About Us

Built on Relationships.
Backed by Results.

Our Mission

To conduct high quality, ethical clinical research with patient welfare at the forefront of all we do. Our efforts drive development of medical cures and treatments of tomorrow, while fostering personal growth for team members and positively impacting our communities.

Our Vision & Values

To become the largest, most respected, innovative and highest quality clinical research company dedicated to improving health – worldwide.

Excellence

Strive for excellence and consistency in every type of research we do.

Innovation

Find innovative and ground-breaking solutions through collaboration.

Respect

Treat everyone – subjects, sponsors and associates – with respect.

Community

Base decisions and growth on striving to build a better community.

Ethics

Make the right and honorable decision even if it is the hard or costly one.

We like to say we’re,

“Built by relationships, backed by results.”

So, what does that mean?

Relationships

Professional and lifelong connections with sponsors, CROs, volunteers and others within the clinical research industry that could only be built by 126 dedicated investigators with more than 400 years of combined experience across 20+ different medical specialties.

Results

Improved efficiencies with a focus on exceptional quality and efficacy from unparalleled professionals.

Our Story

The Alliance for Multispecialty Research began in 1994 as a hub for shared marketing, business development, and best practices for elite clinical research centers. AMR evolved out of mutual respect, and out of a shared desire to not only be the best clinical research network but to be the most trusted. Membership into the AMR network was determined by a rigorous peer review, operational breadth, quality requirements, geographic location, and therapeutic expertise.

In 2017, 15 AMR research centers combined to form a company that is fully integrated and designed to serve as a platform for growth and expansion domestically and internationally. This new AMR is spread across the continental United States to offer improved efficiencies resulting from shared resources and outstanding capabilities stemming from a shared knowledge-base. Today with 32 clinical research centers, we are more committed than ever. Please watch the video below to learn more.

0
Investigators
0+
Volunteers in our Database
0+
Clinical Trials Completed
0+
Subjects Enrolled

AMR is an industry-leader in the fight against COVID-19.

Our Leadership

William B. Smith
MD, FACC, CPI

Chief Executive Officer

Dr. William Smith is the Founder, President, and Principal Investigator of VRG and NOCCR, the AMR centers in Knoxville, TN and New Orleans, LA. He is also one of the original founders of AMR. Dr. Smith is board certified in Internal Medicine, Critical Care Medicine, Nephrology and Cardiology. He has been involved in more than 1,900 clinical trials over the past 35 years. He is a frequent lecturer and author and publishes extensively.

Scott Stone
CPA

Chief Financial Officer

Mr. Stone has served in senior executive roles, primarily as a Chief Financial Officer or Chief Operating Officer, for more than two decades. A Certified Public Accountant, he has experience working with both public and private companies across an array of industries, including technology, healthcare, telecommunications and manufacturing. Other experience includes capital strategies. Scott has worked with Fortune 50, private equity-backed companies and closely held, lower middle market enterprises. His other experience includes capital formation, strategic planning, organizational development and exit advisory.

Kari Delahunty
MBA

Chief Operating Officer

Kari is the first Chief Operating Officer for AMR. Kari brings more than 20 years of life sciences leadership experience, with a focus on operations, strategy, and management. She comes to AMR from Shearwater Health, where she recently served as President, Life Sciences.  Prior to that, she served in various roles of increasing responsibility at Syneos Health, culminating as Senior Vice President, Corporate Strategy, with responsibility for strategic planning, development, and execution. She is an active member of the Women Business Leaders of the U.S. Health Care Industry Foundation; Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association; former Chairwoman of the Advisory Board for the College of Biological and Agricultural Engineering at North Carolina State University; and former member of the Board of Directors for North Carolina Association for Biomedical Research.  She also serves as an Executive Council Member for the 2023 RTP Light The Night for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

Jesse Hoffman

Chief Business Officer

Mr. Hoffman has more than 15 years of clinical research experience, working at a leading CRO and site organization. There, he served in a variety of leadership and business development roles. Jesse joined PharmaNet in 2007, which through several M&A transactions became Syneos Health, a top global CRO. Before joining PharmaNet, he served as President at Advanced Clinical Research, a previous member of AMR, with research centers in Utah and Idaho.

Our Experts

Michael A. Rausch
MD, FAAFP

AMR-EL DORADO

Dr. Michael Rausch began practicing medicine after graduating from University of Kansas School Of Medicine in 1990. In 2010, he began conducting clinical trials with Heartland Research Associates.
Kevin Fleishman
MD, FACOG

AMR-FORT MYERS

Dr. Kevin Fleishman, MD, FACOG is an experienced board-certified obstetrics and gynecology physician at Premier Women’s Care of Southwest Florida, located in Fort Myers. He holds degrees in biology and psychology from Duke University, received his medical degree from the University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore and did his residency at Eastern Virginia Graduate School of Medicine, Norfolk, Virginia.

Natasha Bower
MD, FACOG

AMR-FORT MYERS

Dr. Natasha Bower, MD, FACOG is a board-certified obstetrics and gynecology physician at Premier Women’s Care of Southwest Florida, located in Fort Myers. She holds her undergraduate degree from Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, received her medical degree from the University of Miami Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine in Miami and completed her residency training at the University of Vermont Fletcher Allen Health Center in Burlington, Vermont.

Robert Pritt
DO

AMR-FORT MYERS

Dr. Robert Pritt has been in private family medical practice in Fort Myers, Florida for more than 20 years and has also been a medical director for a number of retirement centers in central Florida. He holds a MS in Biology from Frostburg State University and a DO from the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine.
Greg Flinders
PA-C

AMR-FORT MYERS

Physician’s Assistant Greg Flinders has been practicing in Fort Myers for 11 years, the past 3 with Dr. Robert Pritt in his family practice office. He holds a BS in Science from Hodges University and a master’s in physician assistant from Nova Southeastern University.

Pedro Ylisastigui
MD

AMR-FORT MYERS

Dr. Ylisastigui, MD has been in private family medicine practice in the Fort Myers area for more than a decade and been involved in clinical research for the past 25 years. He holds an MD from the Higher Institute of Medical Sciences of Havana, Cuba and has advanced Clinical Pharmacology training from the Institute as well as from the University of Heidelberg in Heidelberg, Germany.  Dr. Ylisastigui completed his Internal Medicine Residency Training at the university of North Dakota in Fargo, ND and has extensive phase I – IV PI experience.

Aurora Badia
MD, DO, FAAD

AMR-FORT MYERS

Dr. Anais Aurora Badia, M.D., D.O., F.A.A.D., a board-certified Dermatologist and Pediatrician founding the Florida Skin Center in 2001.  Her main office is directly across the street from AMR Fort Myers. She holds a BS from the University of Miami, a DO from the Nova Southeastern College of Osteopathic Medicine, a MD from the University of Health Sciences School of Medicine and completed dermatology training in Albany, New York.
Shirisha Vallarapu
PA-C

AMR-FORT MYERS

Shirisha Vallarapu is a board-certified physician assistant and has achieved Diplomate Status from the Society of Dermatology Physician Assistants.  She holds a BS in Microbiology from Miami University and BS and Master’s of Medical Science Physician Assistant Studies from Nova Southeastern University.

Linda Aschom
BSN, ARNP, CRNA

AMR-FORT MYERS

Linda Aschom is the former owner of AMR Fort Myers and has extensive healthcare experience in nursing and as a Nurse Anesthetist over the past 35 years. She holds a BS degree in Chemistry/Physics, a BSN in Nursing from Murray State University, Murray, KY and has a CRNA degree from the Southwest Missouri School for Nurse Anesthesia, Springfield MO.

John E. Ervin
MD, FACP, FACR

AMR-KANSAS CITY

Dr. John E. Ervin, MD, FACP, FACR, was a founding member of The Alliance for Multispecialty Research in 1995. He is board-certified in both Internal Medicine and Rheumatology, has been the recipient of multiple awards for clinical excellence, been in private practice in the Kansas City area since 1977, conducted clinical research since 1986, and in 2009 changed his focus to devote full-time to clinical research.

Dr. Ervin served as past president of The Society of Principal Investigators, two years on the planning committee for the annual meeting for The American Academy of Pharmaceutical Physicians, is past president and chairman of the board of the Western Missouri chapter of The Arthritis Foundation, a founding fellow of The American College of Rheumatology, a Fellow of the American College of Physicians, and has conducted well over 800 clinical protocols as principal investigator.

M. Sue Fanning MD

AMR-KANSAS CITY

Dr. Fanning is a seasoned and proficient Emergency Medicine physician graduating from the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Medicine with a Medical Doctorate. She evaluates, stabilizes, and treats patients presenting with a wide variety of medical issues. Dr. Fanning has an excellent bedside manner and continuously outperform her colleagues in patient satisfaction (Press-Ganey) scores and is adept at managing the chaos of an Emergency Room. Her ability to multitask and efficiently guide her medical team ensures prompt and quality patient care.

Jerry Punch MD

AMR-KNOXVILLE

Dr Jerry Punch, M.D. is the epitome of a physician who has excelled in several different professional careers.
Following his medical training at Wake Forest University, he launched and served as CEO of his own highly successful Emergency Medicine group in Florida. Simultaneously, he enjoyed a 30 year career as an Emmy Award winning network and cable broadcaster covering auto racing. major college and other professional sports. As a result of his diverse background with vast exposure to both medicine and media, he is a highly sought after keynote speaker at both medical and corporate events. Several years ago, his close friendship with current AMR CEO Dr William Smith propelled him to channel his medical focus toward Clinical Trials. Currently Dr Punch works as a Primary Investigator and Co-PI alongside Dr Smith at AMR Knoxville.

William B. Smith
MD, CEO

AMR-KNOXVILLE

Dr. William Smith is a primary Principal Investigator and CEO of AMR.  He is board certified in Internal Medicine, Cardiology, Nephrology and Critical Care Medicine, been involved in research for 35+ years and has conducted over 1800 clinical trials.  Dr. Smith is a frequent speaker at industry conferences and published in clinical and scientific journals.  He is also a Professor of Medicine at the University of TN Medical Center.
Richard L. Gibson
MD

AMR-KNOXVILLE

Dr. Gibson is one of our Sub-investigators and has been with our facility for 25+ years.  He is board certified in Internal Medicine, Nephrology, Psychiatry and Forensic Psychiatry with an MPH in Tropical Medicine.  He is also an Associate Professor with the Internal Medicine department at the University of Tennessee Medical Center as well as consulting psychiatrist.

Michael Jacobs
MD, PhD

AMR-LAS VEGAS

Dr. Jacobs is board certified in Internal Medicine and has a PhD in Neurophysiology. He has been conducting research studies for 23 years and been involved with over 185 phase I – IV research studies in areas including Respiratory studies, Neurological, Cardiology, endocrinology, Genitourinary, Infectious disease, Gastrointestinal, Musculoskeletal, dermatology, smoking device and cessation, Women’s health and vaccine studies. 

Mark Adams
MD

AMR-LEXINGTON

Dr. Adams began practicing medicine in 1983 after graduating from the University of Louisville School of Medicine and specializes in Internal Medicine.  In 2015, he began conducting clinical trials with AMR.

Robert Noveck MD, PhD, FCP, FACEP

AMR-NEW ORLEANS

Over the past 40 years Dr. Noveck has been involved in clinical research on drugs and devices, in academia, dedicated clinical research centers, pharmaceutical/CRO industries and the WCG IRB Ethical review board. In the last few years he as worked as the Principal Investigator at AMR New Orleans conducting phase 1-4 clinical research trials in collaboration with Sponsors who require expertise in the conduct of their clinical trials.

Richard M. Glover, II
MD

AMR-NEWTON

Dr. Richard Glover II started practicing medicine in 1988 after graduating from the University of Kansas School Of Medicine. In 2003, he began conducting clinical trials with Heartland Research Associates.
William R. Beck
MD

AMR-NEWTON

Dr. William Beck began practicing medicine in 1983 after graduating from the University of Kansas School Of Medicine. In 2003, he began conducting clinical trials with Heartland Research Associates.

Stacy B. Slechta
DO

AMR-NEWTON

Dr. Stacy Slechta started practicing medicine after graduating from the University of Health Sciences of Osteopathic Medicine in 1999. In 2004, She began conducting clinical trials with Heartland Research Associates.
Robyn D. Hartvickson
MD

AMR-NEWTON

Dr. Robyn Hartvickson started practicing medicine after graduating from the University of Kansas School of Medicine in 2005. That same year, she began conducting clinical trials with Heartland Research Associates.
Troy A. Holdeman
MD

AMR-NEWTON

Dr. Troy Holdeman began practicing medicine after graduating from the University of Kansas School Of Medicine in 2006. In 2009, he began conducting clinical trials with Heartland Research Associates.

Mary Bailey
MD

AMR-NORFOLK

Dr. Bailey specializes in Internal Medicine and Anatomic and Clinical Pathology and been practicing medicine since 1987 upon graduation from the University of Oklahoma School of Medicine. Dr. Bailey began conducting clinical trials for AMR in 2018.

Kimberly Ellis DO

AMR-NORFOLK

Dr. Ellis specializes in primary care and began practicing medicine in 1991 after graduating from the Nova Southeastern University. She began conducting clinical trials for AMR in 2014.

Amanda Wright, MD

AMR-NORMAN

Amanda Wright serves as a clinical research sub-investigator who earned her Bachelor’s of Biology from Oklahoma State University and her Doctorate of Medicine from the University of Oklahoma. She completed her residency at Great Plains in Oklahoma City. Amanda loves music, singing, playing the piano and spending time with her family.

Lisa Connery MD

AMR-NORMAN

Dr. Lisa Connery is the Medical Director and Principal Investigator for AMR Norman, formally Intend Research. Lisa completed her medical degree and family practice rotation at the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine. Since July 1992, she has continually been Board Certified in Family Medicine. Since starting clinical research in 2005, Dr. Connery has been the principal investigator in over 134 clinical trials.

Corey Anderson
MD

AMR-PHOENIX

Dr. Anderson specializes in family practice and urgent care and has been in the medical research field since 2002.  He has conducted more than 175 trials across a various indications including Vaccines, Respiratory, Musculoskeletal, Genitourinary, Endocrinology, Cardiology and Neurologic areas over his 19 years in practice.

Dr. Craig Julien, MD

AMR-UTAH

Dr. Craig Julien, MD is a Family Medicine Specialist and has over 3 decades of experience in research and general family medicine. He graduated from University of Alabama School of Medicine in Birmingham. Dr. Julien enjoys golf and spending time with his family. He also loves music and his team at the Research Center in Layton.

Dr. Peter Silas, MD

AMR-UTAH

Peter Silas, MD, joins AMR from Pharmaceutical Research Organization where he has been a Principal Investigator in pediatric clinic trials since 1998. He graduated from Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, and has been a practicing pediatrician for almost 25 years.

Terry Poling
MD, DABFM, FAAFP, CPI

AMR-WICHITA EAST

Dr. Terry Poling started practicing medicine after graduating from the University of Kansas School of Medicine in 1962 and began conducting clinical research trials in 1991.  He co-founded Heartland Research Associates in 1994.
Terry D. Klein
MD, DABFM, CPI

AMR-WICHITA EAST

Dr. Terry Klein started practicing medicine after graduating from the University of Kansas School of Medicine in 1985 and began conducting clinical research trials in 1991. He co-founded Heartland Research Associates in 1994.
Thomas C. Klein
MD, DABFM, FAAFP, CPI

AMR-WICHITA EAST

Dr. Thomas Klein started practicing medicine after graduating from the University of Kansas School of Medicine in 1988. He began conducting clinical research trials in 1991. Dr. Klein co-founded Heartland Research Associates in 1994.

Tracy R. Klein
MD, DABFM, CPI

AMR-WICHITA EAST

Dr. Tracy Klein started practicing medicine after graduating from the University of Kansas School of Medicine in 1999 and began conducting clinical research trials in 2001. In 2005, he became a Medical Director of Heartland Research Associates.
Shadi H. Shahouri
MD, FACP

AMR-WICHITA EAST

Dr. Shadi Shahouri began practicing medicine in 1998 after graduating from American University of Beirut and began conducting clinical trials with Heartland Research Associates in 2005.
Ghiyath A. Tabbal
MD

AMR-WICHITA EAST

Dr. Tabbal is an Electrophysiology Cardiologist who joined Heartland Cardiology in July 2010. He is Board-Certified in Internal Medicine, Cardiology and Cardiac Electrophysiology completing his medical education at the University of Damascus School of Medicine in Syriaz Dr. Tabbal also serves as the medical Director of the Wesley Electrophysiology Laboratory.

Gregory F. Lakin
DO, JD

AMR-WICHITA WEST

Gregory F. Lakin, DO, JD is and has been practicing family medicine, long-term care medicine and addiction medicine in Wichita, KS.  He graduated from A.T. Still University of Health Sciences/Kirksville College Of Osteopathic Medicine and Northwestern School of Law.  Dr. Lakin has been involved in Clinical Research Trials for over 25 years. He is board certified in family medicine and addiction medicine.

Paula Worley
MD

AMR-WICHITA WEST

Dr. Paula Worley is passionate about the health and well-being of every member of the community. She is a native Kansan and completed her family medicine residency with Via Christi in Wichita. The first decade of her career was devoted to community health, followed by work in urgent care. Currently, she is serving patients at Andover Family Medicine Clinic. She has been a member of the Down Syndrome Medical Interest Group since 2013 and is active in the local Down syndrome community. She delights in family time with her husband, Michael, and 2 daughters Lydia and Ava. Her free time activities include hiking, knitting, learning to play the mandolin, yoga and spending time in nature.

Richard H. Egelhof
MD, DABFM, FAAFP

AMR-WICHITA WEST

Dr. Richard Egelhof began practicing medicine in 1973 after graduating from the University of Kansas School of Medicine. In 2002, he began conducting clinical trials with Heartland Research Associates.

William C. Simon
D.O., M.R.O, M.C.I.M.E

AMR-WICHITA WEST

Dr. Simon Co-founded New Medical in 2003 after years with the Via Christi Riverside Health System and has decades of experience as a family practice physician and formerly as a chiropractor. He believes in a holistic, complementarian approach to health care and frequently includes homeopathy and prolotherapy when treating patients. Dr. Simon is board-certified in Family Practice, certified Master Independent Medical Examiner, a Medical Review Officer, a Fellow in the American Academy of Medical Acupuncture, and is a DOT National Certified Medical Examiner and Reiki Master.