In just over half a year, the Vineyard Center for Clinical Research has completed its first trial and has begun working on three others that are aimed at improving the diagnosis of Lyme disease. The center operates out of the Vineyard Medical Care building in Vineyard Haven.

Vineyard Medical Care announced this week that three familiar physicians have joined the Vineyard Haven walk-in clinic, as laboratory services and research work continue to expand.

Funding will end this year for the Tick-Borne Illness Reduction Initiative, an Islandwide program that began about four years ago with a grant from the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital. But Island health agents plan to continue the efforts, which include school programs and a series of educational videos.

By all accounts this has not been an unusually bad year for tick-borne illnesses on the Island. The dry cool summer may have helped — not just in keeping the tick population down, but in keeping hikers and gardeners more fully covered when venturing outdoors.

Anecdotal reports suggest it was an average or slightly above-average season for tick-borne illnesses on the Vineyard. By far the most prevalent illness is Lyme disease. A new venture intends to focus on clinical research into tick-borne illnesses.