Oxnard, California, December 17, 2024 – FOMAT Medical Research, an industry leader in fostering diversity in clinical research, has partnered with Golden Valley Health Centers (GVHC), one of the largest nonprofit healthcare providers in Central and Northern California, to offer clinical trial opportunities and advanced treatment options to underserved communities. This alliance will bring innovative clinical research directly to over 160,000 patients across Merced, Stanislaus, and San Joaquin counties, improving access to cutting-edge therapies and striving for equitable healthcare.
GVHC, serving highly diverse communities that includes Hispanic, Asian, Black, and American Indian patients, is integrating clinical research into its comprehensive care model for the first time. This partnership enables both organizations to reach traditionally underrepresented groups in clinical trials, by breaking down barriers and bringing advanced treatment options to communities often without access to groundbreaking research and innovative therapies.
Through this collaboration, FOMAT and GVHC aim to make clinical research a seamless part of patient care. By leveraging GVHC’s community trust and FOMAT’s expertise in patient recruitment and clinical operations, the partnership will drive impactful studies in pediatrics, women’s health, geriatrics, behavioral health, and more, ensuring healthcare advancements reach the communities that need them most.
“Partnering with Golden Valley Health Centers, an organization deeply committed to quality healthcare, aligns with our mission to expand diverse clinical research options in underserved communities,” said Nicholas Focil, CEO of FOMAT Medical Research. “This collaboration is a vital step in ensuring that all communities, particularly those often overlooked, have access to innovative therapies that can make a real difference. By bringing research directly into these communities, we not only increase representation in clinical studies but also improve overall health outcomes through equitable access to the latest advancements in medicine.”
FOMAT’s hub and spoke model, fully integrates research into a health system through direct local investment in the clinical trial infrastructure, facilitating a seamless and comprehensive care offering to patients in the community while minimizing any disruption to GVHC in its mission to provide critical access to care in underserved communities across the region.
“Golden Valley Health Centers’ partnership with FOMAT Medical Research introduces an essential new facet of care for our patients,” said David Quackenbush, President and CEO of GVHC. “Incorporating clinical research into our healthcare services furthers our mission of delivering high-quality healthcare for all and allows us to provide our patients access to the latest advancements in medicine.”
Through this partnership, both organizations will work to attract new clinical research opportunities and improve patient outcomes, while also ensuring that much-needed diversity and inclusion data is properly represented in clinical trial data. Recently updated FDA guidance was issued earlier this year that will result in a change in the way pharmaceutical companies conduct clinical research. This will mandate population inclusivity strategies and data collection which more accurately reflects the diversity of the people who will ultimately use a variety of new therapies. The exciting new program will facilitate positive changes in clinical research and support the missions of FOMAT and Golden Valley Health Centers.
About FOMAT Medical Research:
FOMAT Medical Research is a leading Site Management Organization (SMO) dedicated to advancing clinical trials and improving patient care through diversity and innovation. With a network of research sites primarily on the West Coast and throughout California, FOMAT is renowned for its expertise in patient recruitment, quality assurance, and operational efficiency. The organization specializes in conducting Phase I-IV studies across various therapeutic areas, including oncology, metabolic disorders, cardiovascular diseases, infectious diseases, and others. FOMAT’s highly trained staff, which includes bilingual professionals, works closely with sponsors, CROs, and healthcare providers to ensure the success of every study. FOMAT also offers centralized support services, such as regulatory guidance and advanced data management solutions, to streamline the clinical trial process. By using culturally sensitive approaches and cutting-edge technology, FOMAT delivers impactful healthcare solutions to underserved and diverse populations, bridging the gap between groundbreaking research and those who need it most.
About Golden Valley Health Centers
Since 1972, the residents of Central Valley California have come to rely on and trust Golden Valley Health Centers for quality primary care. As a nonprofit Federally Qualified Health Center, GVHC serves thousands of residents living in rural communities and those without much access to comprehensive healthcare. GVHC is dedicated to providing primary care to underserved populations throughout Central California. Serving nearly 200,000 patients annually across three counties through 47 locations. Their mission is to provide access to high-quality health care for all, serving with dignity, respect and compassion.