Overview

Heartland Research Associates (HRA) was started in 1991 by physicians Dr. Terry Poling, Dr. Terry Klein and Dr. Thomas Klein in their family practice in Wichita, Kan. The first studies conducted further spurred the physician’s excitement about research when they saw direct results benefiting patients and the patients enjoyed being a part of the research process! Dr. Scott Meyers and Dr. Tracy Klein joined HRA in 2001. These five physicians decided to continue the commitment to progress patient care and revolutionize patient health by conducting research trials that would improve medicines and patient treatment.

HRA’s mission is to provide quality medical care to our research participants, with a commitment to accurate and precise data for our sponsors. The resulting strong relationship we have with our patients aids in successful recruitment, compliance and retention. This relationship has allowed HRA to grow to four sites in Kansas, five medical directors and more than 60 employees providing high-quality care to our patients while advancing medicine.

Facilities located at:

East Wichita
1709 S. Rock Rd.
Wichita, KS 67207

West Wichita
3730 N. Ridge Rd., Ste. 600
Wichita, KS 67205

Newton
700 Medical Center Dr., Ste. 210
Newton, KS 67114

Augusta
1601 State St.
Augusta, KS 67010

Research Experience

HRA has conducted research trials for more than 20 years in phase 1 to 4 trials in all areas of multispecialty research. The highly experienced research investigators and staff have accomplished the following results:

• Completion of more than 1,000 clinical trials in multispecialty research, resulting in an average enrollment success rate of 100 percent;
• Consistently meet site enrollment goals before sponsors estimated recruitment dates;
• Recruitment strategies result in sites having the first patient enrolled nationally in various indications;
• Completed phase 1 device, biologic and vaccine trials;
• Six FDA inspections due to high enrollment, resulting in no findings;
• Quality assurance department reviews 100 percent of all sources for all locations; and
• Recipient of Best Clinical Trial Site, World Vaccine Congress, 2013.

Facility Description

Each of the four research sites has the following capabilities onsite:

Investigator Experience

Terry L. Poling, MD, DABFP, FAAFP, CCPI, is board certified in family practice and is a co-founder of HRA. Dr. Poling is an AMA delegate for Kansas, acts as chairman and medical director for the Wichita Preferred Provider Association and is a past-president for the Kansas Medical Society. Additionally, Dr. Poling is a clinical assistant professor at the University of Kansas School of Medicine.

Dr. Terry D. Klein, MD, DABFP, CCPI, is board certified in family practice and is a co-founder of HRA. Dr. Klein is a clinical assistant professor at the University of Kansas School of Medicine. Additionally, Dr. Klein is president of an IPA and a board member and past president for the Kansas Medical Society.

Dr. Thomas Klein, MD, DABFP, CCPI, is board certified in family practice and is a co-founder of HRA. Dr. Klein is a clinical assistant professor at the University of Kansas School of Medicine. Additionally, Dr. Klein is certified for full privileges in EGDs, fiber optic sigmoidoscopy and colonoscopy.

Dr. Scott L. Meyers, MD, DABFP, CCPI, is board certified in family practice. Dr. Meyers has served as MSSC delegate to the Kansas Medical Society and is currently serving a position on the insurance committee for the County Medical Society. Additionally, Dr. Meyers serves as a clinical instructor at the University of Kansas School of Medicine.

Dr. Tracy R. Klein, MD, DABFP, CCPI, is board certified in family practice. Dr. Klein is CDE-eligible and is actively involved with an affiliated organization, Heartland Diabetes Associates.

Staff Expertise

The staff of HRA has more than 100 years of cumulative research experience and currently staffs more than 60 GCP-trained, full-time employees in the following positions:

• Affiliated investigator specialists
• Dedicated CRCs
• Patient referral specialists
• Regulatory Specialists
• Quality assurance specialists
• Data entry specialists
• Source document specialist
• Research assistants

Certifications and Specialists

• Alzheimer rating specialists
• Smoking-cessation counselors
• Registered dietician
• Certified CRCs
• Certified diabetes educator

Patient Demographics

HRA has a research database of more than 34,000 volunteers. Additionally, each family practice clinic affiliated with the research site has a database of more than 20,000 patients.

Other Information

Heartland Research locations follow and maintain standard operation procedures. This assures sponsors and CROs that consistency and quality of data will be optimal.

Retention strategies support studies having an average 91 percent retention rate. These strategies include patients volunteering from the investigators’ family practice and exceptional one-on-one care. Supporting strategies include reminder phone calls, birthday cards and quarterly newsletters.

Data is entered within two-to-three business days and studies are monitored regularly for queries.

Advertising plans are created before enrollment begins. Patient referral and marketing specialists create strategies that draw specific audiences to take action. Advertising efforts include email campaigns, television or radio commercials, direct mailers and print ads.