated innovative approaches to medical treatment options for the community.

SLHS Clinical and Rural Health Research Department provides inclusive educational opportunities through webinars, programing, and surveys. It provides support to local physicians to conduct clinical trials and collaborates with students and faculty SUNY Potsdam, Clarkson University, St. Lawrence University, and SUNY Canton. The impact that the SLH Clinical and Rural Health Research Department makes is exemplary and could be replicated to increase equitable access to advanced therapeutics in other rural communities.