Print
Health Care

PMG Leads Patient Enrollment In Apixaban Trials

By Ken Little, posted Jan 9, 2013

PMG Research of Wilmington is receiving attention for its efforts in enrolling patients in a clinical trial for an anticoagulant drug.

The study currently underway is for the drug Apixaban, which is being tested for use in treating deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE).

Dr. Kevin Cannon and his team enrolled more patients in the study than any other facility in North America and finished in a two-way tie for producing the seventh-most enrollees out of 258 sites in the world involved in the trial, according to a news release.

Cannon, a hospitalist with Wilmington Health and also a principal investigator at PMG Research of Wilmington, said in the release that the effort “was a true team effort.”

“Our team came together to recruit, screen and enroll these patients, which is a testament to the way we work at PMG; we support each other,” Cannon said.

Worldwide, the enrollment period spanned three years because eligibility requirements are very stringent to protect the patients’ safety.

If approved for use for DVT/PE, Apixaban, by Pfizer, has the potential “to save countless lives,” PMG Research officials said.

The anticoagulant drug could theoretically replace Coumadin, also known as warfarin sodium, as the treatment of choice for certain medical conditions because it might have fewer side effects and less interactions with foods and other drugs than Coumadin does.
The study is double-blind so that neither the physician nor the patient knows if the medication each patient receives is the drug or the placebo.

“We have had the opportunity to treat over 70 patients with acute blood clots in either their legs, lungs or both. Many of these patients did not have insurance and were able to receive medical care, imaging and follow up that they would likely not otherwise have access to,” Rachel McCorkle, assistant site manager and certified clinical research coordinator at PMG who is assigned to the trial, said in a news release.

PMG Research of Wilmington is one of more than 60 clinical research-related businesses in the area.

One of 10 sites belonging to the PMG Research network based in Winston-Salem, the Wilmington site has been conducting clinical trials since 1997. In that time, the site has conducted hundreds of trials for flu vaccines and for various common conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, arthritis, heart disease and irritable bowel syndrome.

Despite the large number of clinical research-related businesses in the area, Cannon said that without volunteers, trials couldn’t exist.

“I don’t know that many people are aware that Wilmington is such a ‘hub’ for clinical research. So much can be gained from participating in a clinical trial,” Cannon said. “Both the pharmaceutical sponsor and the participant can reap huge benefits. My hope is that more people will consider participating in a trial if the time is right and they find a trial that is suited for them.”

PMG of Wilmington is currently enrolling about 20 different trials for conditions including acne, asthma, COPD, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, IBS, multiple sclerosis, prostate cancer and weight loss.

Dosher Memorial recognized for emergency care
Dosher Memorial Hospital was recently chosen from more than 1,900 hospitals nationwide to receive the 2012 T-System Client Excellence Award for Rapid Process Improvement with an Emergency Department Information System.

T-System Inc., which offers clinical, business and IT solutions for emergency care, annually recognizes hospital and primary and urgent care clinic partners improving the quality of patient care and satisfaction, community health leadership, operational processes and financial results.

Dosher’s emergency department converted to T-System’s electronic health record system in April 2011.

“Electronic charting is an invaluable asset for timely patient care as well as meeting regulatory needs,” Joann Turzer-Commesso, Dosher’s director of emergency services, said in a news release.

As part of the recognition, T-System made a $500 donation to the Dosher Memorial Hospital Foundation on behalf of the hospital.

Dosher volunteers elect officers for 2013
Dosher Hospital Volunteers recently elected officers for 2013.

They are: DeVota Vereen, president; Lois Correll, vice president; Pauline Swain, treasurer; Jean Brown, secretary; and Chris Dudley, chaplain.

For years, the Dosher Hospital Volunteers have supported Dosher Memorial Hospital and its departments and services.

In the past year, the volunteers donated more than $86,000 to the hospital for needed equipment and supplies. Donations total more than $1.25 million since 1973.
Dosher Volunteers donate more than 30,000 hours in service each year, the equivalent of about 15 full-time employees, hospital officials said.

Volunteers work in hospital departments, Dosher’s gift shop and at the Dosher Hospital Volunteers Flea Market, 129 E. Moore St.

SEAHEC physicians receive recognition
Three South East Area Health Education Center (SEAHEC) physicians – Dr. Mark E. Williams and Dr. H. Alexander Easley III at University Physicians and Dr. Albert A. Meyer at Coastal Family Medicine – were recently included in a national Best Doctors list.

The Best Doctors in America list is a peer-evaluated, biennial database of the top 5 percent of physicians in the United States. Headquartered in Boston, Best Doctors Inc. was established by Harvard Medical School professors in 1989. The results are determined by contacting more than 45,000 physicians in the Best Doctors’
database and asking, “If you or a loved one needed a doctor in your specialty, who would you refer them to?” A physician must be nominated by a current physician member to be considered for inclusion.

“SEAHEC congratulates Drs. Williams, Easley and Meyer. They have dedicated their careers to providing the highest level of patient care and teaching resident physicians, and the Best Doctors recognition is well deserved,” Dr. Joe Pino, SEAHEC’s interim president and CEO, said in a news release.

An internal medicine physician specializing in geriatric care for more than 30 years, Williams is board certified by the American Board of Medicine of Internal Medicine in internal medicine and specifically in geriatric medicine.

Easley is board certified by the American Board of Obstetrics & Gynecology and has been providing gynecologic medicine for more than 25 years.

Also practicing for more than 30 years, Meyer is board certified by the American Board of Family Medicine.

All three are associate professors with the UNC School of Medicine, with faculty teaching positions at New Hanover Regional Medical Center.

Ico insights

INSIGHTS

SPONSORS' CONTENT
Mcwhorter 0005

The Coastal Corridor is Helping Wilmington Startups With Connected Devices for Life Sciences Industry

Heather McWhorter - UNCW Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Web awstaffpic2020 1 132245438

The 2024 Luncheon for Literacy featuring Special Guest Jason Mott

Alesha Edison Westbrook - Cape Fear Literacy Council
Chris coudriet

A Public Service Profile on Creating Beauty in Our Community

Chris Coudriet - New Hanover County Government

Trending News

Conservation Group Signs $8M Deal To Buy The Point On Topsail Island

Audrey Elsberry - Mar 26, 2024

National Organization Bestows Top Award On Cape Fear Professional Women In Building

Staff Reports - Mar 26, 2024

Engineering Firm Hires Four Employees

Staff Reports - Mar 26, 2024

N.C. Ports Officials React To Baltimore Bridge Collapse

Audrey Elsberry - Mar 26, 2024

NCino's Fourth-quarter Earnings Signal Rebound From Liquidity Crisis

Audrey Elsberry - Mar 27, 2024

In The Current Issue

Hacking Cyberdefense Shortage

A shortage of cybersecurity professionals influenced professor Ulku Clark and her team to slowly evolve UNCW’s offerings to now include eigh...


INFO JUNKIE: Jack Fleming

Jack Fleming, owner of Socialry Marketing & Scourz and emcee for 1 Million Cups Wilmington, shares his media and tech picks....


Q&A: Andrews Reflects On Leadership

Pender County Manager David Andrews is slated to retire this summer after 33 years in local government....

Book On Business

The 2024 WilmingtonBiz: Book on Business is an annual publication showcasing the Wilmington region as a center of business.

Order Your Copy Today!


Galleries

Videos

2023 Power Breakfast: Major Developments