Denise Angst, PhD, RN
Director
Since 1992, Dr. Denise Angst has provided leadership and support for pediatric research activities within the Advocate system. As the director of the Advocate Center for Pediatric Research, Dr. Angst is responsible for the administration and oversight of pediatric clinical trials and other pediatric research conducted at Advocate's Children's Hospitals (Park Ridge and Oak Lawn). Dr. Angst also works closely with investigators and research staff to provide education and mentoring related to research design, methods and analyses. She directs regular research educational sessions and leads activities for the annual "Achieving Excellence in Clinical Research Conference" that is organized by the Advocate Center for Pediatric Research. Dr. Angst is also a member and a vice-chair of the Advocate Health Care IRB, and serves on various system and hospital committees related to research within Advocate.

Dr. Angst received an undergraduate degree in Biology from the University of Illinois and then attended Rush University where she received her doctorate in nursing in 1992. In addition to her involvement in research oversight and administration, Dr. Angst has been involved in a wide variety of research related to children and families for over 20 years. She has many publications related to children and families, co-edited the textbook "Psychosocial Aspects of Cystic Fibrosis" and is a member of the CF Foundation's Clinical Research Committee. Her own recent research interests include the impact of chronic conditions on children and families, illness management and compliance, and family decision making around pediatric clinical trials. Dr. Angst is also an Assistant Research Professor at the University of Illinois at Chicago, College of Nursing.
 

Rina DiMaso, CRA, CCRC
Clinical Research Associate, Pediatric Oncology
Advocate Children's Hospital - Park Ridge
As the research coordinator for the Children's Oncology Group (COG) Center at Advocate  Children's Hospital, Rina is responsible for all COG research protocols in this division. She is involved in the initiation and ongoing administration of COG clinical trials, registers and enrolls eligible subjects who are interested in participation, and performs and coordinates necessary data collection and data management. Rina is a certified clinical research coordinators (CCRC) and member of the Association of Clinical Research Professionals (ACRP).

Back to the top

Ramona Donovan, MS, RD, CCRC
Research Coordinator, Neonatology / NICU
Advocate Children's Hospital - Park Ridge
As one of 2 research coordinators within the Division of Neonatology, Ramona is involved in the coordination of both externally sponsored clinical trials and investigator-initiated research within the division. She is involved in the initiation and ongoing administration of NICU clinical trials, assists in subject recruitment and enrollment, and performs and coordinates necessary data collection and data management. For investigator initiated studies, she assists with study start-up activities, data collection and/or data entry, data analysis, and the preparation of grant applications, abstracts and manuscripts. Ramona is a certified clinical research coordinators (CCRC) and member of the Association of Clinical Research Professionals (ACRP).

Emily Hadley, MS, RN
Special Projects Coordinator
As the Special Projects Coordinator within the Advocate Center for Pediatric Research, Emily is responsible for managing and conducting important special projects within the Center. This includes working with the Director on special assignments, creating and executing new initiatives, and developing and managing Advocate Center for Pediatric Research communication systems (e.g., ACPR website). 

Bonnie Hughes, RN, BSN, CCRC
Research Coordinator, Pediatric Cardiology, THIC
Advocate Children's Hospital - Oak Lawn
As a research coordinator for The Heart Institute for Children (THIC), Bonnie is involved in the coordination of cardiology clinical trials for both children and adults. She is involved in the initiation and ongoing administration of cardiology clinical trials, assists in subject recruitment and enrollment, and performs and coordinates necessary data collection and data management. Bonnie is a certified clinical research coordinators (CCRC) and member of the Association of Clinical Research Professionals (ACRP).

Back to the top

Sandy Maki, MAT, CCRP
Manager, Research Operations
As a manager within the Advocate Center for Pediatric Research, Sandy works with investigators and staff at both Advocate Children's Hospitals, as well as external sponsors. She is the central contact for these individuals when they are interested in starting or placing a new study. Sandy is responsible for start-up procedures, including document preparations (e.g., IRB submissions and regulatory documents), budgets, and contracts. Sandy is also the primary contact for Advocate Center for Pediatric Research's annual conference, "Achieving Excellence in Clinical Research" which is held each fall and brings in experts from around the country to talk about important areas related to clinical research. Sandy is a certified research professional and member of the Society of Clinical Research Associates (SoCRA). 

Suellen G. Moen, RN, BSN, CCRC
Research Coordinator, Cystic Fibrosis Center
Advocate Children's Hospital - Park Ridge
As a research coordinator for the CF Center, Suellen is involved in the coordination of cystic fibrosis clinical trials for both children and adults. She is involved in the initiation and ongoing administration of cystic fibrosis clinical trials, assists in subject recruitment and enrollment, and performs and coordinates necessary data collection and data management. Suellen is a certified clinical research coordinators (CCRC) and member of the Association of Clinical Research Professionals (ACRP).

Mary Murray, RN, BSN
Research Coordinator, Pediatric Gastroenterology, Immunology and Pulmonology
Advocate Children's Hospital - Oak Lawn
As a research coordinator in Pediatric GI, Immunology and Pulmonology, Mary is involved in the coordination of clinical trials, quality improvement initiatives, and other related activities. She assists with study start-up, subject recruitment and enrollment, and performs and coordinates necessary data collection and data management.

Lorene Schweig, RN, BSN, CCRC
Research Coordinator, Neonatology / NICU
Advocate Children's Hospital - Park Ridge 
As one of 2 research coordinators within the Division of Neonatology, Lorene is involved in the coordination of both externally sponsored clinical trials and investigator-initiated research within the division. She is involved in the initiation and ongoing administration of NICU clinical trials, assists in subject recruitment and enrollment, and performs and coordinates necessary data collection and data management. For investigator initiated studies, she assists with study start-up activities, data collection and/or data entry, data analysis, and the preparation of grant applications, abstracts and manuscripts. Lorene is a certified clinical research coordinators (CCRC) and member of the Association of Clinical Research Professionals (ACRP).

Jane Suszek, M.A., CCRP
Clinical Research Coordinator, Pediatric Oncology
Advocate Children's Hospital - Oak Lawn  
As the research coordinator for the Children's Oncology Group (COG) Center at Advocate  Children's Hospital, Jane is responsible for all COG research protocols in this division. She is involved in the initiation and ongoing administration of COG clinical trials, registers and enrolls eligible subjects who are interested in participation, and performs and coordinates necessary data collection and data management. Jane is also the research coordinator for any industry-sponsored studies in the Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology at Children's. Jane is a certified research professional and member of the Society of Clinical Research Associates (SoCRA). 

Back to the top