St. Luke\u2019s University Health Network trauma surgeon Stan Stawicki, MD, a champion of clinical trials and research, has been ranked among the world\u2019s top-cited scientists.<\/p>\n
\u201cResearch is all about making a difference,\u201d he said. \u201cResearch is generating knowledge, so by doing clinical trials and by St. Luke\u2019s being a major clinical trials center, we are able to make new discoveries and come up with innovative and better ways of treating our patients. In addition, by contributing to new medical knowledge, we are not only improving how we do things here at St. Luke\u2019s, but also make it possible for other hospitals and systems to use these discoveries and knowledge.\u201d<\/p>\n
This fall, Dr. Stawicki was named to the Stanford University\/Elsevier Top 2% Scientists list, placing him among the most frequently cited scientists in the world, according to the analysis from Stanford University and Elsevier.<\/p>\n
He is currently involved as the principal investigator in a clinical trial with tissue adhesives, testing a new type of skin adhesive that could replace sutures. \u201cIt\u2019s a whole new way of looking at wound closure,\u201d he said. \u201cWe are fortunate as an institution to participate in this, and many other cutting edge clinical trials.\u201d<\/p>\n
Among his previous experiences, he took part in a clinical trial to determine how long antibiotics should be continued after a bowel perforation, a critical topic because there used to be many different \u2013 sometimes conflicting \u2013 approaches to length of treatment.<\/p>\n
As a surgeon, Dr. Stawicki is particularly concerned with preventing infections and other operative complications in his patients. One study he did looked into ways to reduce adhesions in difficult abdominal surgeries when an abdomen needs to remain open for a few days. The study did find a way to reduce those adhesions.<\/p>\n
He was also part of an international consortium that published COVID-19 guidelines.<\/p>\n
\u201cResearch and clinical trials are a big responsibility because what we do directly affects how patients are managed,\u201d Dr. Stawicki said. \u201cAs an investigator at St. Luke\u2019s. I am responsible and sign a direct contract with the FDA. It\u2019s on me to make sure that the data is honest. Everything must be conducted according to the regulations, with great attention to the study protocol. Our local team stays in constant communication with the other clinical trials teams around the country, and sometimes around the world. In other words, there are many constantly moving parts, and you always feel like you\u2019re in the middle of action.\u201d<\/p>\n
Another study he did looked at antibiotic use in very severe open lower extremity fractures.<\/p>\n
\u201cPersonally,\u201d he said, \u201cit\u2019s very satisfying to be involved with clinical trials. You feel like you\u2019re making a difference. There is also a bit of delayed gratification because when you go into it, you don\u2019t know what you\u2019re going to find. What is especially gratifying, not knowing what the outcome will be, is discovering later on that we end up making a difference for our patients.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cResearch is all about people,\u201d emphasized Dr. Stawicki, \u201cand we are very fortunate to have a world-class team of clinical trials professionals and investigators here at St. Luke\u2019s. It\u2019s something that truly sets us apart from many other institutions.<\/p>\n
\u201cThinking local, I look at research as something that helps St. Luke\u2019s make every day medical care better.\u201d<\/p>\n
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About St. Luke\u2019s<\/strong><\/p>\n Founded in 1872,\u00a0St. Luke\u2019s University Health Network<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0(SLUHN) is a fully integrated, regional, non-profit network of more than 20,000 employees providing services at 15 campuses and 350+ outpatient sites.\u00a0 With annual net revenue of $3.4 billion, the Network\u2019s service area includes 11 counties in two states: Lehigh, Northampton, Berks, Bucks, Carbon, Montgomery, Monroe, Schuylkill and Luzerne counties in Pennsylvania and Warren and Hunterdon counties in New Jersey. St. Luke\u2019s hospitals operate the largest network of trauma centers in Pennsylvania, with the Bethlehem Campus being home to St. Luke\u2019s Children\u2019s Hospital.<\/p>\n Dedicated to advancing medical education, St. Luke\u2019s is the preeminent teaching hospital in central-eastern Pennsylvania.\u00a0 In partnership with Temple University, the Network established the Lehigh Valley\u2019s first and only four-year medical school campus.\u00a0 It also operates the nation\u2019s oldest School of Nursing, established in 1884, and 52 fully accredited graduate medical educational programs with more than 500 residents and fellows. In 2022, St. Luke\u2019s, a member of the Children\u2019s Hospital Association, opened the Lehigh Valley\u2019s first and only free-standing facility dedicated entirely to kids.<\/p>\n SLUHN is the only Lehigh Valley-based health care system to earn Medicare\u2019s\u00a0five-star<\/em>\u00a0ratings (the highest) for quality, efficiency and patient satisfaction.\u00a0 It is both a Leapfrog Group and Healthgrades\u00a0Top Hospital<\/em>\u00a0and a Newsweek World\u2019s\u00a0Best Hospital<\/em>.\u00a0 The Network\u2019s flagship University Hospital has earned the\u00a0100 Top Major Teaching Hospital<\/em>\u00a0designation from Fortune\/PINC AI 10 years in a row, including in 2023 when it was identified as THE #4 TEACHING HOSPITAL IN THE COUNTRY.\u00a0 In 2021, St. Luke\u2019s was identified as one of the\u00a015 Top Health Systems<\/em>\u00a0nationally.\u00a0 Utilizing the Epic electronic medical record (EMR) system for both inpatient and outpatient services, the Network is a multi-year recipient of the\u00a0Most Wired<\/em>\u00a0award recognizing the breadth of the SLUHN\u2019s information technology applications such as telehealth, online scheduling and online pricing information. \u00a0The Network is also recognized as one of the state\u2019s lowest-cost providers.<\/p>\n Information provided to TVL by: St. Luke\u2019s University Health Network trauma surgeon Stan Stawicki, MD, a champion of clinical trials and research, has been ranked among the world\u2019s top-cited scientists. \u201cResearch is all about making … Continue reading St. Luke\u2019s Surgeon Recognized among Top-Cited Scientists<\/span>
\nSam Kennedy<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"