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St. Joseph's/Candler Health System, Inc. |
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Center Overview
St. Joseph’s/Candler Health System, Inc. (SJCHS) is a 644 bed, two hospital site, located in the center of historical Savannah, GA. Its inpatient and outpatient services offer a full range of specialty services with more than 440 physicians and dentists. Its heritage of caring began in the early 19th century and has a history of more than 300 years of dedicated service to Savannah and Southeast Georgia. That commitment of yesterday is matched with high-powered technology and advanced medical procedures that clearly rivals any health institution in the country. Patients receive and expect a level of unrivaled care and dedication. SJCHS provides community wellness program, disease management and education services, as well as high-quality diagnostic and advanced medical treatment services through every stage of life. The continuum of care goes beyond the walls of SJCHS, providing outreach and prevention efforts in the communities, offering education, health screenings and other health oriented programs. The inpatient state-of-the-art medical facilities, primary care and outpatient treatment centers have become the benchmark of excellence in the area.
Holding the vision to deliver total cancer care to patients throughout the region, SJCHS is taking cancer care and treatment to a new level. A new Cancer Care and Research Pavilion will offer access to the latest technologies and cancer treatments including research, radiation oncology and outpatient infusion services. While SJCHS is already extensively involved in clinical trials, the Pavilion will allow the growth of clinical research in the area of oncology, giving local residents access to treatment protocols that otherwise may not be easily available to them.
SJCHS has been participating in research for over 7 years, striving to bring new technology and increased medical opportunities to the communities it serves. Interacting with board certified community based physicians serving as investigators, the Office of Research conducts Phase II, III & IV clinical drug and device studies in a broad variety of specialties. The Office of Research has developed an excellent reputation of providing quality data within short timelines from sponsors. The goal of the Office of Research is to enhance patient care through the participation in clinical drug and device studies. Access to leading therapeutic alternatives augments the medical care of their disease. Protocols are selected on the basis of how they will benefit the community vs. the financial incentive to the institution or investigator. SJCHS has the leading computer technology which aids in the quick identification of potential study participants.
Located adjacent to the hospital, the main office at the Candler site provides private workspace for the coordinators and sponsors. A patient exam room allows patients to be seen in a quiet and personal environment. Offices located at the St. Joseph’s site also allows an excellent environment for the coordinators, sponsors and clinical trial participants.
The Office of Research is comprised of 5 full time clinical research coordinators with a variety of high level nursing expertise. All coordinators are RN’s and become CCRC when eligible. In addition, most coordinators hold additional certifications in other areas. Two research pharmacists and five Pharm.D.’s offer clinical pharmacological services to the coordinators, investigators, sponsors, and clinical trial participants. Pharm.D. residents and students augment the research team during various research rotations.
The Office of Research is comprised if 4 full time Clinical Research Coordinators, an Office Manager and a Regulatory Coordinator. The Clinical Research Coordinators are all RN’s and maintain a variety of high level nursing expertise. The Regulatory Coordinator holds the responsibility of all sponsor and FDA regulatory document submissions and serves as a regulatory resource for staff and sponsors. The Director of the Research Department is a DIA certified PI. Two pharmacists and five Pharm.D.’s offer clinical pharmacological services to the coordinators, investigators, sponsors and clinical trial participants. Pharm.D. residents and students augment the research team during various research rotations.
Clinical Research Experience
The Office of Research has been conducting phase II-IV studies for 10 years in the areas of:
- Cardiac
- Diabetes
- Gastroenterology
- Infectious Disease
- Neurology
- Ob/Gyn
- Obesity
- Oncology
- Pediatrics
- Pulmonary
- Sleep Disorders
- Surgery
Facility Description
St. Joseph's/Candler Health System is located in Savannah, Georgia, on the east coast in close proximity to the airport and other public transportation. The System offers primary care services to Savannah and surrounding counties including portions of South Carolina. Because of the location and mild climate, the System draws from a very large retired population (i.e. Sun City, etc.). The System offers a wide range of advanced programs including:
- Advanced Surgery Center
- Diabetes Center
- Gastrointestinal Center
- Pulmonary Center
- Mary Telfair Women’s Hospital
- Cardiac Care
- Neurosensory Center
- Advanced Bone and Joint Center
- Spine Management Program
- Sports Rehabilitation
- Liver Transplant Program
- Pharmacy Resident Program
- Cancer Care and Research Pavilion
Gastrointestinal care, cardiac care, surgical units that provide state-of-the-art technology, pharmacy services, family centered maternity care, women’s services, including mammography and osteoporosis testing, orthopedic care, neurosensory services, pediatric care, diabetic care, cancer care, oto-neurology services, pulmonary and respiratory services, sleep disorders diagnosis and treatment, a full range of rehabilitation and sports medicine services, 24 hour emergency care, and imaging services.
Staff Expertise
Ray R. Maddox, PharmD
Dr. Maddox serves as the Director of Clinical Pharmacy, Research and Pulmonary Medicine at the St. Joseph’s/Candler Health System. Dr. Maddox completed a post-graduate residency in hospital pharmacy practice at the Medical University of South Carolina and completed the Doctor of Pharmacy degree and Clinical Pharmacy Residency training at the University of Kentucky. Dr. Maddox has greater than 30 years of research experience as an investigator. He is extensively involved in professional practice and educational organizations. He has authored numerous manuscripts and presented papers to audiences in this country and abroad.
Wanda Kay North, RN, CCRC, CIM
Wanda Kay North received her A.A. and A.S. (Nursing) degrees from Florida Junior College in Jacksonville, Florida. She completed her B.S.N. from the Medical University of South Carolina and her M.B.A. from Webster University in St. Louis, Missouri. Her nursing experience includes stroke rehabilitation, neonatal intensive care, and aeromedical nursing. Wanda Kay holds the ACRP certification of CCRC and the NAIM certification as a IRB manager. She serves as the Manager of the Office of Research and has greater than twelve years of clinical research experience in a broad range of specialties. She is an active member of ACRP where she has served on the ACRP Board of Trustees, and has Chaired the ACRP Nursing CEU Subcommittee. Wanda Kay is also a member of SoCRA and NAIM.
Sandra Powell, RN
Sandra received her Associate of Science degree in Nursing from Armstrong State College in Savannah, Georgia. She holds national certification in Medical Surgical Nursing from the Academy of Medical Surgical Nurses, with 19 years nursing experience. She is an experienced Clinical Research Coordinator, with experience in hematology/oncology, intensive care/pulmonary, OB/GYN and cardiac studies. Her nursing experience includes oncology, obstetrics, medical surgical, orthopedics, and management. She oversees the conduction of pharmaceutical and cooperative oncology research studies by assisting investigators with the screening and enrollment of research subjects, completes all protocol clinical requirements and maintains sponsor and IRB correspondence.
Cheryl Meadows, RN, CCRC
Cheryl Meadows received her LPN license from Louisiana Vocational Technical School and her Associate Degree of Nursing from Louisiana State University at Alexandria, Louisiana. She obtained her CCRC certification through ACRP. Her nursing experience includes general surgery, emergency care, medical-surgical, digestive and liver disease, labor and delivery, and newborn nursery. She oversees the conduction of various research studies by assisting investigators with the screening and enrollment of research subjects, completes all protocol requirements and maintains sponsor and IRB correspondence.
Johnnie Morrow, CIM
Johnnie Morrow serves as the IRB Administrator for the St. Joseph’s/Candler Health IRB. She is responsible for all areas of IRB management including regulatory affairs and the coordination of all IRB documentation. She is a certified IRB Manager and is an active member of the National Association of IRB Managers (NAIM) and PRIM&R.
Tonja Davis
Tonja Davis serves as the Regulatory Coordinator. She performs regulatory and administrative support for the research nurses, maintains and submits correspondence to the IRB and sponsors, develops pertinent clinical documentation for use in research protocols, assists in the marketing of the Office of Research to sponsors and investigators, provides multiple administrative support to the Manager of the Office of Research and the St. Joseph's/Candler Health System IRB Administrator, and serves as a key contact for various Office of Research activities.
Jim Shelton, RN
Jim graduated with an Associates Degree in Nursing from Armstrong State College. While attending college he worked as a Nursing Assistant. Upon graduation he started his nursing career on the Neuro floor of St. Joseph’s Hospital in Savannah Ga. After gaining considerable experience in the Neuro area, he transferred to the Emergency Room. Prior to joining the Office of Research as a Clinical Research Coordinator, Jim worked for several years in critical care areas throughout the St. Joseph's/Candler Health System. Jim is a retired First Sergeant from the U.S. Army.
Robin Jenkins
Robin received her Associates Degree in Business Administration from Saint Leos University. With 17 years research experience she is currently working as the Data Entry Coordinator where her responsibilities include: assisting the research nurses with collection, recording and entering patient data to case report forms, assisting with submitting and maintaining IRB regulatory documents and providing administrative assistance to the research nurses.
Kelly P. Moore, RN, OCN
Kelly received her Associates of Science Degree in Nursing from Darton College in Albany Georgia. She holds national certification in Oncology Nursing through the Association of Oncology Nurses. Her nursing experience includes, hematology/oncology, stem cell transplant, apheresis and stem cell collection, intensive care/cardiac and surgical, med-surg, and management. She assists investigators in clinical research by coordinating pharmaceutical and cooperative oncology research studies and is involved in the screening and enrollment of research subjects, completion of all protocol requirements and maintaining sponsor and IRB correspondence.
Patient Demographics
The patient population comes from 23 counties in Georgia and some in South Carolina. The total area population we draw from is 1 million. Because of the location of our facilities and the mild temperatures, as well as the coastal atmosphere, we draw a large retired population. (i.e., Sun City, The Landings, etc.). Within this area there is also a large military population and 4 colleges or universities.
Other Information
The St. Joseph’s/Candler Health System, Inc. uses the St. Joseph’s/Candler Health System IRB for studies, under the direction of Dr. James A. Miller, Chair, and Johnnie Morrow, CIM, IRB Manager. IRB meetings are held on a monthly basis, every 3rd Tuesday from 0730 - 0900. The IRB Committee has 15 members, all serving a 2 year term. Protocol submissions must be submitted 2 weeks prior to the meeting date. Approval turnaround is 3-5 business day. The St. Joseph's/Candler Health System IRB prides itself in quick turn around and excellence in data management.
Contact Information
For more information, please contact:
Wanda Kay North, RN, CCRC, CIM
Manager Office of Research
St. Joseph's/Candler Health System, Inc.
Office of Research
5353 Reynolds Street
Savannah, GA 31405 USA
Phone: 912-819-6194
Fax: 912-819-8632
E-mail:
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.
