(Columbus, Georgia) August 21, 2008 — Dr. Joseph G. Surber of Southeast Regional Research Group has earned Physician Investigator certification (CPI) through the Association of Clinical Research Professionals (ACRP) and the Academy of Pharmaceutical Physicians and Investigators (APPI).

Dr. Surber is one of only a few dozen physicians in the Southeast and one of only several hundred physicians worldwide who are designated as CPI.

“Not only is it an honor to join the physicians who are already CPI certified,” Dr. Surber said, “it is a tremendous opportunity for our medical communities in Columbus and Savannah areas to ramp up our efforts to educate our patients about the importance of clinical research to the future of medicine.”

“Without a doubt, CPI certification positions Dr. Surber as a leader in the research industry on a local, state, national and global level,” said Dr. Jeffrey Kingsley, Chief Executive Officer of SERRG, Inc. “His status as a Certified Physician Investigator will help build research-centered partnerships, and has great potential to strengthen his already stellar bond with his physician peers and patients.”

“Dr. Surber’s CPI certification assures us of quality research and research related healthcare right here in our own backyard,” Dr. Kingsley continued. “Advances through medical research are happening every day and this information needs to be shared amongst all those we come in contact.”

As Chief Medical Officer of SERRG, Inc., Dr. Surber is board certified in Family Medicine and holds faculty positions with the Medical College of Georgia and Mercer University.

Dr. Surber has been conducting medical research since receiving his medical degree in 2001 from West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine located in Lewisburg, W.Va.

About ACRP and APPI

ACRP is the primary resource for clinical research professionals in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical device industries, and those in hospital, academic medical centers and physician office settings. Founded in 1976 and headquartered in Alexandria, Virginia, ACRP is a global association comprised of more than 20,000 individuals over 60 countries dedicated to clinical research development. The purpose of the association is to provide global leadership to promote integrity and excellence for the clinical research profession.

APPI’s mission is to enhance the proficiency of pharmaceutical physicians and physician investigators by promoting the dissemination of knowledge concerning therapeutic action, investigation and development of medicines and diagnostics, and by promoting the protection of the welfare of patients and study subjects.

(Columbus, Georgia) August 21, 2008 — According to a new study just released from The Commonwealth Fund, in 2007 nearly two-thirds of U.S. adults went without needed healthcare because of cost.

Southeast Regional Research Group, a medical research facility in Columbus, offers treatment options that may not be available to patients otherwise. Patients who volunteer to participate in a medical research study often receive, at no cost, a medical assessment and lab tests relating to their condition as well as investigational medication which may help their condition, at the same time promoting the future of medicine.

In a Harris Interactive survey referenced by The Center for Information & Study on Clinical Research Participation, the major reasons cited by patients for participating in clinical trials include: “If it would benefit me or someone else” (58%); “If I knew all about the risks” (48%); “If the risk was minimal or if the reward outweighs the risk” (35.3%); and “For a cure” (35.3%).

Southeast Regional Research Group is currently enrolling patients 18 and older who are diagnosed with one of the following health conditions:

• Atrial Fibrillation (Hypertension)
• Chronic Renal Failure
• Heart Disease
• Osteoarthritis
• Skin Infection

A FDA-regulated medical research facility, Southeast Regional Research Group conducts clinical research studies for many of the nation’s pharmaceutical research industry leaders. As such, hundreds of patient volunteers in The Valley and surrounding areas have turned to Southeast Regional Research Group to participate in medical research as it relates to their medical condition.

Patients wanting to learn more about medical research or who are interested in volunteering for a study can visit www.serrg.com, call 706-596-4894 (toll-free at 888-SERRG-08), or visit our Columbus medical facility at 5210 Armour Road, Suite 300.

About Dr. Kingsley and Dr. Surber

Drs. Jeffrey Kingsley and Joseph Surber, founders of Columbus-based Southeast Regional Research Group, have worked side-by-side for the past seven years in this and other ventures. Both Drs. Kingsley and Surber are Board Certified Family Physicians.

Dr. Kingsley is licensed in Alabama and Georgia, and has conducted medical research since 2002 in the following therapeutic areas: Cardiology, Dermatology, Gastroenterology, Gynecology, Infectious Disease, Nephrology, Neurology, Pulmonology, Rheumatology and Wound Care.

Licensed in Georgia, Dr. Surber is a Certified Physician Investigator and holds faculty positions with the Medical College of Georgia and Mercer University. Dr. Surber has been conducting medical research since 2005 in the following therapeutic areas: Cardiology, Dermatology, Gastroenterology, Gynecology, Infectious Disease, Nephrology, Neurology, Pulmonology, Rheumatology and Wound Care.

About Southeast Regional Research Group

Southeast Regional Research Group has four clinical sites in Georgia (Columbus, Ludowici, Rincon and Savannah) and a clinical site in Alexander City, Alabama. At each clinical research site, Southeast Regional Research Group physicians and staff work with a local network of hospitals, government and community-run healthcare clinics, and inpatient- and outpatient-based physicians in our mission to provide compassionate medical care in our community.

As a research facility under the governance of several Institutional Review Boards (IRBs), Southeast Regional Research Group is steadfast in our commitment to communicate the patient volunteer’s condition with both the volunteer and the volunteer’s primary or referring physician.

The Academy and APPI have launched a campaign to support a federal effort to honor patient participants in clinical trials. The effort is embodied in House Resolution 248… Read more.

In a recent U.S. survey, 94 percent of respondents said their doctor has never talked to them about taking part in any type of medical research study… Read More.

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Updated: June 10, 2008 09:44 AM EDT