DATA POINTS
News You Can Use From the MGH General Clinical Research Center
May/June, 2008
DATA POINTS provides a forum to share GCRC departmental updates, unit news, and staff profiles. We invite
readers to submit items of interest for future publications! Send your news, announcements and ideas to
asaltzman@partners.org.
Glad Lab
Lab Technician David Omoregie-Edewi has been the GCRC unit’s
processing expert for 6 years and always maintains the highest level of
processing accuracy. David has a BS in Biology from the University of
Benin in Nigeria, a Certificate in Biomedical and Laboratory Sciences from
Boston University, as well as 12 years of lab experience. David is
responsible for the operations and smooth functioning of the lab, including
processing, materials, communications, equipment calibration and
maintenance, as well as specimen management.
David also protects the safety of all who use the lab, and can issue
disposable lab coats and arrange for personal protective devices for those
who may need to handle specimens. He ensures that these specimens are
stored accurately, and expedites the transfer of aging samples to their
proper owners to maintain safe freezer space.
The GCRC has recently made new investments to help David accurately
process specimens and maintain their integrity. An electronic security
swipe pad has been installed that records access to the lab to better track
problems such as missing samples or compromised equipment. The lab
has also obtained with a new refrigerator freezer that will maintain
specimens for greater reliability.
David can be reached by phone at 6-3294, Monday through Friday from 9am to 2pm, and on Saturdays from 9am to
noon, or, email him at domoregieedeui@partners.org. -Submitted by Gerry Cronin, GCRC Operations Coordinator
Coming Soon to Blockbuster: New RSA Subject Video, “Bionutrition Procedures”
(Director’s Cut)
The Research Subject Advocate Program is pleased to introduce two new videos designed specifically for GCRC research
participants who may be undergoing Bionutrition procedures. These videos illustrate the basic steps involved in:
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DXA scans
Food records
Weighed diets and fasting
Metabolic Cart tests
Body Measurements
GCRC Dietitian Jane Hubbard, MS, RD, LDN working with a research subject, demonstrates and explains each activity.
These visual tools may be particularly useful to pediatric and adolescent subjects, subjects for whom English is a second
language, and subjects who lack basic literacy skills. The videos can be viewed from any computer with internet
access. Links to the videos are posted on the MGH GCRC website at:
http://www.mgh.harvard.edu/gcrc/gcrc_patients.htm. Please feel free to provide these links to prospective and
enrolled subjects to view from home. -Submitted by Andrea Saltzman, RN, Research Subject Advocate
ServSafe Certified!
In March, after successfully demonstrating their comprehensive food safety knowledge,
several members of the GCRC Bionutrition staff received ServSafe certification. ServSafe
is a nationally recognized accreditation body that tests understanding of basic food service
principles. Test topics include hygiene, food temperature control, cross-contamination,
and appropriate use of food preparation areas. Understanding these issues and adhering
to food safety guidelines minimizes the risks of food-borne illnesses. Congratulations to
Maryellen Foley, Leigh Keating, MS, RD, LDN, Jane Hubbard, MS, RD, LDN, Tara Minaker,
RD, LDN, and Ellen Anderson, MS, RD, LDN. The team looks forward to Tara’s future
certification as a ServSafe instructor and proctor. - Submitted by Ellen J. Anderson, MS,
RD, LDN Bionutrition Research Manager
SPOTLIGHT ON…
Andrew Dwyer, NP, Reproductive Endocrine since 2000
My name is Andrew Dwyer, I am a graduate of Cornell University and the MGH
Institute of Health Professions where I combined my training as a Nurse Practitioner
with advanced study in the Clinical Investigation program. I have been with the
Reproductive Endocrine Unit for nearly 8 years and have been working with 5
investigators on over a dozen GCRC studies, many of which are ongoing (including
the “grandfather” of the GCRC - SPID # 024!). Our translational research approach
is focused on exploring the genes which control puberty and reproduction in the
human using the disease model of idiopathic hypogonadotropic hypogonadism
(IHH). Our studies involve gene discovery, diagnosis, and treatment of patients
with IHH from around the country as well as internationally. My role is to supervise
a number of study coordinators and oversee the day-to-day operations of our busy
research program. Something you may not know about Andrew: Before I
entered my graduate nursing studies I was a preschool teacher.
Amelia Henley, GCRC Scheduler since January, 2008
I’ve been with the GCRC since January of 2008. Before coming to the GCRC, I worked
as a scheduler for 150 nurses and CNAs at the Radius Specialty Hospital in Boston.
As Scheduler for the GCRC, I book appointments for research subjects after
coordinators have submitted requests through Turbo. I also meet and greet subjects
and answer phones. I enjoy welcoming people to the GCRC and helping them to feel
comfortable. The best part of working on the GCRC so far has been working with the
staff here. Everyone has made me feel so comfortable, especially Gerry Cronin, Kathy
Hall, Lue Davis and Kashawna Harling. Something you may not know about
Amelia: Amelia loves to dance. Ask her for a spin around the GCRC the next time
you see her.
Reminder from GCRC Administration: Doctors Orders
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For each GCRC-approved revision to a protocol’s Doctors Orders, please email the complete set (even if only one
visit was changed) to Faith Fortune, GCRC Administrative Coordinator.
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Make sure you supply a “Detailed Paragraph” describing the changes.
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If orders were changed as the result of an IRB amendment, please provide the amendment number. If the changes
are not associated with an amendment, then indicate “No Amendment #”.
Submitted by Edwin Andrews, GCRC Administrative Manager
GCRC Fares Well At Children’s Fair
The weather was cold and rainy but the sun was shining on the GCRC booth at the MGH Children’s Fair, held on Friday,
May 2. The GCRC was well represented as staff brought their own kids to help out. Representatives from Nursing,
Bionutrition and RSA staffed the booth, distributed literature and fielded questions from inquiring young minds. Thank
you to June McMorrow, Jane and Savannah Hubbard, Andrea and Eli Saltzman, and Debi Dunkless for a great job.
Submitted by the RSA office
Check It Out!
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Spring is graduation season, and we take great pleasure in congratulating:
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GCRC CNS Karen Hopcia, NP, for successfully defending her PhD thesis in Occupational Health from the Harvard
School of Public Health.
GCRC Nurse, Kathy Habeeb, RN on receiving her Master of Science in Nursing from Salem State College.
GCRC researcher, Sarah Looby, NP, of the Program in Nutritional Metabolism, for receiving her PhD in
Nursing from Boston College.
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Congratulations also to Anna Triofanova and Jen Page for their dietetic internship placements at University of
California, San Francisco, and Brigham and Women’s Hospital, respectively.
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A warm welcome to Donna Slicis, MS, ANP-BC, who is joining the GCRC nursing staff. Donna will be working 20
hours per week as a Nurse Practitioner. She is a longstanding MGH RN/NP, with her most recent experience being
in the Pre-Admission Testing Area.