Overview

The Center for Rheumatology and Bone Research is a division of Arthritis and Rheumatism Associates, a rheumatology practice with 30 Providers and seven locations. Clinical trials are conducted in the Wheaton, Md., location. The development of the center stemmed from desire to participate in clinical trials in a focused and well-managed setting, offering contracting companies high-quality service while giving our patients access to new therapies. Our experience in conducting clinical trials began in 1982 and covers a broad range of rheumatology including the evaluation of new agents for rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, chronic pain, back pain, gout, osteoporosis, Sjogren’s syndrome, psoriatic arthritis, tendonitis, fibromyalgia, lupus and other connective tissue diseases. All of our physicians are board certified in internal medicine and rheumatology. We have an active teaching affiliation with the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences and the University of Maryland School of Medicine. Members of the group are active in the American College of Rheumatology, the American College of Physicians and the Association of Clinical Research Professionals.

Our rheumatology practice handles 60,000 patient visits annually, including 4,000 new patients, in seven locations. We see patients from a wide geographic area that spans from Baltimore, Md., to Fredericksburg, Va., and from Harper's Ferry, W.Va., to Salisbury, Md. We are equipped with a full-service, fully licensed laboratory and onsite digital x-ray facilities, which are staffed with licensed radiation technologists. Our osteoporosis assessment centers provide DEXA testing for bone mineral density measurement at five locations and are capable of performing total body DEXA studies. In addition, we have an excellent physical therapy division with full-time, registered physical therapists.

Research Experience

The Center for Rheumatology and Bone Research has been conducting clinical research for more than 40 years. We have participated in more than two hundred clinical trials. Our main focus involves phase II, II and IV, observational, and investigator-initiated protocols. Our clinical trial experience and therapeutic interests include:

The Center for Rheumatology and Bone Research has conducted studies for numerous pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies including:

Our center has also conducted studies for several CROs including:

Facility Description

Just minutes from the FDA in White Oak and the NIH in Bethesda, the Wheaton, Md., research center is a stand-alone clinical research facility located adjacent to our Wheaton rheumatology practice. It affords generous space for interviewing and examining patients and for clinical research associates to monitor the progress of protocols.

Investigator Experience

Jeffrey A. Potter, MD FACR
Medical Director

Dr. Potter is a native of Fort Washington, Md., and attended Columbia University where he earned his BA degree in 2000 with dual majors in pre-medical studies and art history. In 2006, he graduated from Howard University College of Medicine and completed his internal medicine residency at Howard University Hospital before pursuing his rheumatology fellowship at New York University. Between medical school and his internship/residency, he spent a year at the National Institutes of Health as a recipient of an Intramural Research Training Award.

Dr. Potter has received multiple scholarships and awards throughout his academic and medical careers, including the ACR REF/Amgen/Pfizer Rheumatology Fellowship Training Award (New York University), Teaching Resident of the Year (Howard University Hospital), Intramural Research Training Award (National Institute of Arthritis, Musculoskeletal & Skin Disorders), Dr. Emile C. Nash Award (Howard University College of Medicine) and Internal Medicine Departmental Award (Howard University Hospital). He has been first author and co-author of several peer-reviewed articles, largely focusing on disparities in US healthcare.

Dr. Potter is board certified in internal medicine and rheumatology and is a member of the American College of Rheumatology. His areas of interest include rheumatoid arthritis, gout, myositis, systemic lupus and musculoskeletal ultrasound.

Staff Expertise

The site is staffed by clinical research coordinators who are certified by The Association of Clinical Research Professionals, and a clinical research assistant. Our administrative staff members include an experienced clinical research director, a financial and regulatory specialist, a clinical research administrative assistant, a quality assurance officer and a recruiter. All study staff are certified by the Association of Clinical Research Professionals upon eligibility.

We have very experienced clinical research staff. The staff participates in weekly meetings that set policy, provide ongoing training and facilitate our program of quality assurance.

Theresa Bass-Goldman, CCRC
Clinical Research Director

Megan Lormore, BS, CCRC
Clinical Research Coordinator

Ashling Bauer, BA
Clinical Research Coordinator

Janice Whyte-Whitworth, PharmBs
Clinical Research Coordinator

Sandra Ventura, CMA
Clinical Research Coordinator

Lisa Klein
Financial and Regulatory Specialist Quality Assurance Officer

Michelle Grimm
Recruiter

Other Information

Please visit our clinical practice website:  http://www.washingtonbone.com/.
For patient inquiries, please call at 301.942.6610.

If you are interested in contacting this center to discuss clinical trials, please email us at htbgoldman@arapc.com. A representative from our clinical research center will then follow up