Therapeutic Areas

Cardiology/Vascular Diseases
Dermatology/Plastic Surgery
Endocrinology
Gastroenterology
Hematology
Immunology/Infectious Diseases
Musculoskeletal
Nephrology/Urology
Obstetrics/Gynecology
Ophthalmology
Otolaryngology
Pediatrics/Neonatology
Psychiatry/Psychology
Pulmonary/Respiratory Diseases
Rheumatology

Center Overview

Health Research of Hampton Roads, Inc. (HRHR) is a private, physician-owned, dedicated research facility located in Newport News, in the heavily populated (1.7 million) and diverse Tidewater/Hampton Roads region of Eastern Virginia.

Established in 1998, HRHR conducts a variety of contract research projects including Phase II-IV, Rx-to-OTC clinical studies, and outcomes research/focus groups/QOL cognitive debriefings for the pharmaceutical industry.

Our goal is to provide high quality data and rapid enrollment with optimal efficiency and superior patient safety. This has been successfully achieved at HRHR since our inception employing an experienced, stable, well-trained and certified staff of study coordinators, a research dedicated Principal Investigator, affiliated medical specialist investigators, a large patient data base and an ideally equipped 5,000 square foot research facility.

The HRHR team works diligently to meet, and often exceeds the study-established enrollment goal, having been a national enrollment and data quality leader on several studies.

Mission Statement: Advancing local, national and international community health by promoting development of better medical therapies, and enhancing existing therapies, through the professionally superior conduct of safe and ethically sound human research studies.

Clinical Research Experience

Dr. Chester "Tim" L. Fisher, Jr., M.D., M.P.H is the President and Medical Director of Health Research of Hampton Roads, Inc. Dr. Fisher is an experienced Principal Investigator, conducting clinical trials and outcomes research for more than 20 years. He has owned and operated HRHR since its opening in 1998 and has clinical and outcomes research experience in the following areas:

• Acute Musculoskeletal Pain (shoulder, low back, elbow)
• Arthritis (Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid, Gout)
• Asthma
• Allergic Rhinitis (adult/pediatric perennial and seasonal)
• Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia
• Bronchitis (acute and chronic)
• Community Acquired Pneumonia
• COPD
• Constipation, IBS
• Diabetes
• Heartburn/GERD
• High cholesterol, triglycerides
• Hypertension
• Obesity/Metabolic Syndrome
• Ophthalmology (Conjunctivitis, Dry Eye, Glaucoma)
• Sinusitis
• Strep Throat
• Vaccine Trials [Smallpox, Shingles/HZ, Influenza, Seasonal Allergy, Human Papillomavirus (HPV)]
• Women's Health (Vaginitis, Low Libido)

Health Research of Hampton Roads, Inc. has enjoyed working with the following Sponsors and CROs to improve health care as we know it today:

Sponsor List:

CRO List:

Facility Description

HRHR is designed to accommodate the needs of subjects, sponsors and CROs. HRHR is conveniently situated in central Newport News along a major thoroughfare with public bus service, less than 4 miles from an international airport, and with an open and free parking lot at the facility. Located within 5,000 square feet of office space are 7 exam rooms, laboratory, locked storage space for study medication and study records, spacious monitor work space, and reception area. Special equipment located on site include:

• Freezers (-20°C and -40°C)
• Refrigerated Centrifuge
• Ambient Temperature Centrifuge
• ECG machine
• KoKo spirometer
• Blood Pressure (Mercury column, sphygmomanometer)
• Low Level CLIA compliant lab
• Cholestech machine
• Glucometer testing
• High Speed Internet Access
• Experience with EDC, electronic diaries (e.g. PHT), and IVRS diaries
• Site-Specific SOPs

HRHR also has ready access to the following equipment and services:

• DEXA scanner
• CT and MRI scanners
• Standard X-Radiography
• GI procedures (In-office endo suite)
• Ultrasound
• Exercise Stress Testing (Treadmill, Echo)
• Dietary Analysis by Registered Dietician

Investigator Experience

HRHR is affiliated with a large group of physicians with a variety of backgrounds and specialties. These physicians are board certified and have experience in clinical research.

Chester "Tim" L. Fisher, Jr., M.D., M.P.H. – HRHR President, Medical Director, Principal Investigator (or Sub-Investigator) on more than 200 clinical trials over 20 years in multiple therapeutic areas. Published with research experience at CDC and Prevention. Board certified in Family Practice (1982–2002) and Preventive/Occupational Medicine (1992–Present). Graduated from Eastern Virginia Medical School in Norfolk, VA, and completed residency at Riverside Hospital, an affiliate of the Medical College of Virginia. Obtained a Master of Public Health from Emory University in Atlanta, GA, and practices in Preventive and Occupational Medicine. After 13 years in family practice he decided to devote his attention to research.

George H. Freeman, M.D., C.P.I. – Principal Investigator on 4 clinical trials and Sub-Investigator on over 60 other clinical trials. 20 years of experience in Women's Health Care, including both private practice and assistant professor positions at a major university. American Board of OB/Gyn certified (1989–Present) and an Association of Clinical Research Professionals (ACRP) certified Physician Investigator (2004–Present). Graduated from and residency-trained at the Medical College of Virginia. Multiple research interests include gynecologic endocrinology, hormone replacement, contraception, and the potential role of supplements/nutraceuticals in health care.

Frances L. Newman, F.N.P.-B.C. – Sub-Investigator on over 65 HRHR clinical studies. Board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner with lengthy clinical experience in Acute (Emergency) and Nonacute/Chronic (Primary) Care and Indigent (Free Clinic) Medicine.

Staff Expertise

HRHR employs highly trained and skilled clinical research professionals. In addition to extensive on-site training, coordinators are encouraged to become ACRP certified once eligible. All staff members are experienced and trained in GCP compliance and Regulatory Affairs.

HRHR Investigators: HRHR employs 3 in-house investigators (2 Principal and 1 Sub-Investigator). Principal Investigators include our Medical Director, Dr. Fisher, who is supported by Dr. Freeman, a Board Certified OB/GYN who is also an ACRP Certified investigator (CPI). HRHR also has the pleasure of partnering with specialty physicians (as PIs or sub-investigators) to meet the demands of specific trials.

Ms. Newman, the Sub-Investigator, is a Board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner.

HRHR Clinical Research Coordinators: HRHR has 3 full time (two of which are certified in clinical research) and 2 part time coordinators (one of which is an R.N.) Once eligible all coordinators are encouraged to complete their ACRP certification. Coordinators are responsible for the completion and submission of regulatory documents, subject recruitment and overseeing the daily operations of their assigned protocol. HRHR coordinators also assist one another with recruitment and study visits. Most CRCs possess a bachelor degree or higher in a related field (i.e. Biology). Two of our coordinators are licensed nurses and one is a Certified Smoking Cessation Coordinator.

HRHR Subject Recruiter: In addition to the efforts of CRCs, HRHR has a dedicated nurse recruiter. Our recruiter is responsible for being familiar with all currently enrolling trials in order to conduct phone screens and act as a liaison between HRHR and any central or independent marketing agency.

HRHR Laboratory Technician: HRHR employs a full time Medical Laboratory Technician who is responsible for knowing the laboratory requirements for all protocols conducted at our site. Clinical Labs are collected, processed and shipped from our facility. Regularly scheduled and call-in pick-up is used for a variety of couriers.

Contract Support: HRHR's Site Administrator handles budgets and contracts.

Patient Demographics

HRHR maintains an in-house database of over 4,000 individuals who have either participated in trials at HRHR or expressed an interest in participating in future clinical research trials. HRHR is constantly building their database through health fairs, newspaper advertising, radio advertising and subject referrals.

HRHR is located in one of the top 30 largest metropolitan areas in the United States. Population demographics show that the Hampton Roads area is home to 1.7 million culturally diverse individuals (49.3% Male, 50.7% Female).

Other Information

Site is not under the jurisdiction of local IRB; site able to utilize central IRB

Contact Center

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.