2. Mission Statement
To share our clinical research expertise in
partnership with the pharmaceutical industry, in
order to discover and develop innovative
medicines and other healthcare solutions that
enrich people’s lives.
3. Overview
Miami Research Associates (MRA) was
established in 1996.
MRA is the largest physician-owned
Multi-specialty clinical research center in
the United States.
Over 1,000 Phase I-IV clinical trials
successfully conducted.
5. MRA Operations
MRA Primary Campus
Phase I Center
Broward Research Group (Sister Site)
Sleep Centers (Broward & Miami-Dade)
International Operations (Dominican Republic)
Patient Recruitment Advertising Agency
6. Overview > Multi-specialty Therapeutic Divisions:
Dermatology Neuroscience
- Dr. Robert Goddard > Psychiatry
Gastroenterology - Dr. Americo F. Padilla
- Dr. Harris Goldberg > Neuropsychology
- Dr. Howard Schwartz - Rafael Rivas-Vazquez, Psy.D.
- Gustavo J. Rey, PhD
Phase I Unit Director
- Dr. Patricia Pardo > Neurology
- Dr. Bruce Kohrman
Nutrition/Endocrinology
- Dr. Diane Krieger
Ophthalmology
- Dr. Ann Elizabeth Ballen
Pulmonology
Pediatrics
- Dr. Jeremy Tabak - Dr. Adriana Castro
Rheumatology Urology
- Dr. Jaime Pachón - Dr. John Mekras
- Dr. Eric Sheldon
MORE >
7. Overview > Multi-specialty Therapeutic Divisions:
Sleep Disorders
- Dr. Howard Schwartz
- Dr. Timothy Grant
Vaccines
- Dr. Eric Sheldon
Cardiology
- Dr. Harry Aldrich
- Dr. Abbe Rosenbaum
Women’s Health
- Dr. Robert Feldman
Anesthesiology
- Dr. Michael Meister
- Dr. Guillermo Pol
8. Human Subject Protection
Association for the Accreditation of
Human Research Protection
Programs (AAHRPP)
MRA is one of only two non-
academic clinical research centers
to receive this prestigious
recognition Accredited Since 2010
9. Our History
1992 1996
- Hurricane Andrew - Dr. Schwartz partnered
with Dr. Eric Sheldon and
Dr. Robert Salzman’s
Rheumatology research
division to form Miami
Research Associates
- Dr. Howard Schwartz
began conducting H.
Pylori studies
10. Our History > Growth/New Divisions
1998
Psychiatry Division established
o Pediatric & Adult Psychiatry
1999
Established the Women’s Health Division
2000
Sleep Medicine Division
Nutrition/Endocrinology Division
11. Our History > Growth/New Divisions
2001
Broward Research Group (BRG) opened its doors
under the care of Medical Director Dr. David Seiden,
Board Certified in Neurology & Sleep Medicine
12. Our History > Growth/New Divisions
2005
Opened the In-patient
& Sedation Division
at South Miami Hospital
Increased our patient
recruitment resources
to include in-house Multi-Media
Radio & TV capabilities
13. Our History > Growth/New Divisions
2006
Miami Research Associates built an 18,000 square feet research facility.
Key Advantages:
All Investigators are on-site, which makes
them easily accessible
South Miami Hospital is located on the
same city block
Improved flexible staff resourcing between
divisions
On-site Equipment Includes:
Endoscopy Suite
Clinical RSVP (Digital Subject Validation)
DEXA Scan
Echocardiogram
ECGs
Digital X-Ray
Driving Simulator
14. Our History > Growth/New Divisions
2007
Opened an 11,000 square foot, 50
bed state of the art Phase 1 Unit
Began Latin American Research, in
Santo Domingo, D.R.
Expanded our Sleep Center capabilities
to 12 bedroom suites
Added Text Marketing capabilities to our
in-house patient recruitment multi-media
center
16. Research Staff Overview
MRA is proud of its low employee
turnover rate
Our Senior Research Coordinators
have an average of 8 years of
experience
Our dedicated staff has been an
integral part to the company’s success
17. Our Dedicated Staff
30 years or more 5-10 years
Linda Camp, MA* Douglas Kalman, PhD*
20 years or more Terry Piedra*
Vivian Rosales* Thelma Beltran, LPN*
15-20 years Gisela Cortina
Margarita Mederos Surisaday Mederos, RN*
Sharon Oxford, CDT
10-15 years Jack Mesa, MCP
Mirnaya Alabaci* Elaine Moncayo
Isabel Pino, ARNP-BC* Samantha Feldman, RD*
Marlene Piloto Karol Keller, DVM
Linda Nannini, LPN* Ricardo Aleman, BA*
Teresa L. Wright, CCRP Jose Garcia, MBA
Meredith Arguelles, LPN*
Martha I. Quinones * = denotes CCRC Certification
19. Our Dedicated Staff > Education
Many of our staff members continue their education
while working at MRA.
Here are some recent graduates …
Ivette Hernandez, RN
Naime Reyno-Ramos, RN
Yelenia Reyno, RN
Noris Peraita, RN
Surisaday Mederos, RN
Ricardo Aleman, BA
Jose Garcia, MBA
Poliana Ayala, completing RN degree
Chelsea Cabrera, completing RN degree
George Sanchez, MD
20. Dedicated Phase I Center
We do studies other sites can’t.
We do studies other sites can’t.
21. Phase I > Overview
Conducts numerous complex studies that
other sites can’t
Uniquely offers high-level medical oversight
of special populations and healthy volunteers
Consistent in being highest enrollers
Excellent subject retention (over 90%)
Sponsor requests for additional cohorts
Multiple therapeutic areas
22. Phase I > Trial Experience
As of January 2011, our Phase I Center completed over 80 trials, including:
First-in Man
PK/PD
ECG/Cardiac Safety
Special Populations
Pediatrics
Vaccines
Food Interaction
Pharmacokinetics
Dose Ranging
Jet Lag
Polysomnography
QTc Monitoring
Endoscopic Safety
Bioavailability/Bioequivalency
23. Phase I > Facility Description
11,000 Square Feet Security
50 Active Beds Cameras throughout the facility
Central Nursing Station Key Card Restricted Access
Closed-Circuit TV
Multiple dorms configured
for privacy, cohort mgmt. Entertainment
DVDs
Internet access via
Video Games
desktops & Wi-Fi
Board Games
Three activity areas Flat panel TVs
24-hour lab turnaround Educational/Art Activities
Customized meals by
registered dietitians
Across from South Miami
Hospital
24. Phase I > Clinical Capabilities
Equipment: Emergency Equipment:
Mortara Wireless Telemetry Emergency Room located less
EEG than 100 yards from unit
ECG Crash Cart
Refrigerated Centrifuges Emergency Medications
Echocardiogram 2 Defibrillators
Endoscopy Oxygen Tank
PSG Recording Pull Cord Emergency Service
DEXA Scanner installed in bathrooms
Digital X-Ray
-70°C Freezers
Spirometry
Compounding Scale
Biosafety Cabinet Level 2 Certified Hood
Slit Lamp
25. Phase I > Special Populations
Elderly Obesity
Hepatic Parkinson’s
Renal Depression
Psoriasis Pediatric ADHD
Type II Diabetes Arthritis
Post-Menopausal o Rheumatoid
o Osteoarthritis
Hypertension
Lupus
26. MRA Business Development
Site Feasibility
Initial Communication with
Sponsor/CRO
Confidentiality Agreements
Teresa L. Wright, CCRP
Synopsis Review
Feasibility Questionnaires
Pre-Study Site Visits
Karol Keller, DVM
27. Protocol Development
Under Direction of:
Diane R. Krieger, MD
Samantha Feldman, MS, RD, CDE, CCRC
Doug Kalman, PhD, RD, CCRC, FACN
Protocol Design
Protocol Monitoring
Report Writing
Statistical Analysis
Meeting Presentations
28. Contracts & Regulatory
Rapid turnaround time
Regulatory Document Completion
Central IRB Submissions
Interfaced with Marketing & Advertising
Division for in-house ad creations,
expediting the approval process for
rapid advertising campaign executions
29. Marketing/Advertising
In-house advertising agency
Multi-media capabilities
Print
Radio
TV
Internet (Web Portals/Email Marketing)
Social Media (i.e. Facebook, Twitter, YouTube)
SMS (Text Messaging)
News Releases
Conferences/Special Events
Media Buying Power
Public Relations
Campaign Response Analytics
30. Recruitment/Retention
Recruitment Retention
Advertising in local media, Early patient education
internet and conventional Establish good rapport with
mediums subjects
Dedicated Call Center with state Frequent follow-up and
of the art technology and reminder contacts via phone,
experienced staff emails and SMS texting
Guerrilla Marketing
HIPAA Compliant Database of
over 30,000 Willing Subjects
31. Quality Assurance
Linda Camp
(Center), along with Ana
Soler and Victoria
Czenstochouski,
are responsible for:
SOP Creation, Revision, and Implementation
Sponsor/FDA Audit Preparation
Inform Study Coordinators through the “QA Tip of the Week”
Standardization
Upfront/Backend QA
32. Site Training
MRA conducts various trainings
throughout the year in order to provide
our staff with the most current
knowledge available :
GCP training
Training Sessions for ACRP
Certification Exam
Research Assistant Training
for new employees
HIPAA Training
Investigator’s Lunch and
Learn Series
33. Pharmacy/Drug Storage
All Study Drug is kept in secure pharmacy
Temperature (24/7, Min and Max Recording)
Refrigerators, -20 & -70 C Freezers
Alarm Guard
Strictly enforced limited access
Biosafety Cabinet Level 2 Certified Hood
Backup-Generator in case of power failure
34. Laboratory
Laboratory Management
Evaluates protocol to establish laboratory needs
Attends SIV
Coordinates with resource manager to generate
calendar of events
Prepares pertinent logs & requisition forms
Prepares laboratory kits needed throughout
the study
Packs & Ships specimens
Oversees sample retention
35. Safety & Protocol Adherence
Prior to screening the first subject:
Protocol-specific training is held
with PI, Sub-Is, study coordinator
and research staff
Research staff must complete
study review sheet
36.
37. Technology
High level of network security
Virtualization- On-site and off-site
2 System-tier for Internet (T1 and
Cable)
Internet availability within and outside
our network
Wi-Fi for Monitor Access
Optimized Data Management
Telecommunications, including web
conferencing
Enhanced Back Up System
Higher Security including key card
access, DVR camera system
throughout building and suites
38. Electronic Data Capture
Our research staff EDC systems Data Entry usually occurs
training includes within 24 hours of seeing
the subject
I*NET
Trialink Quality Control
Phoenix Data Systems
Subject’s source
Inform / Phase Forward document is reviewed
Flex DMS prior to and during data
Oracle RDC entry
Medidata/Rave Data Clarifications are
StudyWorks answered within 24
QDS DEAS hours of receipt
39. Conclusion
MRA excels at conducting complex clinical trials due to:
Highly-trained clinical staff
Multi-specialty physicians on-site and on-call
High Investigator Involvement
Ability to conduct trials from Phase I to IV
Access to a diverse patient population
Outstanding recruitment/retention capabilities
40. Key Contacts
Medical Director: Howard I. Schwartz, MD
• Phone: (305) 598-3125 / Email: hschwartz@miamiresearch.com
Medical Director: Eric A. Sheldon, MD
• Phone: (305) 598-3125 / Email: esheldon@miamiresearch.com
Business Development:
• Teresa L. Wright, CCRP
• Phone: (305) 279-0015 ext. 4223 / Email: twright@miamiresearch.com
• Karol Keller, DVM
• Phone: (954) 351-8868 / Email: kkeller@miamiresearch.com
Director of Operations: Marysol Cassola
• Phone: (305) 279-0015 ext. 4250 / Email: mcassola@miamiresearch.com