Clinical Research of Charlotte
Clinical Research of Charlotte
Clinical Research of Charlotte employs Clinical Research Coordinators, a Data Entry Coordinator, and a Recruitment Specialist that specialize in quick study start-up, patient recruitment, collecting good quality data and patient retention. We all follow a set of standard operating procedures as well as trial protocols, Good Clinical Practice and HIPAA guidelines to provide a smooth clinical trial process for all involved.
CRC was founded August 2014, is owned by Selwyn Spangenthal, MD and operates under the American Health Research Network. The benefit to the pharmaceutical sponsors is that CRC offers an expedited start-up process by centralizing contract and budget processing at American Health Research. CRC has a quick turn-around time on processing regulatory documents and utilizes a Central IRB.
Our facility includes:
Designated quiet monitoring space
10-15 Private exam rooms for trial volunteers with Cable Television and Wifi access
Standard Operating Procedures
Central IRB capabilities
Copy, Fax, Phone, Internet (wifi) available to monitors
Cardiopulmonary Stress Test with Treadmill or Cycle Ergometer
Overnight Study Capabilities
Pulmonary Function Testing
Local Lab and X Ray Capabilities
Generator Back-up for Power Outages
CPR, IATA, HIPAA and OSHA certified staff
Designated Recruitment and Data Entry Staff
Echocardiograms
Large Patient Database
Close Proximity to Large Local Hospital
Body Plethysmography
Lab with CLIA
Refrigerated Centrifuge
Ambient Centrifuge
Specimen Refrigerators
-20 Degree Freezer
-70 Degree Celsius Freezer
Dry ice access
Locked drug storage
Secured long term storage for research files
Private office for research coordinators
Our Staff
Alyson Helleneck
Clinical Research Coordinator
Alyson joined American Health Research as a Clinical Research Assistant in August of 2018. She graduated from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte with a Bachelor of Science in Public Health and a minor in Gerontology. She enjoys being able to witness drug development first hand for individuals who need it the most. In her free time, Alyson enjoys adventuring around the Charlotte scene, and spending time with her friends, family, and her dogs.
Madison Belton
Clinical Research Coordinator
Madison joined American Health Research in June 2020. She received her Bachelor of Science in Biology from Eastern Carolina University. Through various clinical training and regulatory affairs experience, she discovered a passion for healthcare and helping others. At AHR, she is excited to be a part of the advancement of Healthcare and the development of new therapies. For leisure, Madison enjoys outdoor adventures such as hiking and snowboarding with her fiancé, in addition, loves spending time with her pets, family, and friends.
Our Investigators
Dr. William Ashe
Dr. Ashe was naturally drawn to pediatrics due to children’s honesty, directness, and ability to recover from the most serious conditions. He enjoys the uniqueness of pediatric pulmonary medicine and providing care to a variety of chronic illnesses such as premature lung diseases, cystic fibrosis, and asthma. Dr. Ashe is an advocate for children with debilitating handicaps. Dr. Ashe specializes in pediatric respiratory and allergy diseases and has practiced in the Charlotte region for the past nineteen years. He is co-director of the Western Carolina Cystic Fibrosis Center and Assistant Director of the Holy Angels Institute. He has served on numerous pediatric medical committees and boards and is actively involved in medical education in the community. Dr. Ashe was awarded the Charlotte Top Docs Award in 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2014. He enjoys a number of outdoor activities and is an avid golfer. He and his wife have 3 children.
Dr. Hugh Black
Dr. Black completed his residency in General Pediatrics and a fellowship in Pediatric Pulmonary. He focused on treating children with allergies, asthma, and Cystic Fibrosis. As an adjunct teaching professor for the University of North Carolina School of Medicine, he enjoys teaching local physicians in training and medical students from UNC Chapel Hill. He has been a part of the UNC medical school teaching program in Charlotte for 15 years. Dr. Black has done extensive research on Cystic Fibrosis and is co-director of the Western Carolina Cystic Fibrosis Center. Additionally, he has ongoing participation in asthma related research and is currently active in the Charlotte Pediatric Medical Society. He was awarded the Charlotte Top Docs Award in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014 in pediatric allergy and pediatric pulmonary medicine.In his spare time, Dr. Black spends time with his wife and two children, and he helps in community outreach efforts to shelter homeless families.
Dr. Thomas Humphries
Dr. Humphries was a Morehead Scholar at UNC-Chapel Hill. He is past chairman of the North Carolina Asthma Board and has been active in asthma research. Throughout his career, he has personally evaluated over 25,000 patients with asthma and allergic diseases and earned the 2010 Charlotte Top Docs Award. He is frequently consulted on patients who have chronic asthma and those with severe allergic rhinitis. The father of 6 children, Dr. Humphries enjoys traveling, scuba diving, fishing, and doing projects on his farm.
Dr. Douglas Johnston
Dr. Johnston is a fellow of the ACAAI, AAAAI and a member of the Clinical Immunology Society. He is an Assistant Professor of Internal Medicine/ Allergy & Immunology at the Edward Via School of Osteopathic Medicine in Spartanburg, SC. Dr. Johnston is also a member of the Allergic Skin Disease Committee and is the featured allergist on the Allergy and Asthma Foundation of America’s “Ask the Allergist” website. When not working, he enjoys traveling with his family and cooking.
Dr. Vandana Patel
Dr. Patel became a physician because it fulfills three of her life passions: learning and teaching, serving the community, and creating meaningful human relationships. She enjoys seeing patients of all ages with a wide spectrum of allergic and immune diseases. Her special areas of interest include food allergies, adverse reactions to drugs, allergic rhinitis, and asthma. Dr. Patel is a native of South Williamson, Kentucky. She has been involved in both clinical and basic science research throughout her career. Dr. Patel is a member of American Academy of Asthma, Allergy and Immunology; the American College of Asthma, Allergy and Immunology; the American Medical Association; and the American Academy of Pediatrics. She serves as teaching facility member at Levine Children’s Hospital. Dr. Patel enjoys spending time with her husband and three children, cooking, and reading.