Two of Rome's medical facilities will now be participating more in heart research after signing an agreement with one of the largest clincial research programs in the nation.

Sarah Cannon Research Institute (SCRI) of Nashville, Tenn., has signed an agreement with Redmond Regional Medical Center and The Harbin Clinic, a multi-specialty physician practice in Rome, Ga., as a cardiovascular clinical research strategic site.

Rome will be SCRI’s second cardiovascular strategic site and the first that includes both a hospital and a physician practice. Redmond Regional is a 230-bed acute care facility serving northwest Georgia and parts of Alabama. It is the only hospital in the Northwest Georgia region with 24-hour access to angioplasty, open heart and other cardiac procedures, according to hospital officials. Redmond Regional is owned by HCA, also a majority owner of SCRI.

The Harbin Clinic is Georgia’s largest privately owned multi-specialty physician group with more than 140 doctors, 20 locations and over 30 specialties. Harbin Clinic cardiovascular services include 11 cardiologists, four cardiothoracic surgeons, five vascular surgeons, a cardiac rehab program and accredited imaging labs, according to the press release. The clinic has a 61-year history and is successor to the Harbin Hospital, founded in 1908.

SCRI is a strategic research organization focusing on advancing therapies and accelerating drug development. It conducts community-based clinical trials in cardiology, oncology, gastroenterology and other therapeutic areas through affiliations with a network of more than 450 physicians in 25 states. Additionally, SCRI offers management, regulatory and other research support services to drug development sponsors and strategic investigator sites across the country.

SCRI’s rapidly expanding cardiovascular research network will enable hospitals and physician practices to grow their research programs and allow patients to participate in clinical trials in their own community, according to a press release.

“Redmond Regional Medical Center and The Harbin Clinic have outstanding reputations for delivering quality and innovative cardiovascular care, both at the facility and provider level,” said Dr. Steven V. Manoukian, director of cardiovascular research for SCRI. “This innovative partnership is a big step toward SCRI’s goal of advancing therapies for patients through our growing cardiovascular clinical research network of healthcare facilities and physician practices.”



Redmond performs more than 8,000 cardiac cases a year, according to hospital officials. The hospital also has the Joint Commission Gold Seal of Approval for Cardiac Care and full accreditation as a Chest Pain Center with PCI designation from the Society of Chest Pain Centers.



“Clinical trials often offer the best treatment for many conditions,” said Dr. Kenneth F. Davis, president and CEO of The Harbin Clinic. “Our patients will have access to the latest advancements in cardiovascular disease therapy.”

As part of the agreement, SCRI will help manage quality assurance and regulatory compliance as well as provide information technology capabilities and support, officials said. In addition, the staffs will have access to SCRI’s physician experts and clinical research team.

“We look forward to partnering with Dr. Manoukian and his team to help expand cardiovascular research through clinical trials. SCRI has an impressive record for developing and testing new approaches to therapies,” said Brenda M. Waltz, CEO of Redmond Regional Medical Center. “We also appreciate the expertise that The Harbin Clinic cardiologists will bring to the strategic site.”