Emerald Coast Research Associates (ECRA) is a privately owned, multi-therapeutic outpatient research center located within a private practice in Panama City, FL adjacent to Gulf Coast Medical Center. We have a dedicated team taking trials from conception to completion. We strive to provide the highest quality of patient care while diligently providing sponsors with the highest standards of quality data. Our staff offers creative and innovative solutions to patient recruitment, enrollment and retention. Our research staff has extensive experience in clinical trials in the therapeutic areas of pulmonology, gastroenterology, cardiology, genitourinary, infectious disease, interventional cardiology and rheumatology. We utilize a central IRB. ECRA consistently meets and exceeds sponsor enrollment goals.

ECRA Principal Investigators and staff have experience in the following therapeutic areas:

• Acute Coronary Syndrome
• Acute Exacerbation of Chronic Bronchitis
• Asthma
• Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
• Influenza
• Gram Negative Sepsis
• Hypertension
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome
• Oncology
• Overactive Bladder
• Pneumonia
• Rheumatology
• Weight Management
• Ventilator Associated Pneumonia and Nosocomial Pneumonia

ECRA is an outpatient facility located in the heart of Panama City, Florida. We have access to Gulf Coast Hospital Emergency Room, an in house crash cart, Advanced Cardiac Life Support trained personnel and a 24 hour on call pager used exclusively for research.

• ECRA provides monitor areas convenient to DSL, fax machines, phones, and copiers.
• All study medication is maintained using double lock storage.
• On site laboratory equipped with centrifuge, -30° C Freezer, holter monitoring, pulmonary spirometry and an EKG.
• ECRA has access to Ultra Sound, X-Ray, MRI, CT, EGD and colonoscopy testing facilities.
• ECRA provides secure record storage.
• ECRA staff is proficient in serial spirometry, Pharmacokinetic labs and IV infusions.

Timothy G. Moriarty, MD, FCCP
Dr. Moriarty is board certified in Internal Medicine and Pulmonology. Since 1991, Dr. Moriarty has participated in over 59 clinical trials with 21 major sponsors. He has also served as conference lecturer for Pfizer, Beohringer Ingelheim, Abbott, Glaxo Wellcome, and the Bay County Medical Society in the areas of Community Acquired Pneumonia, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Lung Disease, and Asthma.
Dr. Moriarty serves, when appropriate, as sub investigator.

Maciej Tumiel, MD
Dr. Tumiel is board certified in Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology. Dr. Tumiel has served as Principal Investigator of constipation irritable bowel syndrome syndrome trial while working with ECRA. . He is receiving on the job training regarding the Federal Regulations and Good Clinical Practices. Dr. Tumiel's clinical research experience includes trials involving laboratory identification and medical management of Hepatitis C.

Hulon Crayton, MD, SC
Dr. Crayton is board certified in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology. He has participated in clinical trials involving anti-ulcer medications, chronic pain relief and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications. Dr. Crayton has served as guest speaker for Sanofi, Pfizer, Searle, Wyeth-Ayerst, Merck, Ortho Mc Neil, American Heart Association, Arthritis Foundation and Bay County Medical Society in the therapeutic areas of arthritis, non-steroidal therapy, lupus, osteoarthritis, sports injuries, fibromyalgia and pain management.

William Dale Bone, MD
Dr. Bone is board certified in Internal Medicine and Infectious Disease. His research experience is in infectious disease and involves HIV therapy. Dr. Bone served as Principal Investigator for 2 inpatient trials involving ventilator associated pneumonia and nosomial pneumonia while working with ECRA.

Charles E. Mayes, JR, MD
Dr. Mayes is board certified in Internal Medicine and Cardiovascular Disease and is board eligible in Interventional Cardiology. He has recently served as Principal Investigator in a Phase II anticoagulant trial for subjects undergoing elective percutaneous coronary interventions while working with ECRA. Dr. Mayes has participated in several cardiology trials while at Duke University Medical Center in Durham North Carolina.

Carlos H Fernandez, PA-C
Carlos Fernandez, PA-C is licensed in the state of Florida as a Physician Assistant. Mr. Fernandez’s primary practice specializes in Internal Medicine and Urgent Care. Mr. Fernandez began working with Emerald Coast Research Associates in 2008 and serves as a Sub Investigator.

Sidney A Daffin, III, MD
Sidney A Daffin, III, MD is board certified in Internal Medicine. Since 2002 Dr. Daffin has served as Sub Investigator for Emerald Coast Research in the therapeutic areas of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Asthma and Acute Exacerbation of Chronic Bronchitis.

Amanda Pearson Currie, BA, CCRC
Director of Clinical Development
Ms. Currie has 12 years of clinical research experience. She completed The Graduate Training Program in Clinical Investigation at The Schools of Medicine and Public Health at The Johns Hopkins University. During her tenure as a Research Associate at the University of Maryland and as a Research Coordinator at The Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center, she participated in nine studies in the areas of claudication, oncology, and weight management. She has worked as the Panama City Site Director for Tampa Bay Medical Research and as the Director of Clinical Research for The Clinical Research Center of Northwest Florida. Since 2001, she has participated in 38 primarily phase II and III trials in the therapeutic areas of Asthma, COPD, Overactive Bladder, Infectious Disease, Interventional Cardiology and Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

Jessica Elkins, RN, CCRC
Director of Clinical Research
Ms. Elkins graduated from nursing school in 1998. She has experience in emergency care, pediatrics, geriatric care, and most recently inpatient post-operative care. Her clinical hospital experience includes Veteran's Hospital, Children's Hospital, and Cooper Green Hospital, all of Birmingham, Alabama. She was also an employee of Bay Medical Center in Panama City, Florida. Ms. Elkins has worked in clinical research for the past 6 years and participated in 35 primarily phase II and III clinical trials in the therapeutic areas of Asthma, Acute Exacerbation of Chronic Bronchitis, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Infectious Disease, Interventional Cardiology and Overactive Bladder. Prior to joining the ECRA team she served as Research Coordinator for The Clinical Research Center of Northwest Florida. Ms. Elkins received clinical research coordinator certification from ACRP via examination in March 2004.

Cindy Hurley, RN, CCRC
Clinical Research Coordinator
Ms. Hurley has been an employee of ECRA for 5 years and recently made the transition to a full time coordinator. She graduated from nursing school in 1980. Her hospital experience includes Charge Nurse for a GI Unit at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit Michigan and work in an Intensive Care Unit at both St. Joseph Mercy Hospital in Pontiac Michigan and Gulf Coast Hospital in Panama City Florida. Her other clinical experinece includes 6 years in a GYN office in Panama City Florida. In her time with ECRA she has participated in 22 phase II and III trials.. Ms. Hurley received her clinical research coordination via certification from ACRP via examination in March 2008.

ECRA also includes numerous support staff. Our staff is proficient in Remote Data Capture and electronic dairies. ECRA staff are Hazmat certified. Our staff is HIPPA compliant and knowledgeable of ICH guidelines and Good Clinical Practices. ECRA consistently meets and exceeds sponsor enrollment goals. Our staff utilizes a patient database, MD referrals, flyer and brochure distribution, as well as print, radio and TV media for patient recruitment. ECRA has a commitment to community involvement and service. Our Principal Investigators are frequent speakers at community seminars and lectures.

Panama City is located in Bay County which has a population of 150,317.

There are 8 counties surrounding Bay County including Calhoun, Franklin, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson, Liberty, Walton and Washington.

Panama City’s ethnic profile can be divided into 84% Caucasian, 11% African American, 2% Asian, and 3% Hispanic.

ECRA staff members and Principal Investigators have worked with the following sponsors:

• Abbott
• Altana
• Aventis
• Astra Zeneca
• Basilea
• Boehringer Ingelheim
• DuPont Pharmaceuticals
• Forest
• Genentech
• Hoffman LaRoche
• Lederle
• Novartis
• Peninsula
• Pfizer
• Proctor & Gamble
• Sepracor
• SmithKlineBeechham
• TAP Holdings

• Clinical Trial Management Services
• Covance
• ICON
• Omnicare
• Paragon
• Parexel
• PPD Development
• Quintiles, Inc.
• Target
• US Micron

CenterWatch is listing the following trials that are actively recruiting patients at this center.

• A phase 2 B dose ranging research study to evaluate the response eficacy and safety of five doses of an investigational once daily inhaled dry powder compared to placebo in subjects with COPD.
• A phase IIA, dose escalating study to evaluate the safety, tolerability and efficacy of BIO-11006, a nebulized investigational inhalation solution, versus placebo in subjects with COPD suffering from chronic bronchitis. BIO-11006 Inhalation Solution is an investigational therapeutic agent that is being tested for its ability to inhibit mucus secretion and to reduce inflammation.
• A phase IIB research study to assess symptoms in stable to moderate to severe COPD patients taking an investigational drug once daily in combination with Foradil once or twice daily versus Foradil twice daily.
• Current and Former Smokers Wanted

For more information, please contact:

Jessica Elkins, RN, CCRC
Director of Clinical Research
Emerald Coast Research Associates
221 East 23rd Street Suite B
Panama City, FL 32405 USA
Phone: 850-785-6550
Fax: 850-785-6804
E-mail:

If you are interested in contacting this center to discuss placing a clinical trial there, please complete and send the E-mail form below. A representative from the research center will then follow up with you.

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Last updated on September 3, 2008