Academic Research Organization HCRI Changes Name to The Baim Institute for Clinical Research

BOSTON, Mass., The Harvard Clinical Research Institute (HCRI) announced today that it will change its name to the Baim Institute for Clinical Research (Baim Institute), as a reflection of its desire to further expand and diversify its faculty and institutional affiliations. Baim Institute will remain one of the world’s most trusted not-for-profit academic research organizations.  

The new name pays tribute to Dr. Donald S. Baim, a visionary in the field of interventional cardiology, who was a founder of the organization in 1993 and a primary investigator and chief advisor through 2005. Dr. Baim died in 2009 at age 60. 

“Don dedicated his career to bringing innovative medical technologies forward, and cared deeply about the effective use of new therapeutics,” said Laura Mauri, MD, MSc, Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Physician at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and Chief Scientific Advisor of the Baim Institute. “He was an inspiration to generations of physician leaders for his ability to couple scientific thought with an unceasing commitment to improve patient care. He embodies the principles on which our Institute was founded and continues to grow.” 

“Dr. Baim’s impact is reflected in the Baim Institute’s commitment to insight, innovation and leadership in the pursuit of evidence-based medicine that improves lives,” said Don Cutlip, MD, Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Chief, Interventional Cardiology, Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, and Executive Director Clinical Investigations, Baim Institute. “We are fortunate to have had one of the most influential cardiology researchers as our co-founder and mentor.”   

The organization was founded in 1993 as part of Beth Israel Hospital (currently the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center), and named the Cardiovascular Data Analysis Center (CDAC). Reflecting CDAC’s expanded affiliations with other Harvard teaching hospitals, the organization took the name HCRI in 2000, becoming an independent not-for-profit.   

The network of institutions collaborating with HCRI grew over the last decade to include Boston University, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Lahey Hospital and Medical Center, and Massachusetts General Hospital. Now the Baim Institute is well-positioned to expand collaborations even further. 

“The Baim Institute provides a platform for us to build on the values that got us to where we are today,” said Spencer Goldsmith, President, Baim Institute. “We will continue to expand our partnerships in ways that will deepen our commitment to advancing human health through creativity in clinical trial design and nimble operations.”   

“The Baim Institute will continue to be a leading academic research organization, guided by our faculty and staff, continuing to serve the needs of research sponsors worldwide with the capabilities we have developed over the past 23 years,” said Mr. Goldsmith.  

About the Baim Institute for Clinical Research 

The Baim Institute for Clinical Research is a leading, not-for-profit academic research organization that delivers insight, innovation and leadership in today’s dynamic research environment. The Baim Institute collaborates with some of the world’s most highly respected researchers from renowned institutions to help advance health and quality of life around the world.   

The Baim Institute has gained notoriety for the design and execution of clinical trials for first-in-class medical devices. Examples of such include trials for the first approved drug-eluting stent, and the first approved transcatheter mitral valve repair device. In addition, we recently sponsored and completed the DAPT study, a large, FDA-mandated study that enrolled over 25,000 subjects, evaluating the use of dual antiplatelet therapy after stent implantation.  

Since 1993, we have worked on over 450 clinical trials in North America, Europe and Asia.  The Baim Institute is based in Boston. More information is at www.BaimInstitute.org.