Therapeutic Areas

Immunology
Infections and Infectious Diseases
Nutrition and Weight Loss
Pediatrics/Neonatology
Psychiatry/Psychology
Vaccines

Center Overview

The Norwich Pediatric Group is a well established private pediatric practice located in Southeastern Connecticut. The Norwich Pediatric Group has provided quality pediatric health care to the children of the area since 1960. The physicians have admitting privileges at the William Backus Hospital in Norwich and have an association with the Connecticut Children's Medical Center, Hartford, Connecticut. Because we have a large number of active patients, all study subjects are recruited directly from the practice, thus eliminating the need to advertise for volunteers in the local media.

The Norwich Pediatric Group has actively participated in clinical trials since 1998. We are interested in all areas of pediatric research and clinical trials. We have a full time Principal Investigator, three sub- investigators, a full time clinical trials nurse/coordinator and a full time clinical trials coordinator

Clinical Research Experience

Our expertise includes infant, pediatric and adolescent vaccines attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, otitis externa, and infant nutrition.. We have participated in phase IIB, III and IV clinical trials sponsored by the following pharmaceutical companies:

• GlaxoSmithKline
• Eli Lilly
• Aventis Pasteur/Sanofi
• MedImmune
• Merck & Co.
• SmithKline Beecham
• Wyeth Pharmaceuticals
• Mead Johnson & Co.
• Alcon Research Ltd.
• Novartis Vaccines & Diagnostics

Facility Description

The Norwich Pediatric Group is conveniently located off exit 29 of Connecticut Route 2 and is on the SEAT bus line route. Although our center is entirely outpatient, the William Backus Hospital is located 0.5 miles away from the office.

Equipment on hand includes a well stocked and current crash cart, oxygen, phlebotomy equipment and centrifuge. In addition, we have a -20 freezer and refrigerator designated for clinical trial use.

The Norwich Pediatric Group is a child friendly environment with a comfortable play area containing a television and VCR and a large selection of books and magazines for patients and parents.

The Clinical Trials Office is located in the lower level of the practice. It has its own waiting room, private patient exam rooms, laboratory, and adequate monitoring space with access to phone, fax, copier, and computer internet. All study related documents are kept locked and only available to the study staff.

Investigator Experience

Timothy J. Sullivan, M.D., principal investigator, is certified by the American Board of Pediatrics. Dr. Sullivan has been principal investigator for 9 clinical trials and sub-investigator for 26 clinical studies.

Richard W. Geller, M.D., sub- investigator and past principal investigator, is certified by the American Board of Pediatrics and is an Assistant Clinical Professor of Pediatrics, University of Connecticut School of Medicine.

Andrea McCullough-Hlobik, DO, sub-investigator, is certified by the American Academy of Pediatrics and has been involved in clinical trials since 2007.

Elizabeth S. Burke-Roberts, APRN, sub-investigator, is certified by the Connecticut Advanced Practice Registered Nurses and has been involved in clinical trials since 2005.

Staff Expertise

Candida Vars,, L.P.N. has been affiliated with the Norwich Pediatric Group for 24 years and serves as its clinical trials nurse and coordinator. Her responsibilities include patient recruitment and education, administration of study medications, phlebotomy and serum collection, performing EKG's as needed, patient follow up, and maintaining CRF's and ECRF data. Ms. Vars is CPR certified and has training for the shipping of infectious substances and dry ice.

Dossy Mussler, clinical trials coordinator has been affiliated with the Norwich Pediatric Group since 2004. Her responsibilities include all aspects of regulatory documents, patient recruitment and education, patient follow up, and maintaining CRF’s and ECRF data. Ms Mussler is CPR certified, has training for the shipping of infectious substances and dry ice and is certified in Data Management.

Patient Demographics

The study participants are volunteers recruited entirely from the Norwich Pediatric Group. They reside in Norwich and the surrounding towns, within a 20 mile radius. Study subjects range in age from newborn to 21 years of age and come from all racial and ethnic groups.

Our patient population is highly motivated and interested in participating in clinical research. Drop out rate is minimal.

Other Information

All the clinical trials in which we participate are monitored by central institutional review boards. We have worked with Western, Quorum,Schulman Associates,Sterling and Chesapeake IRB's. We have worked with I3 Research, ICON and PPD.

As stated above all study subjects are patients of the Norwich Pediatric Group. This allows the investigators who are the physicians at Norwich Pediatric Group, constant access to the study subjects' medical records. In addition, communication with study subjects and parents is simplified thus minimizing our drop out number.

Contact Center

If you are interested in contacting this center to discuss placing a clinical trial there, please complete and send the email form below. A representative from the research center will then follow up with you.