Dr. Robert Spitz, a board certified Obstetrician/Gynecologist serves as Medical Director of Coastal Connecticut Research LLC. He is a life-long resident of southeastern Connecticut, with a B.A. degree from Dartmouth College, an M.D. degree from Boston University, and residency training in obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Rochester. With over 20 years of clinical experience, Dr. Spitz now focuses his practice on gynecology and health care research. Since 1993, Dr. Spitz has conducted clinical trials in both the pharmaceutical and medical device industries, and he has been awarded two U.S. Patents for devices for correction of urinary incontinence.

Dr. Timothy M. Barczak is a board-certified Obstetrician/Gynecologist in a solo private Gynecology practice since 2005 and was in a group private practice in Obstetrics and Gynecology for 21 years prior to. He received his B.A. from the University of Detroit, earned his M.D. from Tufts University School of Medicine and was chief resident of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Rochester Strong Memorial Hospital in 1982 and 1983. Dr. Barczak acts as Dr. Spitz’s covering doctor for both his private and clinical research practices. Dr. Barczak has been a sub-investigator for Coastal Connecticut Research since 2005.

Dr. Edward J. McDermott was board-certified in Internal Medicine
in 1985, and Board Re-Certified in 2006. He has been in private practice since 1981. He received his M.D. from the Manila Central University College of Medicine, Philippines. Dr. McDermott was selected by the New London County Medical Association as “Outstanding Physician of the Year”. He has been a Senior Attending Physician at Lawrence & Memorial Hospital in New London since 2000 and is the Medical Director of Fairview Nursing Home in Groton. Dr. McDermott was a former instructor for the Yale School of Nursing. Dr. McDermott joined Coastal Connecticut Research in 2008, his research interest’s centers on Internal Medicine in all phases. He has been selected to be a Principal Investigator in a new fibromyalgia and several upcoming trials relating to diabetes.

Alyce Huston Hemstreet, CS, APRN is a Psychiatric Clinical Nurse Specialist specializing in women’s health issues, including sexual dysfunction, eating disorders, depression, anxiety disorders and pain management. Ms. Hemstreet has published extensively on various topics within the field of psychiatry, and is co-editor of the book, Variations on a Theme, Diversity and the Psychology of Women. Ms. Hemstreet maintains a private psychiatric practice and works as an advanced practice clinician with the Department of Psychiatry at Lawrence & Memorial Hospital in New London, CT. Ms. Hemstreet has also worked with a major pharmaceutical company in developing and monitoring sexual dysfunction interviews used as screening criteria for clinical trials.

Merrilyn Harden McNatt, APRN, is a board-certified Nurse Practitioner. After graduating from the Medical College of Georgia with a BS in nursing, she certified as a childbirth educator and in 1985 became one of Connecticut’s first three international board certified lactation consultants. As a nursing educator, Ms. McNatt has taught at the baccalaureate and associate degree nursing levels and has served as a nurse consultant to local healthcare agencies. An advanced practice registered nurse, or APRN, Ms. McNatt has a master’s degree in nursing from the University of Connecticut with post-graduate work completed at the University of Rhode Island in the area of family practice. A published author, Ms. McNatt has conducted research at both UCONN and URI with a focus in women’s health behaviors. Her research interests center on the menopausal woman including sexual dysfunction, bladder control issues and osteoporosis.

Eileen J. O’Donnell, APRN currently acts as another of Coastal Connecticut Research’s sub-investigators and works out of Dr. Barczak and Dr. Simpson’s private practice offices. Ms O’Donnell received certification as a NCC Women’s Health Care Nurse Practitioner in 1983 and among other certifications completed the INH Human Participants Protection Education for Research certificate in 2001. Ms. O’Donnell is an active member in numerous nursing programs, societies and networks and has held roles such as chairperson, secretary, member and founder of many Planned Parenthood of Connecticut committees and programs respectively. Ms. Eileen O’Donnell received the Nightingale Award for Excellence in Nursing in 2005.

Diane Palmer, RN, serves as Administrator and Certified Clinical Research Coordinator. She earned her Registered Nurse degree from Saint Francis School of Nursing in Hartford, CT and has completed a Clinical Data Management Certificate Program through the University of Connecticut College of Continuing Studies and Workforce, providing her with an education on the drug development process of clinical trials. She has combined her nursing experience in mental health and clinical research training to be a Nurse/Clinical Research Coordinator. Diane’s responsibilities include recruitment and patient education while coordinating research data essential to the successful management of clinical trials research and patient safety.

Carolyn M. Eustace is the Regulatory Coordinator for the Clinical Study Group. She is dedicated to regulatory and patient recruitment. Carolyn also assists in telephone screening, scheduling patient visits and prepares source documents for studies that are being conducted. Her work experience includes office administration, data management and three years in Clinical Research.

Nicole Zak serves as a Clinical Coordinator and received certification in Phlebotomy and as an EKG technician from Teamwork Allied Health. Nicole has working experience in the field of Neurology and Muscular Dystrophy. Her responsibilities include patient recruitment and patient education.