After Major Flood, University of Rochester Medicine Reopens Larger, More Modern Clinical Research Center
University of Rochester Medicine has reopened its renovated Clinical Research Center, restoring and enhancing a critical resource for clinical studies across the institution.
"The new Clinical Research Center will accelerate our ability to move research discoveries from the lab into innovative treatments that improve the lives of patients,” said David Linehan, MD, URMC CEO and dean of the University’s School of Medicine and Dentistry.
“Today's reopening reflects the resilience of our teams and our continued investment in the research infrastructure we need to give patients across upstate New York access to the latest advances in medical care close to home.”
The CRC supports inpatient and outpatient study visits for research teams across the University, providing the environment, expertise, and infrastructure needed to conduct clinical trials safely and efficiently. It plays an important role in helping Urochester Medicine expand clinical trial opportunities in fields ranging from cancer and pediatrics to cardiac care and other specialties, connecting more patients to promising therapies without requiring them to leave the region.
The center sustained extensive damage after a pipe burst on December 26, 2022, causing major flooding. In the immediate aftermath, operations were quickly relocated to the Saunders Research Building, limiting the interruption in service to about one week and preserving continuity for research teams and study participants. The restored facility resumed operations in January 2026 and now offers expanded capabilities that strengthen the University’s growing clinical trials enterprise.
The reopening marks the culmination of a substantial multi-year recovery and renovation effort involving the School of Medicine and Dentistry operations team, Space Planning, Facilities and Services, CTSI and CRC leadership and staff, Environmental Services, and many others across URochester Medicine.
“When the flood happened, the priority was clear: maintain continuity for study participants and investigators while planning for a full restoration of the space,” said Martin Zand, MD, PhD, co-director of the Clinical and Translational Science Institute with Karen Wilson, MD, MPH. “The rapid relocation effort was extraordinary, and the result today is a facility that is better equipped to support best-in-class clinical research.”
The renovated center has 30% more rooms for patient visits and includes two overnight rooms, a larger pediatric space, a lactation room, seven exam rooms, six modern infusion bays, a procedure room for muscle biopsies, a dedicated room for bone density scans and other imaging, a specimen lab, a workspace for investigators and coordinators, and a neurology mobility lab.
“Clinical trials require specialized infrastructure, experienced teams, and a setting designed around both participant safety and study needs,” explained Zand. “The restored space puts us in an even stronger position to support research across disciplines and expand access to clinical trials for people in Rochester and the surrounding region.”
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