Research & clinical trials

Physician researchers at Atlantic Health have established an enduring history in transforming cardiovascular care through a commitment to bringing the most advanced therapies and technologies to our communities. Through clinical trial participation, our cardiac research team is provided extensive experience with new, highly effective remedies prior to their full introduction into the marketplace.

Our cardiology, cardiovascular medicine and cardiac surgery departments participate in dozens of clinical trials each year. These national and international studies enhance our physicians' familiarity with promising advancements in electrophysiology, cardiac surgery, vascular surgery and clinical cardiology. The result: improved outcomes for our patients.

Trials are underway that assess the effectiveness of minimally invasive surgical techniques and devices, electrophysiology procedures, and medications.

Areas of research expertise

• Coronary artery disease
• Severe aortic stenosis
• Mitral valve regurgitation
• Atrial fibrillation
• Sudden death prevention and heart failure
• Hypertension (high blood pressure)
• Familial hypercholesterolemia
• Tricuspid valve regurgitation
  

Our physician researchers

Coronary artery disease, aortic stenosis, atherosclerosis, mitral valve disorders, and other valve diseases

• David Bartov, MD
• John Brown, MD
• Philippe Genereux, MD
• Linda D. Gillam, MD
• Robert Kipperman, MD
• Christopher Magovern, MD
• Craig Rosen, MD
• Clifford Sales, MD
• Jordan Safirstein, MD
• Scott Schwarz, MD
• James Slater, MD
• Seth Uretsky, MD

Heart rhythm disorders and atrial fibrillation and electrophysiology

• Robert Coyne, MD
• Michael Katz, MD
• Timothy Mahoney, MD
• Jonathan Sussman, MD
• Stephen Winters, MD

Heart failure prevention

• Abhishek Singh, MD
  

High blood pressure and high cholesterol

• Robert Daniel Fishberg, MD
• Robert Kipperman, MD

Stroke

• Robert Kipperman, MD

Women's heart health

• Linda D. Gillam, MD

Atlantic Health  has made significant strides in recent years to make research a mainstay feature of the program's key services. Our physicians are conducting ongoing research to offer the most advanced diagnostic and therapeutic services available for stroke patients and those who have brain tumors, movement disorders or other neurological diseases.

Movement disorders are an area of specialized focus for our researchers. The program remains committed to bringing as many Parkinson's disease clinical trials and studies to Atlantic Health Overlook as possible, understanding the complexity of the condition and the diverse needs of these patients.

Our physicians are also highly involved in pediatric and adolescent neuroscience research, with particular expertise in identifying the genetic and environmental risk factors that contribute to Tourette's syndrome and autism. Discoveries in these fields have helped improve diagnostic guidelines and aided in the development of both medicinal and alternative therapies for these conditions.

Currently, we are conducting clinical trials and studies in the following conditions: Parkinson's disease, cervical dystonia, Tourette syndrome, autism, brain tumors, pseudobulbar affect (PBA), and stroke.

Our physician researchers

Brain tumors

• Yaron Moshel, MD

Lyme disease

• John Halperin, MD

Stroke

• Kyle Chapple, MD

Atlantic Health  is recognized as a leader in the diagnosis and treatment of all types of cancers. From innovative therapies and advanced diagnostics to minimally invasive surgery and the latest in radiation therapy, we offer cutting-edge medical technology, ground-breaking treatment techniques and exceptional support services in a comfortable setting.

For more than 20 years, our medical centers have participated in numerous clinical trials of investigational drugs and therapies that eventually received U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval. From key developments in targeted therapy within breast and ovarian cancers to the use of immunotherapy and gene therapy to treat skin cancer, our physician investigators work in partnership with industry and cooperative group sponsors to bring the latest developments in cancer care to the community.

The growth of our cancer program reflects not only the growth of our medical centers, but also how differently cancer is treated today. Research into genetic and lifestyle factors that contribute to cancer has dramatically changed the way doctors and patients approach a cancer diagnosis. In fact, the Atlantic Health Cancer Consortium Community Oncology Research Program  combines the collective strengths of world-class health care systems across the state to offer cancer prevention, care delivery and treatment studies.

Atlantic Health routinely offers clinical trials in many areas of cancer. Depending on the condition, trials are available in immunotherapy, gene therapy, radiation oncology, and oral and intravenous therapies. Many of our trials address metastatic and advanced disease, including:

• Blood cancers (leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma)
• Colorectal, pancreatic, kidney and liver cancers
• Lung cancer
• Prostate and kidney cancers
• Skin cancers and melanoma
  
• Women's cancers (breast, cervical, endometrial and ovarian)
  

Our physician researchers

Blood cancers: leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma

• Mohamad Cherry, MD
  
• Charles Farber, MD
• Neil Morganstein, MD
• Michael Scola, MD

Brain cancer

• Robert Aiken, MD
• Nicholas Metrus, MD
• Yaron Moshel, MD

Breast cancer

• Ellen Early, MD
• Marcella Fornari, DO
• Leah Gendler, MD
• Bonni Guerin, MD
• Margaret Sacco, MD
  
• Nana Tchabo, MD

Other women's cancers: cervical, endometrial, ovarian and vulvar

• Yana Goldberg, MD
  
• Mona Karim, MD
• Michael Scola, MD
  
• Nana Tchabo, MD
  
• Daniel Tobias, MD

Gastrointestinal cancer

• Angela Alistar, MD
• Mona Karim, MD

Lung cancer

• Dennis Lowenthal, MD
• Federico Steiner, MD
  
• Mark Widmann, MD

Pancreatic cancer

• Angela Alistar, MD

Urological: kidney and prostate cancers

• Andrew Berman, MD
  
• Bonni Guerin, MD
• Neil Morganstein, MD
• Sandip Prasad, MD
• William Rafelson, MD, FACP

Sarcoma

• Mohamad Cherry, MD

Skin cancers and melanoma

• Eric D. Whitman, MD

Thyroid cancer

• Eric D. Whitman, MD

The name "children's hospital" is an earned recognition, meaning the hospital has met the standards of pediatric health care as defined by the national Children's Hospital Association and the State of New Jersey. This distinction signifies that we have multiple specialties that other general hospitals do not have, such as a pediatric intensive care unit and regional perinatal center, and that we actively participate in training and research.

Our academic environment, with a focus on critical thinking and research, not only allows us to help train the next generation of physicians, but also brings cutting-edge approaches to diagnosis and treatment that benefit our patients and families.

Physician investigators at Goryeb Children's Hospital have extensive experience in cancer and blood disorders, lung disease, gastrointestinal disease, hormonal and metabolic disorders, and neurological disorders. Our specialized centers are continuously improving outcomes through quality clinical care, research, education and full family support.

Primary research areas at our children's hospital include the following conditions:

• Cancer and blood disorders
• Cystic fibrosis
• Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis
• Diabetes
• Growth and puberty disorders
• Neurology and movement disorders
• Pulmonary
• Rheumatology
  

The Valerie Fund Children's Center, part of the Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology at Goryeb Children's Hospital, provides personalized, comprehensive medical care to children, adolescents and young adults with cancer and blood disorders. The Valerie Fund Children's Center is a nationally recognized cancer center and active member of the Children's Oncology Group, the largest cooperative cancer group for patients under 21. Our participation in this group ensures that clinical trials and the latest research findings are always made available to our patients.

For information on clinical trials for pediatric cancer, please visit Children's Oncology Group.

Our physician researchers

Diabetes, hormonal and metabolic disorders

• Barbara Cerame, MD
• Lawrence Silverman, MD
• Harold Starkman, MD

Gastrointestinal: Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis

• Barbara J. Verga, MD
• Tamara L. Feldman, MD
• Oren Koslowe, MD
• Alycia Leiby, MD
• Nadia Ovchinsky, MD
• Mohini Patel, MD
• Peter C. Wilmot, DO

Neurology and movement disorders

• Harvey Bennett, MD

At Atlantic Health medical centers, the following departments are actively exploring new treatments, diagnostic techniques, and systems of care delivery. Research partnerships and collaborations with other health care systems and universities provide access to the most up-to-date data sharing platforms and latest findings.

Atlantic Sports Health

• Concussion (diagnostics, recovery and management)
• Joint and muscle pain
• Lifestyle intervention and cancer survivorship programs
• Exercise programs for children
• Vitamin D deficiencies and bone mineral density
• Omega 3 fatty acids in brain injuries

Atlantic Digestive Health Institute

• Inflammatory bowel disease
• Celiac sprue
• C. difficile colitis
• Stool transplant

Institute for Rheumatic and Autoimmune Diseases 

• Biomarkers of anti-TNF therapies
• Inflammatory arthritis (including rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis)
• Lupus
• Sjögren's syndrome
• Osteoarthritis and osteoporosis

Atlantic Urogynecology Associates

• Uterovaginal prolapse and genetic predisposition for pelvic organ prolapse
• Urinary incontinence and overactive bladder
• Electrical field stimulation and minimally invasive surgeries
• Sexual and bowel function after laparoscopic surgeries

Gunnar H. Esiason Cystic Fibrosis Center

• Restoring cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance (CFTR) function
• Anti-inflammatories
• Anti-infectives
• Other

Wound Healing

• Healing technologies for venous ulcers