Education, Research & Clinical Trials

Education at The Center
Dedicated to providing broad educational opportunities in the biomedical sciences, the Health Center offers degree programs in medicine (M.D.), dental medicine (D.M.D.), and biomedical science (Ph.D.); master's degree programs in public health and dental science; postdoctoral fellowships; residency programs providing specialty training for newly graduated physicians and dentists; and continuing education programs for practicing health care professionals.

Each year in Farmington, about 320 students work toward their medical doctor's degree and 160 toward their doctor of medical dentistry degree. Admission to each school is highly competitive, but both schools offer preferential consideration to qualified Connecticut residents in their admissions policies. In the years since the Health Center graduated its first students in 1972, 1,132 men and women have received their D.M.D. degree; 2,436 their M.D. degree.

Through a variety of residency programs, the School of Medicine provides postgraduate training for more than 550 newly graduated M.D.s each year. These physicians come from all over the country to acquire advanced skills in fields such as the surgical specialties, internal medicine, and primary care.

The Center for Advanced Reproductive Services, part of the University of Connecticut Health Centers offers one of less than 40 postgraduate fellowships for Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility (REI) in the United States. Due to The Center's national reputation as a "Center of Excellence" acceptance to one of our 3 fellowship positions is very competitive. At The Center you will have REI fellows as well as Ob Gyn residents and medical students participating in your care.

Research & Clinical Trials at The Center
Clinical research is an important component of the Center's mission. Our clinical and laboratory staffs have initiated several research studies to answer many clinical questions. These studies help expand the scientific knowledge base and provide new technology to patients. Our clinical findings have been published in national journals and have played a role in advancing new knowledge to other Reproductive Medicine practices throughout the country. We are able to conduct this research only through the cooperation of our patients who are willing to participate in these studies. We dedicate all this advanced reproduction knowledge to them.

Current Research Being Done at the Center:

Expressive Writing Study:
This research study is about the use of journaling as a stress management technique. The purpose of this study is to test the effects of writing exercises on the emotions of a sample of women undergoing fertility treatment.

Egg Freezing Protocol Comparison:
This is a clinical trial that will compare two different egg freezing protocols used in women undergoing In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF) for infertility and who do not wish to freeze embryos. The data will evaluate which freezing protocol is more successful in producing viable pregnancy outcomes in eggs that are thawed and fertilized.

In-Vitro Maturation of Immature Eggs:
In this clinical trial we are studying the human egg maturation process outside the ovary in the laboratory environment. These immature eggs will be retrieved from women undergoing IVF who may have both mature and immature eggs. These immature eggs would not be receptive to fertilization.

Low Responders-Comparison of Two Different Stimulation Protocols:
In this large clinical trial we will compare two standard treatment protocols used for women undergoing IVF who have had a low response to medication in the past or who are predicted to have a low response to medication based on their medical history. The data will be analyzed to determine which treatment protocol has better pregnancy outcomes.

If you have interest in more information on this research or wish to discuss eligibility for participation in these research trials, please contact your physician here at the Center or Victoria Scranton, Clinical Research Coordinator @ 860-679-4612.