Lauren Bainter RT(R), CCRC is the Investigational Site Manager at Prairie Education and Research Cooperative.  Lauren earned an Associate in Applied Science-Radiology from Lincoln Land Community College and earned her Certified Clinical Research Coordinator certification in 2016.  She is involved in assisting new employees with orientation and managing study coordinators. Lauren has 8 years of clinical research experience, starting as a Study Coordinator, Research Facilitator, and now Investigational Site Manager. Lauren has experience in a multitude of trials including coronary stenting, peripheral, biological, electrophysiology, and LV dysfunction.  She also has experience with study start-up, contract and budget negotiations, and complete study follow through.

Contact Information:

Phone: (217)492-9115

Email: [email protected]

 

Mary Dukett is a study coordinator at the Prairie Education and Research Cooperative/ Central Illinois Diabetes and Clinical Research. Mary earned a diploma in nursing at the Memorial Hospital School of nursing in Springfield IL. She currently holds an Illinois Registered Professional Nurse license. Mary’s  has over 28 years experience in clinical research. She has experience in  a multitude of clinical trials including diabetes, cardiac outcome trials, growth hormone, diabetes complications, lipids, hypertension, weight loss and device trials.

Contact Information:

Phone: (217)546-2064

Email: [email protected]

Melissa McHugh, MS, CCRP, is a Clinical Research Coordinator at Prairie Education and Research Cooperative. Melissa earned an Associate of Science Degree in Physics at Lincoln Land Community College, a Bachelor of Science Degree in Physics at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and a Master of Science Degree in Biomedical Informatics at the University of Chicago. In April of 2016, Melissa earned her CCRP certification. Melissa’s experience most recently includes over 5 years in oncology clinical trial research at the University of Chicago. Melissa currently works in cardiology research involving structural heart, carotid and peripheral stenting, cardiac electrophysiology, and heart failure studies.

Contact Information:

Phone: (217)492-9100 ext. 29110

Email: [email protected]

Stephanie Hudson RT(R) is a Clinical Research Coordinator at Prairie Education and Research Cooperative.  Stephanie earned an Associate in Applied Sciences-Radiology from Lincoln Land Community College.  Stephanie is registered with the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists as well as in Medical Radiation Technology through the state of Illinois.  Stephanie’s experience most recently includes over 3 years in cardiac catheterization and electrophysiology as a Special Procedures Tech II.  Stephanie has experience in a multitude of trials including coronary, peripheral, carotid stenting and structural heart.

Contact Information:

Phone: (217)492-9100 ext. 29151

Email: [email protected]

Michelle Williamson, RN, BSN, is a research coordinator at Prairie Education and Research Cooperative. Michelle earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing from Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville, and currently holds an Illinois Registered Professional Nurse License. Michelle’s experience includes 5 years coordinating cardiac research with a recent focus around diabetes research. In addition to research experience, Michelle has an extensive background in cardiac/device nursing and pharmaceutical sales.

Contact Information:

Phone: (217)492-9100 

Email: [email protected]

Alexandra Almasov, RN, BA, is a research coordinator at Prairie Education and Research Cooperative. Alexandra earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology from the University of Texas at Austin. Additionally, Alexandra earned her Associates Degree in Nursing from Parkland College and currently holds an Illinois Registered Professional Nurse License. Alexandra’s experience includes coordinating ophthalmology research and Phase I clinical trials with a recent focus around diabetes research.  

Contact Information:

Phone: (217)492-9100 

Email: [email protected]

Chaille Karl, RN BSN, is a Clinical Research Coordinator at Prairie Education and Research Cooperative. Chaille earned a BSN from University of Illinois at Chicago, an ADN Degree from Lincoln Land Community College, and currently holds an Illinois Registered Nurse License.  She has experiences as an acute surgical, oncology, and neurology nurse.  Her most recent research experience focuses on diabetes clinical trials. 

Contact Information:

Phone: (217)546-2064 

Email:[email protected]

Michael Diefenback is a Research Specialist  at Prairie Education and Research Cooperative. Michael earned his LPN from CASPN in 2005. Michael’s experience most recently includes  Phase III and IV cardiovascular drug and device trials, from start up to patient follow up visits, involving coronary stents, carotid stents, heart failure, peripheral vascular disease, and renal denervation.

Contact Information:

Phone: (217)492-9100 ext 29122

Email: [email protected]

Beth Corbett B.A., RT(R)  is a Clinical Research Coordinator at Prairie Education and Research Cooperative. Beth earned an associates in  Applied Science-Radiography from Olney Central College. Beth is registered with the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists as well as in Medical Radiation Technology through the state of Illinois. Beth also earned a bachelor’s degree from Benedictine University in Organizational Leadership. Beth was employed for over 23 years as a radiologic technologist specializing in Fluoroscopy and pediatric fluoroscopy. Beth has recently worked on study start-up, peripheral, coronary, and EP trials.

Contact Information:

Phone: (217)492-9100 ext 29123

Email: [email protected]

Tara L. Rosen RN, BSN recently joined Prairie Education & Research Cooperative (PERC) as a Clinical Research Coordinator.  She has been an employee for the Hospital Sisters Health System for the past 14 years where she began her nursing career.  Her past experiences have been in Med Surg, Emergency Room, Hospice, and Surgical Nursing.  She received her Associates Degree in Nursing from Kaskaskia College in 2009 and completed her BSN through Chamberlain University in 2018. Prior to nursing school, she served active duty in the U.S. Army.  She is married and has one child.  In her spare time, she loves to spend time with family, enjoys staying physically active through exercise and loves shopping.  She chose this position with vision for an opportunity to learn new ways to improve a patient’s quality of life through innovation, research, and educational opportunities.

Contact Information:

Phone: (618)233-6044 ext 24540

Email: [email protected]

Jo Ellen Eldridge, MLT (ASCP) is a Research Specialist at Prairie Education and Research Cooperative.  Jo Ellen earned her Associate of Science Degree from Rend Lake College and currently holds her Certification with the American Society of Clinical Pathology.  She brings to PERC 15 years of clinical laboratory experience.  Her involvement in cardiovascular research includes more than 5 years of direct patient contact, including with patient consent process and trial coordination.  Additionally, Jo Ellen does data abstraction on several different projects and serves as the Research Program Coordinator for HSHS St. John’s Hospital.

Contact Information:

Phone: (217)492-9100 ext. 29117

Email: [email protected]

Megan Kaler, RN, is a Clinical Research Coordinator at Prairie Education and Research Cooperative at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in O’Fallon, Illinois.  Megan earned an Associate Degree in Nursing from Southwestern Illinois College in 2015.  She began her nursing career at St. Louis University working in various roles, including trauma, transplant ICU, and charge nurse.  For the past three years, she has been working in the cardiac cath lab at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital.  Megan assisted with procedures including cardiac caths, pacemaker implants, and structural heart procedures.  Megan is married with two children.  In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, but most of her free time is spent at the softball field cheering on her daughter.   

Contact Information:

Phone: (618)233-6044 ext. 24545

Email: [email protected]

Abby Welker is a Clinical Research Specialist at Prairie Education and Research Cooperative in Springfield, Illinois.  Abby earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in Biomedical Science from Western Illinois University in 2018.  For the past year, she has been working in pre-clinical pharmaceutical toxicology research studies.  Abby is from a small in Illinois and has two dogs, a yellow and a chocolate lab.  She enjoys traveling, trying new restaurants, reading, and numerous outdoor activities.  Abby is excited to learn and engage in medical device and pharmaceutical studies at PERC.

Contact Information:

Phone: (217)492-9100 ext. 29113

Email: [email protected]

Jennifer Wrigley Cernich, RN, is a research coordinator at Prairie Education and Research Cooperative. Jennifer earned an MBA from Western Illinois University, an ADN Degree from Lincoln Land Community College and currently holds an Illinois Registered Nurse License.  She has experiences as an acute surgical and neurology nurse and as a nurse educator.  Her research experience focuses on diabetes clinical trials.

Contact Information:

Phone: (217)546-2064 ext. 43182

Email: [email protected]