Aurora BayCare Medical Center is raising the bar in clinical research in Northeastern Wisconsin

Aurora BayCare Medical Center hosted a clinical research event on Sept. 17 for caregivers, in conjunction with research awareness week, Sept. 14-18. More than 25 caregivers were honored for their current participation in advancing innovative clinical research.

"This event is a celebration of our accomplishments, an educational opportunity for those not currently involved in research and a kick-off to creating innovative research ideas," said Annette Paul, supervisor of clinical research at Aurora BayCare.

Local leadership and system research representatives discussed the current state of research at Aurora BayCare and throughout the Aurora system. Academic, corporate and health care partners had educational booths out for display and offered time for questions and answers.

Numerous cancer clinical trials have been ongoing in the Vince Lombardi Cancer Clinic at Aurora BayCare for various types of cancers, but research recently expanded beyond cancer trials. For example, Aurora BayCare has research options for patients with degenerative disc disease, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease and ankle injuries. Patients have access to more than three dozen open clinical trials at Aurora BayCare and more than 400 open trials throughout the Aurora system.

Principal investigators honored includes:

  • Paul Baek, M.D., neurosurgery
  • Edward Barylak, M.D., oncology
  • Nancy Davis, M.D., oncology
  • Robert Limoni, M.D., orthopedics
  • Raul Mendoza, M.D., pulmonology
  • James Napier, M.D., neurology
  • Dhimant Patel, M.D., oncology
  • David Rohde, M.D., oncology
  • Paul Summerside, M.D., orthopedics
  • Merle Teetzen, M.D., neurology

Clinical researchers honored includes:

  • Per Anderas, M.D., surgery
  • Stephen Brada, M.D., anesthesiology
  • Ernesto Brauer, M.D., pulmonology
  • Mark Gardon, M.D., neurosurgery
  • Wesley Griffitt, M.D., neurosurgery
  • O.M. Halaweh, M.D., oncology
  • Richard Harrison, M.D., neurosurgery
  • Jon Henry, M.D., orthopedics
  • Michael Hsie, M.D., radiation oncology
  • Raisa Lev, M.D., interventional neuroradiology
  • Ramana Rao Marada, M.D., pulmonology
  • Alexander Roitstein, M.D., pulmonology
  • Kevin Weinkers, M.D., ophthalmology
  • Steven Weinshel, M.D., neurosurgery

Research coordinators honored includes:

  • Sara Beno-Chambers, N.P.
  • Lesley Bitters, R.N.
  • Jared Hocking, P.A.
  • Lori McElrone, C.C.R.C.
  • Kate Newbanks, R.N.
  • Theresa Schuck, M.S.
  • Corina Zabel, M.A.