Research Center Profile:
Peninsula Cardiology Associates, P.A.
Since 1972, the physicians of Peninsula Cardiology Associates
have been leaders in heart disease treatment on the Eastern Shore
of Maryland. As the largest private cardiology practice on the
shore, we provide care to nearly 40,000 patients a year. During the
early 1970's our physicians were instrumental in establishing
"The Heart Center" at Peninsula Regional Medical Center.
The Heart Center, has become the second busiest heart hospital in
the state of Maryland. Cardiologists and surgeons performed more
than 6,000 cardiac catheterizations, and over 600 open-heart
procedures in 2005. Through the utilization of innovative
technology and ground breaking therapies, our association has
maintained a distinctive excellence in the field of heart disease
detection and management.
The investigators and research staff of Peninsula Cardiology
Associates have been actively participating in pharmaceutical and
device research since 1997. Through our participation in Phase II -
IV trials, our site has become recognized as a leading research
center in the field of cardiology. Our physician investigators have
extensive research experience in such therapeutic areas as acute
coronary syndrome, metabolic syndrome, high cholesterol,
hypertension, heart failure, coronary and peripheral
revascularization, sinus node dysfunction, atrial fibrillation and
sudden cardiac death. In the past 9 years Peninsula Cardiology has
collaborated on over 50 different trials with such sponsors as
Pfizer, Sanofi-Aventis, Boston Scientific, ev3, Astra Zeneca,
Novartis, Medtronic, Guidant, and St. Jude Medical.
Peninsula Cardiology Associates Research Department is located
directly on-site at our Salisbury office. One block from our office
is our primary hospital affiliate, Peninsula Regional Medical
Center. The research office is located in an easily accessible
first-floor suite, making it convenient for subjects and monitors.
Patients participating in our research trials are greeted by a
welcoming waiting room with ample seating. Staff are very service
oriented recognizing that our subjects are volunteering their time,
as such our patients are seen within minutes of their arrival.
Monitors are also believed to be an integral member of our research
team. To facilitate the monitor's work on-site, we provide them
with a dedicated working space with fax, copier and Internet at
their fingertips. Services and testing available at our site
include, a CLIA approved laboratory, echocardiography, nuclear
imaging, tilt-table testing, and vascular diagnostics. We offer
patients and providers several inner office clinics including a
nationally recognized Coumadin clinic, a Heart Failure Clinic, a
Varicose Vein Clinic, and Pacemaker and Defibrillator clinics. An
extensive array of equipment is available including a -20 freezer,
centrifuges, ECG machines, treadmills, and T-wave alternans.
Emmanuel N. Nsah, M.D., Peninsula Cardiology Associates research
director, is board-certified in Internal Medicine, Cardiology and
Electrophysiology. He is currently the Director of
Electrophysiology services at Peninsula Regional Medical Center,
and continues to work as an Assistant Professor of Medicine for
Johns Hopkins University.
Frank J. Arena, M.D., FACC, FSCAI, is an active principal
investigator in both pharmaceutical and device research. He is
board-certified in Cardiology, Internal Medicine, Interventional
Cardiology, Nuclear Cardiology and Echocardiography.
Joseph L. Raffetto, M.D., is an active principal investigator in
the areas of acute coronary and metabolic syndrome. He is
board-certified in Internal Medicine and Cardiology.
Donald M. Wood, M.D. is an active principal investigator in the
areas of hypertension, heart failure and hypercholesterolemia. He
is board-certified in Internal Medicine, Cardiology, and Nuclear
Cardiology.
Each of the principal investigators is supported by a team of 7
physician sub-investigators.
Lynne Armiger, MSN, RN
Research Manager
6 years of research experience
Danielle Morrison, BSN, RN
Research Nurse
5 years of research experience
Sara Shearer, RN
Research Nurse
2 years of research experience
Cathy Clark, BS, MT
Research Technician/Recruitment Coordinator
1 year research experience
Nancy Pusey,
Research Technician/Regulatory Specialist
2 years research experience
Peninsula Cardiology Associates serves a large catchment area
including Delaware, and the Eastern shores of Maryland and
Virginia. In addition to our main Salisbury office we provide
services at 2 additional satellite offices in Berlin and Cambridge,
Maryland. Demographics specific to our patient population include a
mix of Caucasian, African-American, Hispanic, Indian, and
Middle-Eastern residence. Greater than 50% of our practice is
female. Practice age distribution is predominantly 60 - 79 years of
age, with this group representing 47% of our population.
Approximately 30% are between the ages of 30 -59, and 20% greater
than 80 years of age.
Peninsula Cardiology Associates has the ability to use either a
central or local IRB depending upon the type of study. In-patient
based studies coordinated through Peninsula Regional Medical Center
must first be submitted to the hospital's Protocol Assessment
Committee. This group meets the 4th Tuesday of every month. Once
this group endorses a protocol, which typically occurs within 24
hours, the protocol can than be submitted to the local IRB.
Peninsula Cardiology Associates has an electronic patient medical
record system, and is networked with the hospital to facilitate
data management for our patients. Physician investigators, practice
administration and research staff actively participate in the
practice-based Research Advisory Board. Some of the functions of
this group include evaluating new study feasibility, assessing and
facilitating recruitment and retention for current studies, and
monitoring of protocol amendments, safety alerts, and adverse
events. As a result of this focused, team effort Peninsula
Cardiology Associates has been able to meet enrollment goals in a
timely manner, frequently enroll within the top 10 for all sites,
and maintain a subject lost to follow-up rate of < 10%.
Lynne Armiger, MSN, RN
Research Manager
Peninsula Cardiology Associates, P.A.
400 Eastern Shore Drive
Salisbury, MD 21804
USA
Phone: 410-749-8906
Fax: 410-749-2865
EMail: lynne@pencard.com
Web Site: http://www.pencard.com
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.
