COM Outlook Winter 2021

30 | DR. KIRAN C. PATEL COLLEGE OF OSTEOPATHIC MEDICINE trial. The volunteers receive about $1,000 in compensation for their time and travel for each visit. “If they qualify, the participants receive their initial dosing at the first visit and return in about three weeks for a second dose,” Rankin explained. “The dosing ratio is 1:1 vaccine to placebo, and the study team and subject are blinded (double-blind) to what is in the injection. The trial is powered to see if the vaccine is better than no vaccine, how safe it is, and how long it should be effective against the SARS-CoV-2 virus.” Rankin and his medical team have already vaccinated hundreds of volunteers, but the recruiting process continues. “We are currently the only Central Florida site completing these initial COVID-19 vaccine trials, so we are using news outlets and social media to get the word out to high-risk individuals,” said Rankin, who also sees patients in his private family medicine practice. “We also need to have ethnic diversity in the trials to represent the general population exposed to COVID-19,” added Rankin, who has personally worked on more than 800 clinical research trials that resulted in the creation of hundreds of approved medications. “We have already been asked to work on upcoming COVID-19 vaccine trials, so we will also need volunteers for these future trials for other companies working on different COVID-19 vaccines.” Stringent Standards During the past 20-plus years, Accel Clinical Research has been involved with numerous vaccine trials for everything from anthrax, clostridium difficile, hepatitis B, and meningitis to pneumonia, regular and high-dose influenza, shingles, swine flu (H1N1), and tetanus, all of which require strict adherence to various protocols. In his role as medical director and principal investigator at Accel, Rankin manages a range of responsibilities, which include overseeing a dedicated team of more than 40 medical personnel and staff members. “My role as medical director is to oversee the trials being conducted at our Deland site, in addition to assist- ing with our associated clinics at Right: A clinical trial participant is prepped to receive the COVID-19 vaccine at Accel Research Sites. Below: Rankin, in blue gown, interacts with staff members at Accel Research Sites.