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About Us
Meridien Research performs medical research for a number of important diseases in order to assess the effectiveness and safety of new medical treatments.
Research studies are a good way to be a part of the latest advances in medicine. Clinical trials of important new medications are evaluated in phase II, phase III, and phase IV clinical studies in order to find new treatments for patients suffering from conditions like Alzheimer's Disease, fibromyalgia, anxiety, depression, attention deficit disorder (ADHD), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), obesity and others.
Research studies are a good way to be a part of the latest advances in medicine. Clinical trials of important new medications are evaluated in phase II, phase III, and phase IV clinical studies in order to find new treatments for patients suffering from conditions like Alzheimer's Disease, fibromyalgia, anxiety, depression, attention deficit disorder (ADHD), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), obesity and others.
Meridien Research is a resource for patients and families interested in clinical trials of investigational medications available in their local area. Clinical research subjects undergo medical testing, and are closely followed by the study physician and medical staff. There is never a charge to the patient as the cost of medical research is paid for by the pharmaceutical company sponsor.
In order to participate in a clinical trial it is important that the research site is aware of the medications you may be taking and all your health conditions and diagnoses. A detailed medical history and physical exam will be performed. Meridien Research does not take the place of your family doctor, but works with your family doctor when appropriate to make sure your participation in a clinical study is right for you.
Medical research is for patients who are interested in looking for new treatments, who have the time to answer questions about side effects, who are willing to undergo testing, and who are willing to follow the requirements of the study. Sometimes new, unproven medications are compared to already approved medications in clinical trials, sometimes older medications are improved upon chemically and then studied again for safety and effectiveness. Placebo (sugar pills) are sometimes used as part of a study, as study drug must do better than placebo in order to be approved. Not all studies use placebos however; for example, birth control pills for contraception studies do not use placebos. Many studies in anxiety and depression use an active comparator, such as an already approved anti-depressant in comparison to the newer medication. If you are already treated for diabetes or Alzheimer's disease, many studies require that you stay on your medication while a study medication is added to your current treatment. Every study is different.
In order to participate in a clinical trial it is important that the research site is aware of the medications you may be taking and all your health conditions and diagnoses. A detailed medical history and physical exam will be performed. Meridien Research does not take the place of your family doctor, but works with your family doctor when appropriate to make sure your participation in a clinical study is right for you.
Medical research is for patients who are interested in looking for new treatments, who have the time to answer questions about side effects, who are willing to undergo testing, and who are willing to follow the requirements of the study. Sometimes new, unproven medications are compared to already approved medications in clinical trials, sometimes older medications are improved upon chemically and then studied again for safety and effectiveness. Placebo (sugar pills) are sometimes used as part of a study, as study drug must do better than placebo in order to be approved. Not all studies use placebos however; for example, birth control pills for contraception studies do not use placebos. Many studies in anxiety and depression use an active comparator, such as an already approved anti-depressant in comparison to the newer medication. If you are already treated for diabetes or Alzheimer's disease, many studies require that you stay on your medication while a study medication is added to your current treatment. Every study is different.
Our Medical Staff
Cynthia Huffman, MD is board certified by the American College of Psychiatry and Neurology. Dr. Huffman's medical experience includes thirteen years in private practice serving out-patients and rehabilitation patients. Dr. Huffman has been the director of a National Multiple Sclerosis Society sponsored clinic and has worked for the University of South Florida in medical student education.
Mildred Farmer, MD is board certified in Internal Medicine and is fellowship trained in Geriatrics. She has been a principal investigator since 1990 for over 500 trials across multiple therapeutic areas. She has particular expertise in cognitive impairment from Age-associated Memory Impairment to Severe Dementia. She has extensive experience in memory, mood disorders, women's health, migraine, smoking cessation, nutrition, geriatrics, and metabolic studies including lipid disorders, diabetes, and hypertension.
Gigi C. Lefebvre, MD is board certified in Family Practice. Dr. Lefebvre has been in private practice in St. Petersburg since 1990. She continues to see patients at her private practice as well as serving as Principal Investigator. Dr. Lefebvre has been conducting trials in multi-therapeutic areas with Meridien Research since January of 2006.
Louis B. Chaykin, MD is board certified in Internal Medicine. Dr. Chaykin has over 15 years in pharmaceutical research and has been a Principal Investigator with Meridien Research since 2007. He has conducted more than 50 studies in his specialty including diabetes, lipids, metabolic syndrome and osteoporosis. Since joining Meridien Research, Dr. Chaykin has broadened his range of investigation to include obesity, women's health, post herpetic neuralgia and hypertension.
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Martin Bialow, MD is a board certified physician who has served as a cardiologist in private practice, a staff cardiologist at Bay Pines and Morton Plant, and an Assistant Professor of Medicine at the University of South Florida. Dr. Bialow also serves as the Associate Medical Director of Suncoast Hospice. Dr. Bialow is an expert in cardiology.
James Andersen, MD is a board certified physician who has served as a Director of the Florida Academy of Family Physicians and is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Family Medicine at the University of Miami School of Medicine. Dr. Andersen is an expert in addiction and family medicine.