Center Overview

Southeast Regional Research Group, Savannah, is one of four medical research sites affiliated with SERRG, Inc. With additional sites in Ludowici, Rincon and Columbus, Georgia, Southeast Regional Research Group works with a network of hospitals, government- and community-run healthcare clinics, and inpatient- and outpatient-based physicians in our mission to provide compassionate medical care in our community.

From initial contact with the pharmaceutical sponsor to the completion of the clinical trial, the physicians and staff at Southeast Regional Research Group are available throughout the clinical research experience, including but not limited to:

• Excellence in patient care
• Completion of all regulatory documents (which include site demographics to fit the patient population)
• Budget and Contract negotiations
• Hosting of scheduled site visits from the sponsor or CRO and their staff, to include personally escorting all persons involved and acting as a liaison
• Maintaining all study documents onsite in our local offices
• Maintaining all study related material to include study drug, devices and lab kits
• Performing all study related ancillary services to include, but not limited to, ECG's, phlebotomy, specimen collection, testing and storage, drug infusion, radiology services, in-house pharmacist support, and study related home health nursing staff.
• Providing Certified Research Coordinators and Nursing staff

Available 24-hours, seven days a week our Savannah site has conducted many clinical research trials since opening in 2006. The Savannah facility includes:

• Certified Physician Investigator on site
• 8 Dedicated Physician Investigators
• Physician Assistant
• Clinical Research Coordinators
• Pharmaceutical Staff
• Research Assistants
• Marketing Department
• Regulatory Department
• Quality Assurance Department
• Compliance Committee

Clinical Research Experience

Our clinical staff members have a combined 34 years experience in medical research. In addition, they:

• are certified in Basic Life Support (BLS) and/or Advanced Clinical Life Support (ACLS);
• adhere to the International Conference on Harmonization (ICH) and Good Clinical Practice (GCP);
• are observant of the protection of our patients in our clinical research studies and are HIPAA compliant;
• are on-call 24/7;
• are experienced in Phase II through Phase IV studies

Currently Enrolling Trials

As a medical study participant, volunteers often learn much more about their medical condition and become more aware of their condition’s symptoms as well as emerging treatments for their condition. As a research facility under the governance of several Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), our patients receive thorough monitoring of their condition through more frequent testing, office visits and follow-up appointments.

Our Savannah site is currently enrolling patients in the following studies:

Pharmaceutical Studies:

• Atrial Fibrillation
• COPD
• Heart Disease
• Lupus
• Osteoarthritis
• Rheumatoid Arthritis
• Skin Infections
• Venous Thromboembolism (VTE)

To accommodate various needs of patient volunteers, we often provide transportation, transportation reimbursement and communication assistance (i.e. loan of cell phone). In addition, qualified participants receive study related procedures and medication at no cost.

To learn more medical research or to see if you may be interested in these studies as well as upcoming studies, call us at 888-SERRG-60 (888-737-7460) or email us at NewTrials@serrg.com

Facility Description

Designed specifically for medical research, our 4,000-square-foot facility in Savannah, Georgia, is conveniently located in the historic “med-arts” district. In close proximity to several area hospitals as well as multiple health clinics and primary care facilities, our Savannah office routinely receives study-eligible referrals. Our patient-friendly site features multiple exam rooms, a quiet consent room, and a large IV infusion room with comfortable leather recliners and big screen television. Patients are also provided a spacious and comfortable waiting room which includes a children’s play area.

The Savannah office began operations in 2006 and continues to thrive having facilitated hundreds of outpatient visits to date.

Investigator Experience

With oversight from SERRG, Inc., Southeast Regional Research Group’s Principal Investigators are required:

• Completion of Good Clinical Practice Training (GCP)
• Human Participant Protections Education
• Completion of NIH Clinical Research Training and Exam
• Understanding of FDA Oversight in Clinical Research

Our Savannah site has 7 Principal Investigators who partner with Dr. Joseph Surber, CPI, in conducting clinical research trials.

Joseph G. Surber, D.O., C.P.I., FAAFP

Joseph G. Surber, D.O., C.P.I., FAAFP, is presently engaged in clinical research as the Chief Medical Officer of SERRG, Inc. He is board certified in Family Medicine, and currently holds faculty positions with the Medical College of Georgia, and Mercer University. Additionally, Dr. Surber is certified as a Physician Investigator (CPI) through the Academy of Pharmaceutical Physicians and Investigators (APPI) and the Association of Clinical Research Professionals (ACRP).

In addition to serving as Physician Investigator in dozens of clinical research trials in various medical disciplines, Dr. Surber continues to work as a Hospitalist. Prior to forming SERRG, Inc. with Dr. Kingsley, Dr. Surber practiced as an Emergency Medicine and Bariatrics physician, and served as Faculty and Associate Director of Hospital Medicine.

He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Biology with a minor in Music. Dr. Surber is currently affiliated with the following organizations:

Memberships

• Fellow, American Academy of Family Physicians (FAAFP)
• Association of Clinical Research Professionals (ACRP)
• Academy of Pharmaceutical Physicians and Investigators (APPI)
• Society of Hospital Medicine (SHM)
• American Medical Association (AMA)
• American Osteopathic Association (AOA)
• American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP)
• Muscogee County Medical Society
• Georgia Academy of Family Physicians (GAFP)

Dr. Surber has received certification in the following areas:

• 2008 Certified Physician Investigator (CPI)
• 2007 Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)
• 2005 Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS)
• 2005 Neonatal Advanced Life Support (NALS)
• 2005 Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS)
• 2003 Advanced Life Support in Obstetrics (ALSO)
• 2003 Fundamentals of Critical Care Support (FCCS)

Therapeutic Areas

• Cardiology
• Dermatology
• Emergency Medicine
• Endocrinology
• Gastroenterology
• Gerontology
• Gynecology
• Hematology
• Infectious Disease
• Internal Medicine
• Medical Devices
• Musculoskeletal
• Nephrology
• Neurology
• Obstetrics
• Ophthalmology
• Otolaryngology
• Pain Management
• Pediatrics
• Pharmacology
• Podiatry
• Pulmonology
• Respiratory Therapies
• Rheumatology
• Trauma Medicine
• Urology
• Vascular Diseases
• Women’s Health

Staff Expertise

Partnering with physicians and patient volunteers, we believe communication and education are key factors for our staff to help patients to better understand their medical condition(s). As such, our Southeast Regional Research Group staff uses care when informing patient volunteers of their role in medical research. Once a patient has been referred to us, he or she is given a tour of our facility and meets our coordinators. Should your patient choose to participate in a clinical research study, he or she will be thoroughly monitored and frequently seen by our physicians and physician assistants.

Southeast Regional Research Group, a supporting member of ACRP and APPI, has a proven track record for success offering:

• Phase II through Phase IV studies managed from start to finish
• Solid experience in completing the most challenging studies
• Large database of highly skilled, experienced and enthusiastic Investigators
• Dedicated, full-time, and experienced Certified Clinical Research Coordinators
• Access to large patient populations with cultural diversity
• Efficient and centralized contract and budget resolution
• Track record of consistently meeting or exceeding enrollment goals
• Ethical patient recruitment and retention methods including an in-house Marketing Department that creates or monitors the creation of all marketing materials

Clinical Staff for Southeast Regional Research Group

Mike Grabowski, PA-C

Michael Schaben, CRC
A Clinical Research Coordinator since 2004, Michael Schaben has worked with patients and physicians on 17 research studies. He has recruited and educated patient volunteers for multiple insomnia studies as well as Complicated Skin and Skin Structure Infection Studies.

Non-Clinical Staff for Southeast Regional Research Group

• Jana Harman, Corporate Administrative Assistant
• Melanie Thomas, Clinical Administrative Assistant
• Marisol Colmenares, Medical Administrative Assistant
• Christine Senn, Chief Operations Officer, Chair-Quality Assurance & Compliance Committee
• Sherry Lesesne, Human Resources Director
• Amy Wilkerson, Director of Marketing
• Jennifer Hardrick, Corporate Regulatory Document Specialist
• Numerous PRN coordinators and nurses

Patient Demographics

The Savannah, Georgia, metropolitan area is home to about 300,000 residents, based on population estimates in 2007. Serving Bryan, Candler, Chatham and Jasper counties, our Savannah clinical site is strategically located in the heart of the medical district. It is within walking distance to pharmacy services and other medical offices.

Demographic Details

Other Information

Thank you for taking the time to learn more about Southeast Regional Research Group. Please feel free to call us for more information, including a tour of our facilities. To learn more about becoming a Principal Investigator, e-mail NewTrials@serrg.com.

To refer a volunteer patient, call 888-SERRG-60 (888-737-7460)

Contact Information

Dr. Joe Surber
Chief Medical Officer/Certified Physician Investigator

Savannah, Georgia Regional Operations Manager
Southeast Regional Research Group
6709 Waters Avenue
Savannah, GA 31406
USA
Phone: 1-888-SERRG-60 (1-888-737-7460)
Fax: 912-351-0541
EMail: NewTrials@SERRG.com
Web Site: http://www.serrg.com

Currently Enrolling Trials

• Have you been diagnosed with atrial fibrillation (A-Fib)? You may be a candidate for an A-Fib study. This study will evaluate the effectiveness and safety of idrabiotaparinux for the prevention of stroke in patients with A-Fib.

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.