Essentia recognized as highest enrolling site for important study

Dr. Catherine Benziger knows that one of the main reasons people participate in clinical studies is to make a difference and be part of something that may one day benefit their children or grandchildren.

The Essentia Health cardiologist has helped recruit patients for several large-scale clinical trials, including PREVENTABLE, which hopes to learn if taking a heart medication called a statin can help older adults live well for longer by preventing dementia, disability or heart disease. The study began in 2020 and is the largest of its kind featuring participants aged 75 or older.

In December, Essentia was recognized as the study’s highest enrolling site for the timeframe July 22 through Dec. 6, 2024. It was a prestigious distinction, but not unexpected — after all, Essentia has been the top-enrolling site since the study began. Dating to October 2020, Essentia’s overall enrollment is 563, or about 6% of the 8,947 participants (as of Jan. 4, 2025).

That’s more than any other health system or university, which is quite impressive considering the list of sites includes major universities and hospitals located in heavily populated urban areas across the country.

Dr. Benziger noted how seriously Essentia takes its commitment to research. In addition to communicating with patients about enrolling via the MyChart patient portal, her team makes thousands of recruitment phone calls.

“Participants love talking to our study team and are happy to participate in something that will help their children and future generations as it is an important question that hasn’t been answered,” she said.

Almost all participants that have been enrolled by Essentia are Essentia patients, though that’s not a requirement.

Essentia has long been actively engaged in medical research. With a predominantly rural footprint, it ensures that studies — and their results — are reflective of the patients and communities we serve.

“We aim to enroll a population that looks like the population coming to Essentia for care,” Dr. Bengizer said. “We think it is important to offer research opportunities to our patients because we want trials that are representative of the U.S. population and not just patients who are seen in big urban academic centers.”

Anyone interested in enrolling through Essentia can call (866) 839-4128 or email [email protected]. Candidates include people who are 75 or older, not taking a statin and do not have heart disease, dementia or a significant disability that limits your basic everyday activities. Participation can be done remotely.

Learn more about the PREVENTABLE study at preventabletrial.org.