{ Early Clinical Research Team }
When you choose DaVita Clinical Research (DCR) for your Phase I-IIb study, you are selecting the early clinical research leader specializing in renal and specialty populations/procedures. Working seamlessly together, the core leadership team, comprising the following individuals, is responsible for ensuring that your study has access to the necessary resources and supervision for success. All team members have been with DCR for a minimum of four years, while senior management has over 30 years of dedicated clinical research experience.
Harry Alcorn, Jr., PharmD
Chief Scientific Officer
As chief scientific officer at DaVita Clinical Research, Dr. Alcorn is responsible for clinical research operations, including site management of the Early Clinical Research (Phase I-IIb) unit, where he is responsible for all clinical operations in accordance with local, state, and federal guidelines. Additionally, he directs all critical decision making and is responsible for the measurement/analysis of test results. Dr. Alcorn designed and created the U.S. Renal Network, the first network of Phase I renal research sites in the U.S. He also developed DCR’s site management organization (SMO) for clinical trials; today, DCR’s clinical network comprises over 120 physicians at over 180 sites. Prior to joining DaVita Clinical Research, Dr. Alcorn was director of clinical programs for GalaGen, Inc., and vice president of clinical programs/marketing at In Home Health, Inc. Dr. Alcorn is a clinical assistant professor at Virginia Commonwealth University School of Pharmacy and is on the adjunct clinical faculty at the University of Colorado, the University of Minnesota, Creighton University, and the University of Nebraska Medical Center. He received his undergraduate degree in pharmacy from Creighton University and his doctor of pharmacy from the University of Nebraska Medical Center.
Suzanne K. Swan, MD
Medical Director
As DaVita Clinical Research’s medical director, Dr. Swan serves as one of the eight primary investigators for Phase I-IIb studies. In addition, she is responsible for design, development, and review of protocols, monitoring clinical trials, evaluating safety data involving INDs/NDAs, and managing the clinical research team members. Dr. Swan maintains close relationships and ensures alignment with quality assurance, regulatory affairs, data management, legal, and safety. A triple-board certified physician, clinical professor in the College of Pharmacy and professor of internal medicine at the University of Minnesota, co-editor of the American Journal of Kidney Diseases, she is a well-known and widely published expert on renal topics. Following her internship and residency, Dr. Swan received a nephrology fellowship at Oregon Health Sciences University, as well as research fellowships from the National Kidney Foundation and a clinical pharmacology fellowship from Indiana University Medical Center. Her major research interests include drug-dosing and prescribing in patients with renal failure and the pharmacokinetics of new pharmacologic agents in patients with impaired renal function. Dr. Swan received her medical degree from Northeast Ohio University College of Medicine.
Courtney Cannon, MS, PA-C, CCTI
Clinical Investigator
Serving in both principal investigator and sub-investigator capacities and focused on research in renal pharmacokinetics, Courtney Cannon is a certified physician assistant (PA-C) with the Early Clinical Research team at DaVita Clinical Research. As a certified clinical trials investigator (CCTI), Cannon’s responsibilities span the clinical and medical oversight of volunteers in Phase I-IIb research studies; she personally reviews the informed consent with each volunteer, performs medical histories and physical examinations, and assesses any potential adverse events. She also writes and reviews protocols for sponsors and assists in the daily supervision of floor staff for protocol compliance. Prior to joining DCR, Cannon worked at the nephrology clinic at Hennepin Faculty Associations and as a nursing assistant and trainer at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. Cannon received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Iowa and her Master of Science in physician assistant studies from Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science.
Frank Terschan, CCRC
Study Coordinator
Certified through the Association of Clinical Research Professionals (ACRP) as a clinical research coordinator (CCRC), Frank Terschan is a study coordinator for the Early Clinical Research Team at DaVita Clinical Research. He manages each study to ensure that ICH/GCP guidelines are being met and the study requirements are being performed correctly; as part of this responsibility, he trains the staff in guidelines and procedures. Terschan also creates study specific source documents and manages communications with sponsors and principal investigators. Prior to his post as study coordinator, Terschan was a research assistant with DaVita Clinical Research, and he worked as the health unit coordinator at the University of Wisconsin Health Dialysis Unit. Terschan received his Bachelor of Science in biology from the University of Wisconsin – Madison.
Jennifer Bookey, CCRC
Study Coordinator
With over fourteen years of clinical experience with dialysis patients, Jennifer Bookey leverages her expertise as a study coordinator with the Early Clinical Research Team. As a study coordinator, she is the primary contact for the trial sponsor. Responsible for the creation of source documents, Bookey has actively participated in over 300 Phase I studies and has extensive experience with end stage renal disease and diabetes studies, as well as healthy volunteer protocols. Jennifer currently holds ACRP certification as a clinical research coordinator (CCRC).
