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Fifteen Minutes with Fuzz

A podcast about positive things happening in and around Washington County, Wisconsin

Spaulding Clinical with Cassandra Erato

A square promotional graphic for “Fifteen Minutes with Fuzz,” featuring a teal background with various Wisconsin town names in light text. The top reads “15MWF” in bold black, followed by “Fifteen Minutes with Fuzz.” Below that is a photo of Cassandra Erato wearing headphones in a recording studio, smiling at the microphone. Text beneath the photo says “Spaulding Clinical with Cassandra Erato” and “Season 4, Episode 14.

This week, I’m joined by Cassandra Erato, CEO of Spaulding Clinical. Spaulding Clinical is a clinical research facility in West Bend in the former St. Joe’s Hospital building. The work they do is impactful—advancing medical knowledge and supporting innovative health solutions—and I thought it would be a great time to learn more about what they do.

What Spaulding Clinical Does and Why It Matters

At Spaulding Clinical, Cassandra and her team focus on phase one clinical trials. This early stage of testing is critical for ensuring the safety of new medications before they move on to broader testing. Most of these trials involve healthy volunteers and help determine if a drug is safe and how it’s absorbed in the body. They work with a wide variety of medicines, from treatments for mental health to infectious diseases.

For example, Spaulding Clinical has worked with the FDA to test various consumer products, from sunscreen to the effect of opioids, helping shape policies that impact our daily lives. It’s incredible to think that work done right here in West Bend plays a role in informing healthcare guidelines on a national level.

A Closer Look at Clinical Trials

For anyone considering becoming a participant in a study, here’s a bit of the behind-the-scenes process. Spaulding Clinical’s trials are structured to be safe and comfortable. Participants go through a screening to ensure they’re a good fit, and trials can last from a couple of days to a few weeks, depending on the study. According to Cassandra, the environment feels a bit like a hospital but also has a social, almost “summer camp” feel, where you’re surrounded by others in the same study.

Check out SpauldingPays.com if you’re thinking about volunteering as a study participant.

If you’re interested in learning more about a career with Spaulding Clinical, visit their site at SpauldingClinical.com

Thanks to Cassandra for joining me this week and shedding light on the important work being done right here in Washington County. If you have any ideas for future episodes, Suggest a Guest. Thanks for tuning in, and I’ll catch you next week on Fifteen Minutes with Fuzz!

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