Thursday, December 15, 2011

"No one can motivate you, except you! Well, unless money is involved."



Sarah Howard, RN - Business Development Manager

My theory in life to never look to the past as it is in the past for a reason. Learning from one’s own adventures and moving forward is the only way to live and learn. As you can tell, I am very optimistic and almost theoretical in a sense. Now, my friends, family, and co-workers would not agree with half of that last statement. Ha-ha!

The first paragraph maybe how I think, but definitely not how I act. I love to have fun, I’m always laughing, and it’s extremely hard to break my spirit. People may say I am quick witted, except if the one-liner comes from someone I’m not expecting it from. I am an extrovert to the extreme. I draw all my energy from the people I surround myself with. Most of my friends are as outgoing as I am and I love it! It seems I always have a story of something happening in my life, and if I don’t, I’ll make one up.

I am very close to my parents. My dad is my rock and where I have learned how to keep it real with people. My mom is my best friend and makes me laugh…laughter is the one thing in life that is absolutely real and beautiful. My younger brother is stationed in Washington State in the Army. He’s pretty much amazing and will tell you he is. J I also have two kids; I mean dogs—Trystin and Lucy, which have absolutely taken over my house. I love to see their tails wagging as soon as I walk in the door…yeah, they love me J

There are many things that I like/love and want to do. I love Diet Coke…like I have to have it to survive! That may seem extreme—but that is really how it is. I have two things on my bucket list that I would absolutely love to do—go sky diving and parasailing. I LOVE music, although I am not really a big country music fan but I guess some is ok (shhh! Don’t tell anyone). Music helps time go by and I absolutely swear there is a song for every aspect of my life. If there is not, there will be one out very soon. I love bright colors because they match my personality and seem to be what I am drawn to. Most scrubs that I wear look as if a highlighter had attacked them.

I could keep talking about myself, but I believe that is enough for now and I don’t want to bore anyone. J

Monday, December 5, 2011

"I am passionate about healthcare, business development, social media and coffee.”


Crystal Bingham - Clinical Research Manager


I am a self described optimist who loves so many things, it would take up a whole page and then some. My motto in life is to be authentic. If you are true to who you are, then and only then, will you have people in your life that care about the true you. My nickname at work is Shooter-McBingham…I don’t know, how that started, but I think one of the girls said it’s because I am a straight shooter and I always shoot it straight i.e tell people truth.

If I wasn’t so busy with my MBA, I would probably do more photography. I love taking pictures. I think I love it so much because it is the one time when you can truly capture a “moment”. It is those moments when people are not looking or know you are taking their picture when you can truly capture a person through the lens.

We all have moments in our lives that define who we are, mine are the day I met my husband, and the days I had my children. My husband and my kids are the most important thing to me. I know that sounds cliché, but it is the truth. My husband makes me a better me and my kids have shown me a love I never knew before I had them. The one thing I have learned over the past few years, is that the time we have with them goes by so fast and we all need to cherish those moments as often as we can.

Thursday, December 1, 2011

Keep Watching for IT!!

We are going to start introducing everyone to the people behind the scenes of our Research Center team. Once a week one of our employees will have a short biography posted. Let us know what you think!

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Individuals Interested in Modifying their Cholesterol Needed for Research Study


If you have had a heart attack or stroke, you will know about cholesterol and the need to keep its level low. It can be a struggle, but a good diet, plenty of exercise, and statins (medication that lower bad cholesterol) can help. But did you know that there is a good type of cholesterol? And the more good cholesterol you have, the better - because it may help to prevent further heart attacks and strokes.

The purpose of this study is to see if raising levels of good cholesterol and further lowering levels of bad cholesterol can save more lives and reduce the change of having a heart attack, stroke, or other heart complications. Anacetrapib is an investigational drug used in this study that may raise levels of good cholesterol and lower levels of bad cholesterol in your blood. It is taken along with a statin to see if bad cholesterol level is reduced even further than if just taking a statin alone.

To qualify for this study, you must:

  •     Be male or female aged 50 years or older
  •     Have had a heart attack, or stroke, or peripheral arterial disease (such as an aortic aneurysm repair or graft), or diabetes with unstable angina.


Eligible participants will receive a statin and study medication (anacetrapib or placebo) at no charge and will be compensated for time and travel. For more information, please contact us at 765-298-2040 or sheri.lipps@ecommunity.com

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Interview with Dr. Oscherwitz


Here is an interview conducted with Dr. Nanette Oscherwitz that was featured in our most recent newsletter. Dr. Oscherwitz is a cardiologist and will be helping with our upcoming heart attack trials.

How did you get interested in Clinical Research?
 It is an aspect that I have never been able to do before. I have always wanted to help others and find ways to improve the outcome for patients.

What are you anticipating most with the upcoming trial?
 I am always looking for an opportunity to make things better for my patients.

In what ways will this role help to stretch your professional capabilities? 
I have never been able to do clinical research before and this will give me an even more well-balanced approach to my patients.

What have been your greatest areas of improvement in your career?
 My ability to quickly assess and act upon any situation, as well as to read between the lines when patients are talking to me.

What does your work as a cardiologist involve?
 I see new and returning patients in the office, as well as in the hospital. Also, assessing emergencies in the emergency department. I also take care of high-risk OB patients from a cardiac perspective.


What would you say makes you uniquely qualified for your line of work?
I have the ability to connect with patients and their families. Also, I believe that it is extremely important for the patients and families to understand their situation.


What is the most important life lesson you have learned in the medical field?
There is never a good time to be sick. Also, though you always feel like it “will never happen to me,” it may!

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

The Future of Clinical Trials?

As with the rest of society, clinical research is taking a step in the direction of technology. This article expands the possibilities of the future of clinical research with the luxury of staying at home. Read on for more information!!


http://www.centerwatch.com/news-online/headline-details.aspx?HeadlineID=1763

Cutting back on fats, sugar might protect against Alzheimer’s

Are you trying to put an early halt on Alzheimer's? Read this article for a few tips on how to keep it at bay.
Cutting back on fats, sugar might protect against Alzheimer’s
Jun 13, 2011 4:01 PM
Following a diet that’s low in saturated fat and quickly digested carbohydrates, such as doughnuts and white bread, could cut your risk of developing Alzheimer’s, suggests a study published today in the June issue of the journal Archives of Neurology.

Researchers fed 20 healthy adults either a diet that had a high glycemic index and lots of saturated fat or a low glycemic index and little saturated fat for four weeks. They then gave the participants a memory test. Those who ate the low-fat, low-glycemic-index diet performed better on the memory test, and also had lower blood levels of certain markers of Alzheimer’s disease. A similar experiment in 29 adults who already had some signs of cognitive showed similar, though not quite as impressive, results.

While this study is quite small and relatively short, it's not the first to look at the effects of diet on cognition. Earlier research has shown the Mediterranean way of eating can lower risk of developing Alzheimer’s. And numerous studies suggest that fruits, vegetables, fatty fish, and other foods might help preserve mental agility by protecting blood vessels and promoting regeneration of nerve cells.

Bottom line: Eat good-for-you foods now. Aim for at least five servings of produce a day, including some leafy greens and cruciferous vegetables. Keep trans and saturated fats, which could hasten brain aging, to a minimum, and get healthful fats from fish, nuts, and vegetable oils.

For more information, see our guide to fats in food and our advice on how to eat healthfully.


 
—Ginger Skinner

Monday, June 13, 2011

E.Coli Outbreak

Have you been following the news in regards to the E.Coli outbreak? Here is an article from the New York Times giving new insights into where it all began...

Germany Says Bean Sprouts Likely E.Coli Source

Thursday, June 9, 2011

First Clinical Trial

This video will give you a step by step idea of what your clinical trial will be like. Hopefully after watching it, you will feel more comfortable coming in to CCRC and helping researchers to find a solution to your illness. Enjoy!
The Clinical Trials Guru