Okanagan Clinical Trials is a medical research company based in Kelowna, B.C. operating since 1992 conducting many different clinical trials for pharmaceutical companies. We have conducted trials on a wide range of disorders including depression, bipolar disorder, panic disorder, social anxiety, general anxiety, premenstrual dysphoria, attention deficit disorder, headaches, obesity, insomnia, diabetes, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Chron’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, post herpetic neuralgia and dyslipidemia. We have recently expanded our facilities and are well equipped to handle a variety of therapeutic areas including psychiatry, general practice, internal medicine, gastroenterology and men’s health. We can accommodate studies on both children and adults.

MISSION STATEMENT:

To achieve excellence in both the conduct of clinical trials for our pharmaceutical industry clients and in the provision of compassionate and ethical care to our patients.

We have been operating since 1992 and have considerable experience conducting clinical trials for the pharmaceutical industry. We have a psychiatric clinic on site, a general practitioner and collaborate with other specialists as necessary. A complete list of our trial experience is available on our website.

We have worked for Pfizer, Lundbeck, Wyeth-Ayerst, Janssen-Ortho, GlaxoSmithKline, Pharmacia, Eli Lilly and Astra Zeneca among others.

We occupy more than 5,000 square feet on the top (third) floor of a modern medical building in the Mission district of Kelowna, BC. There is an elevator and we are completely wheelchair accessible. We have a pharmacy in the building and a self-contained lab facility. We are 5 minutes from the hospital and 10 minutes from center city. The Kelowna International Airport is 20 min away.

Clinics:

Our offices include a psychiatry clinic specializing in mood and anxiety disorders which sees more than 500 new patients a year. Bipolar Disorder and Attention Deficit Disorder are well represented.

Equipment:

• Reception
• Examining rooms
• Interview rooms
• Physician and Coordinator offices
• Work area for CRA
• Locked medication storage, temperature monitored
• Secure binder storage room
• Archival Storage (25 year)
• Fax, copier, scanner, color printer
• Computers with high-speed internet connections
• Remote data entry capable and experienced
• Temperature controlled environment
• Access to dry ice
• Local Lab
• -20° and -80° Celsius freezer
• Centrifuge
• 12 lead EKG(telephonic or standard)
• Imaging available in Kelowna: CT, MRI, Bone Density (Lunar, DPX alpha, dual photon x-ray absorptiometry), mammography

FedEx, Compaq, Purolator, World Courier, DHL, and Marken

IRB:

Central or local

We do not offer inpatient facilities.

Principal Investigator

Paul Latimer has more than 25 years experience in clinical practice, research and administration. After obtaining his medical degree from Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario, he did psychiatric training at Queen's, Oxford and Temple Universities. After his residency he did a doctorate in medical science at McMaster University where he was also a Medical Research Council of Canada Scholar. Since 1983 he has been practicing psychiatry in Kelowna, B.C. where he has held many administrative positions and has done numerous clinical trials. He has published many scientific papers and one book on the psychophysiology of functional bowel disorders. He is an avid photographer, skier and outdoorsman.

Degrees and qualifications:

MD, - Queens University, Kingston, Ontario
PhD, Medical Sciences, - McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario
FRCPC, - Fellowship in Psychiatry

Current Positions:

Psychiatrist, Kelowna, BC
President, Okanagan Clinical Trials
Investigator, Okanagan Clinical Trials
Consulting privileges, Kelowna General Hospital

Previous Professional Experience:

Assistant Professor, McMaster University
Medical Research Council of Canada Scholar
Associate Professor (with tenure), Temple University, PA
Psychiatrist, private practice, Kelowna, BC
Active hospital privileges, Kelowna General Hospital
Chair, Department of Psychiatry, Kelowna General Hospital
Chair of Medical Advisory Committee, Kelowna General Hospital
President of Medical Staff, Kelowna General Hospital
Director of Psychiatric Services, Kelowna General Hospital
Physician Director, Central Okanagan Mental Health Program

Postgraduate Training:

Psychiatry Residency, Queen's University
Doctorate, Medical Science, McMaster University

For information on other investigators with Okanagan Clinical Trials, see our Web site at www.okanaganclinicaltrials.com

Study Coordinators:

Carol Fazekas

Carol is a certified clinical research professional. Carol has 13 years experience as a clinical research assistant and has been involved in all aspects of research coordination during that time. In addition to her broad experience, she has a bachelor's degree in Sociology and is proficient with many software programs and at creating and managing patient databases.

Cherie Oaks

Cherie is a certified clinical research professional. Cherie has several years experience working as a phlebotomist and medical laboratory assistant, specialized skills that are useful in her role as a research coordinator. Her educational background in medical terminology, occupational first aid and comprehensive health care all combine to make her an excellent addition to our team.

Ionut Temciuc

Ionut worked as a physician in Romania where he trained. He was actively involved in clinical research in that country and has chosen to continue pursuing that career in Canada. He will bring his experience and medical background to OCT as part of our team of dedicated research coordinators.

Angela Creighton

Angela has an honours degree in Nutraceutical science and joins the team as an intern with some lab experience and knowledge of clinical trials and product development. Angela will be training to work as a coordinator. While training, she will work in data entry, and assist current coordinators in a variety of areas. Her training will culminate with the SOCRA exam and qualification as a Certified Clinical Research Professional.

Jennifer Robinson

Jennifer has a bachelor of science degree in honours biology and psychology. She has some lab experience and has worked as a medical relief volunteer in Costa Rica and Nicaragua. She joins OCT as a clinical research coordinator intern. While receiving her training, Jennifer will do data entry and participate in ongoing trials by assisting current coordinators in a variety of ways. Her training will culminate with the SOCRA exam and qualification as a Certified Clinical Research Professional.

Public Relations Officer:

Megan Stobbe

Megan is a graduate of the University of Victoria and has experience in the fields of journalism, communications and media relations. She prepares media kits and manages contacts with media following press releases concerning research developments. She also works to promote Okanagan Clinical Trials to the community and the industry.

Receptionist

Erin McCart

Erin is a certified medical office assistant and pharmacy technician with experience at several clinics in the Okanagan. She brings her friendly demeanor, organization and experience to the team at Okanagan Clinical Trials.

Adele Towns

Adele has many years experience working in accounting, finance and as a mortgage broker. She brings her considerable administrative experience to OCT in reception and data entry.

Laboratory Technician

Sheila Cox

Sheila has more than 20 years experience working as a laboratory technician and phlebotomist in a hospital setting. She is a current member of the British Columbia Society of Laboratory Science and brings her expertise in the lab to Okanagan Clinical Trials.

Office Assistant

Meghan Helfrich

Meghan works with OCT part time as an office assistant. She is a university student on her way to becoming a teacher.

Kelowna and suburbs have about 150,000 population. It is mainly a Caucasian population.

We use a central IRB.

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

• Are you persistently sad? Do you lack the energy and motivation to do things you once enjoyed? Do you feel hopeless? You may be suffering from depression. (Kelowna, BC Canada)

For more information, please contact:

Dr. Paul Latimer, CEO
Okanagan Clinical Trials
304-3001 Tutt St
Kelowna, BC V1Y 2H4 Canada
Phone: 250-862-8141
Fax: 250-862-8130
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 August 21, 2008