Research Center Profile:
Southeastern Medical Research Institute
Southeastern Medical Research Institute (SMRI) is a
multi-specialty research facility. Clinical trials enable us to
offer cutting edge medicine to Columbus, Georgia and the
surrounding communities and improving medical care in our area.
SMRI collaborates with your local and regional physicians in
clinical trials.
SMRI has the highest standards of employment for its
professional staff and requires continued medical educational
courses for its employees. All of our Investigators are board
certified in their specialty. SMRI has also has Certified Clinical
Research Coordinators and Certified Clinical Research
Investigators. We are involved in clinical research in urology,
women's health, men's health and primary care.
Mission Statements
To our sponsors:
Southeastern Medical Research Institute will produce accurate
and quality data in an efficient and timely manner. We will conduct
clinical research according to our Standard Operating Procedures,
Good Clinical Practices, FDA guidelines and the highest ethical and
moral standards.
To our patients:
Southeastern Medical Research Institute's mission is to
provide our patient with a better-quality level of patient care and
education through clinical research. Our qualified and trained
staff will carefully screen patients and take every step necessary
to ensure a beneficial and safe outcome for our patients.
Urology
- Urodynamics
- PK Studies
- SMRI Developed Protocols
- (BPH) Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia
- Carcinoma of the Prostate
- Carcinoma of Bladder
- Carcinoma of Kidney
- Carcinoma of Renal Pelvis
- Carcinoma of Ureter
- Adult Growth Hormone Deficiency
- Hypopituitarism
- Hypogonadism (Pituitary and/or Testicular)
- Premature Ejaculation
- Varicocele
- Hernia
- Pyelonephritis
- Hydronephrosis
- Calculus of Kidney
- Calculus of Ureter
- Calculus of Bladder
- Cystitis
- Interstitial Cystitis
- Urinary Tract Infection
- Hematuria
- Prostatitis
- Infertility
- Erectile Dysfunction
- Peyronie's Disease
- Urinary Incontinence
- Overactive Bladder
- Dysuria
- Urinary Retention
- Urinary Frequency
- Osteoporosis
- Hormone Replacement
- Vasectomy
- Anxiety/Depression
- Pelvic Pain
- Vaginitis
- Female Sexual Dysfunction
OB/GYN
- Normal Vaginal Delivery
- Interstial Cystitis
- Contraceptions/Sterilizations
- Leiomyoma of Uterus
- Uterine Bleeding (DUB)
- Pelvic Pain
- Menopausal Bleeding
- Menorrhagia
- Hormone Pellet Implantation
- Endometriosis/Endometritis
- Urinary Incontinence
- IUD Insertion
- Vulva and Vaginal Atrophy
- Osteoporosis
- Anxiety/Depression
- Hormone Replacement
- Yeast Vaginitis
- Vaginitis
- Cystocele
- Rectocele
- Uterus Prolapse/Decensus
- Prolapse Uterovaginal
- Ovarian Cyst
- HPV
- Obesity
- Female Sexual Dysfunction
Family Practice
- Gout
- Obesity
- Vaccines
- Dementia
- Osteoporosis
- Urinary Tract Infections
- Reflux
- Overactive Bladder
- Erectile Dysfunction
- Anxiety/Depression
- Interstial Cystitis
- Heartburn
- Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy
Southeastern Medical Research Institute (SMRI) is located on
2100 North Avenue in Columbus, Georgia.
SMRI is in the heart of the medical community in Columbus. Two
blocks away resides the Medical Center Hospital and Doctors
Hospital.
- Exam rooms
- Conference room
- Parking and patient access with wheelchair accommodations
- Dedicated fax and phone lines
- Uroflow machine
- Thermatrx
- Cystoscopy
- X-Ray
- Ultrasound (renal, bladder, prostate, abdominal, pelvic,
vaginal)
- Dynamic Cavernosometry, Duplex Doppler, Rigiscans
- Prostate Biopsy/Bladder Biopsy
- 12-Lead ECG machine
- CT Scan
- DXA Scan
- Fluoroscopy
- Crash cart equipped with emergency medications
- Dedicated monitor space with phone, fax, internet access and
copier availability
- Secure drug closet
- Secure case report forms storage
- Utilize central IRB
- -20 degree freezer
- Fully equipped lab
- Dry ice availability
- Laboratory
Certified ultrasound technicians perform all sonogram testing.
Clinical staff who are CPR and ACLS certified are available.
SMRI utilizes qualified professionals including Certified
Clinical Research Coordinators and Certified Clinical Trial
Investigators accredited by ACRP.
SMRI provides 24 hour, 7 day a week coverage for research
patients in case of an emergency.
We utilize a central Institutional Review Board (IRB) to provide
prompt review of consents and protocols to assure the utmost in
safety and confidentiality.
William M. Harper IV, MD, FACS, CCTI
Dr. Harper has been a practicing board certified Urologist for 23
years and has his own private medical practice, Urology Center of
Columbus, LLC, which treats both adult and pediatric urology.
He was born and raised in Americus, Georgia and graduated from
the Medical College of Georgia in 1978. He finished his internship
and residency in surgery and urology in 1983.
Dr. Harper is Past-President of the Muscogee County Medical
Society and the Muscogee County Physicians Foundation. Dr. Harper
received the Muscogee County Physician of the Year Award in 2000
for his community leadership and as Chairman in providing Columbus
and the State of Georgia with the First Annual Men's Health
& Fitness Conference and Expo in June 2000.
On January 18, 2001, Dr. Harper was appointed by Governor Roy E.
Barnes to the Georgia Commission on Men's Health, which is the
First Commission on Men's Health in the Nation. On March 27,
2001, Dr. Harper was elected Chairman of the Commission on
Men's Health.
Dr. Harper has been involved with clinical research as a
Principle Investigator since 1997. He holds membership with the
American Urological Association, the Medical Association of
Georgia, the Southeastern American Urological Association, and the
Chattahoochee Valley Urological Society (Past President). He is
also a Fellow in the American College of Surgeons, Association of
Clinical Research Professionals (ACRP) and the Rotary Club of
Columbus. He is a member of the St. Paul United Methodist Church
and is a member of the Administrative Board.
Benjamin Cheek, MD
Dr. Cheek is a board certified obstetrician and gynecologist and he
has been a partner at OB GYN Associates of Columbus, P.C. since
1986. He was born in Butler, Georgia and graduated from the Medical
College of Georgia in 1982.
He completed his obstetrics and gynecology residency at Emory
University School of Medicine in 1986.
Dr. Cheek is a Fellow in the American College of Obstetricians
and Gynecologists and was former Chairman of the state society. He
is a member of the Georgia Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology,
the American Medical Association, and the Medical Association of
Georgia, where he has held many offices and participated on various
councils. He is past president of the Muscogee County Medical
Society. Dr. Cheek is currently the Chairman of the Board for the
Georgia Political Action Committee. He has memberships in many
other professional organizations and societies and in addition, he
has made presentations and written and participated in the
publication of papers relative to his specialty.
In addition to Dr. Cheek's numerous professional memberships
and appointments, he has served on the Board of Directors of
Doctors Hospital, Boys Club of Columbus and Phenix City, American
Cancer Society, Open Door Community House, MAG Mutual Group, and
the Muscogee County Medical Society. He is a member of the St. Paul
United Methodist Church and is a member of the Administrative
Board.
Lavon Thurman, Jr., MD
Lavon Thurman Jr., MD was born and raised in Hattiesburg,
Mississippi and graduated from the University of Mississippi School
of Medicine in 1975. He is board certified from the American Board
of Family Practice and has a Certificate of Added Qualifications in
Geriatric Medicine.
Dr. Thurman is a Fellow for the American Academy of Family
Physicians. He is also a member of the American Medical
Association, American Medical Directors Association and Georgia
Medical Directors Association. Dr. Thurman is a member and
Past-President for the Muscogee County Medical Society. He is on
the Board of Directors for the Medical Association of Georgia and
Greater Columbus Division American Heart Association and served as
the American Heart Delegate and President. He received the
"Volunteer of the Year" and "Heart of Gold"
award for the American Heart Association. He has served as Chairman
for the Long Term Care Committee for Medical Association of Georgia
for several years.
He is a Certified Medical Director in long-term care and has a
strong background working with extended care facilities, Hospice
and palliative medicine in Columbus, Georgia and surrounding
communities.
Angela Seeds, PA-C
Angi Seeds, PA-C comes to us from Mobile, AL where she graduated in
the summer of 2004 from the University of South Alabama and passed
the National Commission for the Certification of Physician
Assistants exam in September of 2004. She earned a Microbiology
degree from Washington State University in the spring of 1978. In
the meantime, she has raised three children and is now the proud
grandmother of a healthy baby girl. She has enjoyed being active in
her community, with extensive experience in volunteer positions,
including scout leader, religious education teacher, and executive
board positions for several PTA groups. Angi has been trained by
Dr. Harper and works directly under his guidance. She specializes
in male and female sexual dysfunction. She also directly supervises
the urodynamics and pelvic floor therapy for nonsurgical treatment
of urinary incontinence. She is the only female certified PA
specializing in urology in our area.
Dan Toubiana, PA-C
Dan Toubiana, PA-C is a native Texan who also joins us from our
western neighbor state of Alabama. He received his Bachelor's
degree in English from Emory University in 1997 and graduated from
the University of South Alabama in Mobile with a Masters of Health
Sciences. Dan passed the Certification of Physician Assistants exam
in September of 2006. Before starting his practice as a
Physician's Assistant, Dan performed physiological research at
the University of South Alabama's College of Medicine and
worked in business as a freight forwarder in Mobile, AL and as an
editorial assistant for a trade publishing firm in Atlanta. We are
excited to have Dan with us!
Heather Tharpe, Executive Director
Heather Tharpe has worked with Dr. Harper since June 1997. She is
Executive Assistant to Dr. Harper and coordinates his personal
calendar, which includes his speaking engagements, meetings, and
seminars. Heather is past Executive Director for the Chattahoochee
Valley Urological Society and the Columbus Research Foundation. She
holds a membership with ACRP. As Executive Director for
Southeastern Medical Research Institute her responsibilities
include; negotiating budgets and contracts, human resources,
accounts payable and day-to-day management of SMRI.
Stephanie Thomas, LPN, CCRC-Research
Director
Stephanie Thomas, LPN, CCRC graduated form Chattahoochee Valley
Community College in 1995. Currently she is an active member of the
Society of Urological Nurses Association, the Endocrine Nurses
Society, and the Association of Clinical Research Professionals.
She is a past member of the Pediatric Endocrine Nurses Society and
the PENS Conference Planning Committee. She is a certified Clinical
Research Coordinator by the ACRP. Stephanie has been involved in
clinical research since 2001 and has experience in endocrinology
and urology trials. She is responsible for quality assurance,
patient recruitment planning and quality data. Her nursing and
research background gives her exceptional experience and knowledge
as Research Director of Southeastern Medical Research
Institute.
Lisa Brown, LPN, CRC
Lisa has experience in performing a vast range of nursing duties to
include patient assessment, subjective and objective documentation,
treatment implementation, medication administration and patient
monitoring.
Veta Rodriguez, LPN, CRC
Veta has experience in performing a vast range of nursing duties to
include patient assessment, subjective and objective documentation,
treatment implementation, medication administration and patient
monitoring.
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Southeastern Medical Research Institute's staff uses a
variety of cost-effective recruitment strategies including:
- Practice and Research database
- Physician referrals
- Newspaper, radio and TV
- Direct patient mailing
- Community seminars and lectures
- Flyers and brochure distribution
- Newsletters
- Patient call centers
Chattahoochee Valley Area Demographics
Southeastern Medical Research Institute is located within the
heart of the Chattahoochee Valley area. Columbus is located on the
Chattahoochee River which is the Alabama and Georgia state border.
It is our advantage that we are able to serve not only Georgia
areas but Alabama as well. Please view our websiteand click on the
"Patient Recruitment" tab to view the demographics of the
areas that we serve.
To Contact Us:
Southeastern Medical Research Institute
2100 North Avenue
Columbus, Georgia 31904
Phone: (706) 243-3669
Fax: (706) 324-7080
E-mail: research2@harperurology.com
The following trial(s) are actively recruiting patients:
If you are interested in contacting this center to discuss placing a clinical
trial there, please complete and send the E-mail form below. A representative from
the research center will then follow up with you.
