Chesapeake Urology Research Associates Offer State-of-the-Art Clinical Trials, Advanced Care and Bring New Medications to Market
Patients who come to Chesapeake Urology Associates (CUA) have the unique opportunity to participate in clinical trials that offer advanced treatments which have traditionally been available exclusively in university settings.
Baltimore-based Chesapeake Urology Research Associates (CURA), the clinical research branch, distinguishes CUA from other large single-specialty practices in the region and is rare for a community-based practice, explains Dr. Ronald Tutrone, CURA's director. Dr. Tutrone, who attended Rutgers Medical School and did his residency training at Harvard Medical School, has conducted more than 100 hundred trails during his career and is highly respected in the Baltimore area for his work.
"Clinical trials provide our physicians with cutting-edge technology and drug treatments not normally available in the community. We can give our patients access to treatments before they are even FDA approved," he explains.
The CURA team is conveniently located in a network of seven CUA offices in the greater Baltimore area, offering patients access to trials for conditions that vary from prostate cancer to overactive bladder. Those offices are located at the Greater Baltimore Medical Center's campus/Baltimore, Bellona Avenue/Towson, St. Joseph Medical Center/Towson, Glen Burnie, Owings Mills, and Franklin Square Hospital's campus/Bel Air.
In addition to Dr. Tutrone, the other physician leader of CURA is Dr. David Gordon, director of Voiding Dysfunction Research and director of Chesapeake Urology's Continence Center. His background includes seven years as a clinical investigator at the University of Pennsylvania, in addition to being an NIH fellow there.
CURA also has six highly experienced research coordinators and a seasoned administrator. The entire staff has the passion and commitment for the detail work necessary to follow complex research protocols and meticulously support the patients who opt for them. Patient participation in trials can vary in length from 12 weeks to as long as 5 years.
"We can be selective in the trials we do because we have the reputation and the patient population to offer the best," explains Dottie Richardson, CCRC, research coordinator, who helps open new trials. "Pharmaceutical companies are impressed with Dr. Tutrone's research experience and the magnitude of Chesapeake Urology's practice. For example, we recently began a BPH trial at our Bel Air location through a new international company."
Dr. Gordon, who often pioneers new applications for medications, leads trials involving "new drugs for urinary urgency and for pelvic and bladder plan, as well as devices that provide nerve stimulation for pelvic and bladder pain. We're doing exciting Chesapeake - initiated research to help women who get up frequently at night with urinary and bed-wetting problems," he says.
CURA offers many attributes for conducting clinical research, and for this reason, the number of trials available to patients is growing quickly. "We have the staff, the space, the tools and the patient population to support trials. Our database contains thousands of patients with varying conditions who can potentially benefit from trials," says Heather Thomas, CCRC, research administrator, who has worked on more than 70 clinical trials since she joined Dr. Tutrone's practice in 1993.
Chesapeake Urology's physicians are excellent at referring appropriate patients for trials. Additionally, CURA mails educational information to patients to keep them informed about opportunities. Clinical research coordinators are meticulous about screening patients for eligibility.
Each protocol varies and patient visits can range from fifteen minutes to more than 12 hours, explains Angie Somers, CRC, research coordinator.
"It's a wonderful accomplishment to see the whole process of the trial through," explains Debi Robertson, CRC, research coordinator, who is presently working on a five year Bioniche bladder cancer trial. Debi has national experience in conducting trials, having worked in several states in the U.S.
Trial participants are closely monitored, resulting in better patient self-awareness and management of their illnesses. "They receive extra treatment and have a better understanding of their disease and symptoms through the trials," says Virginia Michaels, CRC, research coordinator. "The patients are happy to come here, and we're happy to treat them."
"We enjoy offering new options to patients. Our absolute teamwork and respect for each other contribute to our goals," says Mary O'Connor, CCRC, research coordinator.
In addition, once work on a trial is complete, "it give us satisfaction to see a TV commercial for a medication and know that we worked on that and that it's now available to many patients who will derive its benefits," says Mary.