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Clinical Trials and Research Staff

Adult Research

Email: advocateresearch@advocatehealth.com

Mary Ann Clemens, EdD, Vice-President, Medical Education and Research
Throughout her career in medical education, Dr. Clemens has managed research infrastructures for an academic institution, medical specialty organization, and a large city department of health. Responsibilities included oversight for all aspects of federal grants, sponsored clinical trials, and investigator-initiated research in both medical and environmental research. Currently, Dr. Clemens manages the efforts of the staff in the centralized research office that serves as a single point of contact through which to develop multiple sites, facilitate collection of data, and expedite the completion of protocols. As a volunteer, she serves on the Institution Review Board of a major university in Chicago. Her post-doctoral studies at Rush University Medical School in Chicago are in Health Care Ethics and at the Jungian Institute, Jungian Studies in Psychology.

Christopher L. Blair, BS, Director of Research Services
Since November 2003, Christopher Blair, BS (University of Illinois - Urbana-Champaign, 1997) has held the title of System Research Consultant at Advocate Health Care. Prior to coming to AHC, Mr. Blair conducted research at The University of Chicago in the Department of Surgery, Section of Otorhinolaryngology. He worked with this research group for three years directing many aspects of the lab within various clinical and basic research projects, including a role as lead researcher on a large NIH grant. Mr. Blair then worked for Kendle International Inc. for one year as a Clinical Data Associate (CDA) where he furthered his understanding of the clinical management and more specifically the varying needs of pharmaceutical companies. Thereafter Mr. Blair returned to the Otorhinolaryngology research group at The University of Chicago and had oversight of numerous experiments and projects. He also mentored residents during their two year research requirement. Mr. Blair also taught international fellows in order that they could begin research programs in their home nations. He was again the primary research on an NIH grant along with industry sponsored trials. Throughout Mr. Blair's career he has had the opportunity to design, implement, analyze, write-up, and present at national conferences. Currently Mr. Blair continues his career in research at Advocate Health Care where he works for the Director of Clinical Trials. In this role, Mr. Blair uses his experience to aid in the budget and contract preparation and negotiation for clinical trials. He also assists attendings, residents, and nurses in designing, implementing, analyzing, and presenting their own research questions.

Nancy E. Davis, MA, Director of Research Services
Ms. Davis attained a master's degree in clinical psychology and is a licensed professional counselor. For the past 10 years, Ms. Davis has promoted and supported enhancement of Advocate Health Care resident and faculty research and education skills and activities to ultimately improve the quality of patient care. In that capacity she provides research consultation and education to attending, resident and fellow physicians in multiple clinical areas. She has over 15 years of applied experience in a wide-range of clinical research activities, including project design and methodology, database design, data collection and management, and data analysis. Ms. Davis developed the curriculum and performed as faculty for the Advocate Research Elective, a comprehensive research-training course for physicians and healthcare professionals. In May 2005 she completed the clinical trials management certification program at the University of Chicago. Ms. Davis has several publications in diverse areas and has lectured on those topics.