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Because you trust us with your health and well-being when choosing us as your clinical research team, we want to provide you with the best staff available to make you feel right at home, and offer you support and knowledge whenever you need it. Our staff comes from all walks of life, and are here to answer all of your questions. To take a look at our staff, please rollover their pictures, and let them welcome you into our home here at FPA Clinical Research. |
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Dr. Christopher Chappel, MD
Principal Investigator
Dr. Chappel, a Board Certified Family Practice Physician, has been practicing medicine in Osceola County since 1980. He is the owner and Primary Investigator for FPA Clinical Research, as well as Medical Director of his Specialized Care Team for 5 Nursing Homes. After graduating from Medical School at Indiana University School of Medicine, Dr. Chappel joined the U.S. Navy and completed his Residency at Naval Regional Medical Center in Jacksonville, Fl. He transferred to NARMC in Pensacola, FL to become a clinical instructor in the Department of Family Medicine. In 1982, he left the Navy, relocated in Kissimmee and opened Family Practice Associates, which grew to be an extremely successful medical practice. In 1989 he expanded his practice to include FPA Clinical Research and he has been conducting clinical trials continually since then.
Additionally, Dr.Chappel is a nationally recognized Medical Lecturer; representing several major pharmaceutical companies such as Sarnoff-Aventis, Oscient, Abbott, Glaxo Smith Kline, Atherotech and Novartis. His knowledge and insight into the pharmaceutical field have proven to be extremely beneficial in the research arena, leading many established pharmaceutical companies to seek out FPA Clinical Research for the conduct of their clinical trials.
In addition to being a well respected and sought-after physician, Dr. Chappel is also a very accomplished athlete. He competed nationally in Triathlons for many years and was an All-American Triathlete. He finished the Hawaiian Ironman World Championship Triathlon 6 times. |
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Marcus Merriweather, M.D.
Principal Investigator
Dr. Merriweather is a Family Practice Physician. Dr. Merriweather is from Fitzgerald, Georgia. He completed his undergraduate degree at Oakwood College in Alabama, where he met his wife of four years, Stacey. He later returned to Georgia to complete his Medical Degree at Moorehouse School of Medicine. He completed his residency in Family Practice at Florida Hospital in Orland, FL and served as Chief Resident. Dr. Merriweather has participated at UCF, as well as local high schools as a volunteer physician. He also enjoys playing the piano, guitar, and sports. |
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Keron Ferguson, MD
Sub-Investigator
Dr. Ferguson is a Board Certified Family Practice Physician, who graduated from Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in Piscataway, NJ. She also completed a fellowship in Geriatric Medicine and became Board Certified in Gerontology in January 2008. In addition to being a Sub-Investigator for FPA Clinical Research, she is a member of Specialized Care Team, treating patients in 5 area nursing homes.
Dr. Ferguson is an integral part of the FPA Clinical Research team, working closely with the coordinators and other Investigators for many of the ongoing clinical trials. |
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Todd McCoy, P-AC
Sub-Investigator
Mr. McCoy is an integral part of the FPA Clinical Research team. He is Physicians Assistant who earned his Associate of Health Science degree from Kettering College of Medical Arts in Kettering, Ohio in 1991. After graduating, he relocated to Kissimmee and became a well respected member of the Family Practice Associates team. In addition to treating patients in the office based practice, Mr. McCoy see patients in 5 area nursing homes and is a well versed Sub-Investigator for FPA Clinical Research. His knowledge of Clinical trials is paramount in making him a huge asset to our clinical research team. |
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Mr. Chappel completed his Bachelor of Science in Health Science Education/Health Studies with a minor in Business Administration Cum Laude at the University of Florida in Gainesville. He went on to complete his Masters in Physician Assistant Studies/Physician Assistant . He currently works as a Sub-Investigator for FPA Clinical Research and is an active provider in our practice as well as our nursing homes.
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Sara Albert, R. Ph.
Director Clinical Operations
Mrs. Albert is a Registered Consultant Pharmacist, whose pharmaceutical background includes retail as well as hospital pharmacy. She graduated Cum Laude with a BS in Pharmacy from Florida A & M University College of Pharmacy in Tallahassee. During the time that she was the Director of Pharmacy at Humana Hospital Lucerne, she was the Chairman of the hospital based Investigational Review Board. In addition to being the Director of Pharmacy Services for the Orlando/East Coast Division of Eckerd Drugs, she worked as a pharmacist for Prescriptions Unlimited in St. Cloud. Her varied professional experience and medication knowledge bring much to the FPA Clinical Research team. |
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Mark Weimer
Director Special Projects/Technology Manager
Mr. Mark Weimer is in charge of all FPA Clinical Research Special Projects as well as being the Technology specialists for the facility. He comes to us after 31 years in government as well as private business; with experience in administration, human resources, risk management and fiscal management. He also is highly skilled and sought after as a professional/personal coach and mentor. He has a Bachelor of Science degree in Applied Behavioral Human Science and is a graduate of the FBA National Academy. His vast business experience and knowledge speaks volumes for his value to all of us at FPA Clinical Research. |
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Jose Perez, M.D.
Director Clinical Services/Lead Clinical Research Coordinator
Dr. Perez graduated Cum Laude from Pontificia Universidad Catolica Madre Maestra in Santiago, Dominician Republic. He completed residencies in Internal Medicine, OB/GYN services, Surgery as well as Pediatrics at Hospital Universitapia Jose Maria in Cabral y Baez , Dominican Republic prior to moving to Florida.
Dr. Perez has been conducting clinical research with FPA Clinical Research for the past 3 years, coming to us from Quest Laboratories. His hospital, medical lab and phlebotomy experience have proven to be invaluable in his positions of Director Clinical Services as well as Lead Clinical Research Coordinator. Dr. Perez is bi-lingual, being fluent in English as well as Spanish. |
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Troy Koenig, LPN
Associate Lead Clinical Research Coordinator
Mr. Koenig is a Licensed Practical Nurse who received his degree from Technical Education Center Osceola (TECO) here in Osceola County. During his final semester he was awarded the school’s Clinical Excellence Award. Prior to joining the FPA Clinical Research team, Mr. Koenig worked in Nursing Home Administration as well as Hospital Administration. He has been conducting clinical research for 5 years and has continued to provide quality patient care for all of our research subjects. |
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Esther Santiago, LPN
Clinical Research Coordinator
Mrs. Santiago obtained her Licensed Practical Nursing degree from Orlando Technical College in Orlando FL. She has been an invaluable clinical research coordinator for over 2 years with FPA Clinical Research. She is fluent in both English and Spanish. |
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Clinical Research Coordinator
Dr. Rodriguez began her medical training at the Intramerican University in Cupey, Puerto Rico where she graudated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Pre-Medicine. From there she went on to Medical School and graduated from Pontificia Universidad Catolica Madre y Maestra in Santiago, Dominican Republic. Dr. Rodriguez has been a clinical research coordinator for the past year. Her experience in Family Medicine has positioned her to be a great asset to our research team.
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Clinical Research Coordinator
Brenda Berrios attended the International College of Business and Technology in Hato Rey, Puerto Rico where she completed her Associate of Arts Degree in Business Administration in 1992. She then went on to complete the Medical Assistant program at Florida Technical College located in Orlando, FL in 2007. She complete her internship with FPA Clinical Research where she was hired for a full time position. She has been a valuable employee to FPA Clinical Research providing excellent patient care.
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Michelle Ramirez
Assistant Clinical Research Coordinator
Ms. Ramirez is a Medical Assistant, graduating from Florida Technical College (FTC) in Orlando; FL. Ms. Ramirez came to FPA Clinical Research as an intern thru FTC’s Medical Assistant Intern Program. After completion of her internship, she stayed on as an assistant clinical research coordinator. She is fluent in both English and Spanish. Her sincere approach to patient care makes her an excellent coordinator and a true asset to the FPA Clinical Research team. |
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Adam Chappel
Public Relations Manager
Mr. Chappel completed his Bachelor of Science in Health Science Education/Health Studies from the University of Florida. He interned with FPA Clinical Research where he was hired to be the Public Relations Manager. He continues to work in Public Relations as well as the Operations Manager for Chappel Family Practice.
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Courtney Chappel
Marketing Manager
Ms. Chappel is a graduate of the University of Florida, with a Bachelor of Science degree. She has been with the company for over 2 years and has advanced in the company from patient recruitment coordinator to Marketing Manager. She works closely with the sponsor companies and Clinical Research Organizations to bring our study information out to the community and potential patients. |
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Yaira Rivera
Patient Recruitment Coordinator
Ms. Rivera is our Patient Recruitment Coordinator and came to us with an extensive business background. Previously she was an office manager for a large underground utilities company as well as an administrative assistant for a medical office practice. Currently, in addition to her full time employment responsibilities, Ms. Rivera attends classes at the University of Phoenix. Ms. Rivera is bilingual in English as well as Spanish. |
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Jennifer Graxiena
Data Management Specialist
Ms. Graxiena has 9 years experience in the medical field, with 8 of them being in physician office management. She has been in the clinical research field for 2 years and heads up the Regulatory Department for FPA Clinical Research. Being fluent in English as well as Spanish has been a great benefit to our team. Jennifer is also a Public Notary. |
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Jacqueline Herrera
Assistant Data Management Specialist
Ms. Herrera attended Florida Technical College where she completed the Billing/Coding Program in February of 2008. Ms. Herrera continued her education at Florida Technical College completing her Medical Assistant Program in December of 2008. She performed her internship with FPA Clinical Research and was hired as our Administrative Assistant. Having experience in medical billing/coding as well as medical assisting makes Ms. Herrera an asset to the FPA Clinical Research team.
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