Tampa Medical Group, P.A.

TAMPA MEDICAL GROUP RESEARCH

Staff Profiles

Click on a name for a summary and Curriculum Vitae:

Harris H. McIlwain, M.D.

Joel C. Silverfield, M.D.

Michael C. Burnette, M.D.

Laura M. Cruse, MD

Kimberly M. Smith, MD

Deborah K. Vasden, R.N.

Plessie DeForest, R.N.,B.S.N.

Lynn Saul, L.P.N.

Marilyn Deaton, R.N.

Janet M. LaPorte, R.M.A

Angie Osorio, R.N.

Victoria Cavaliero, C.C.R.C.

Susan Thorpe, RT (R), CDT

Brenda Ware, B.S., C.R.T.

Frieda J. Levine, L.P.N.

Pat Carr, Secretary

Wanita Dunlap Cooper, L.P.N.

Lin F. McIlwain, Development

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 Harris H. McIlwain, M.D., is a graduate of Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta, Georgia. Dr. McIlwain completed his training in a residency at Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta and is Board Certified in Internal Medicine, Rheumatology, and Geriatric Medicine. In addition to working with TMG, Dr. McIlwain is the Medical Director at John Knox Village. He also has appointments at St. Joseph's Hospital, University Community Hospital and Brandon Regional Hospital.

Beyond practicing medicine, Dr. McIlwain also has a sincere interest in medical research, particularly communicating the newest research to the public. In addition to being one of the lead investigators for clinical trials at TMGR, Dr. McIlwain has a faculty appointment in the department of Community and Family Health at the University of South Florida College of Public Health. Dr. McIlwain has written several publications in an effort to help the public in the understanding of the newest research. Participating in Speakers Bureau is another avenue where Dr. McIlwain has the opportunity to pass on his expertise in Rheumatology, Internal Medicine, Geriatric Medicine and Osteoporosis to his colleagues.

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Joel C. Silverfield, M.D., is a graduate from Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta, Georgia. After completing an Internship and Residency at Emory, Dr. Silverfield continued his education with a Rheumatology fellowship at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.  Dr. Silverfield is Board Certified in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology.  He has appointments at St. Joseph's Hospital, University Community Hospital, and Brandon Regional Hospital.

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Michael C. Burnette, M.D., is a Summa Cum Laude graduate of the University of North Carolina Medical School.  Dr. Burnette completed his Internship and Residency training at the University of Kentucky Medical Center while later completing a Rheumatology fellowship at the Medical University of South Carolina.  He is Board Certified in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology. He has appointments at St. Joseph's Hospital, University Community Hospital,  and Brandon Regional Hospital. 

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Laura M. Cruse, M.D., is a graduate of the University of South Florida School of Medicine. Dr. Cruse completed her residency in internal medicine and rheumatology fellowship at the University of South Florida. She is Board Certified in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology. In addition to working with TMG, Dr. Cruse is a co-author of Reversing Osteopenia and contributor to several other publications. She has appointments at St. Joseph's Hospital, University Community Hospital,  and Brandon Regional Hospital. 

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Kimberly M. Smith, M.D., is a graduate of the University of South Florida School of Medicine. Dr. Smith completed her residency in internal medicine at the University of South Florida and completed her rheumatology fellowship at Emory University. She is Board Certified in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology. In addition to working with TMG, Dr. Smith is a co-author of Reversing Osteopenia and contributor to several other publications. She has appointments at St. Joseph's Hospital, University Community Hospital,  and Brandon Regional Hospital. 

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Plessie DeForest, R.N., B.S.N., C.C.R.C., Assistant Clinical Research Director and Study Coordinator at TMGR.  She has 28 years of experience managing clinical trials including training, budgeting, and recruitment and had been a part of TMGR since 1978.  Ms. DeForest obtained a Bachelors in Nursing degree at Florida State University.   She is also certified as a Clinical Research Coordinator.

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Deborah Kay Vasden, R.N., C.C.R.C., Clinical Research Director and Manager of Clinical Trials at TMGR for the past 8 years.  Her responsibilities include screening and recruitment of patients for studies in the areas of rheumatology, osteoporosis and internal medicine.   Ms. Vasden's education began with an Associates in Arts in Nursing at St. Petersburg Jr. College.  She has continued to enhance her education with various business and education classes at the University of South Florida.

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Marilyn Deaton, R.N., has been a Clinical Research Nurse for TMGR for the past 20 years.  Her primary responsibilities include screening, recruitment and study management involving Rheumatology, Osteoporosis, and Internal Medicine. Ms. Deaton received her education from St. Mary's Hospital School of Nursing.  She has also continued her education at the University of South Florida with various classes and seminars to upgrade her nursing skills.

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Janet M. LaPorte, R.M.A., C.C.R.C., is a Clinical Research Coordinator at TMGR.  Her primary responsibilities in her 15 years of experience has been involved with screening and recruitment of subjects for clinical trials in Rheumatology and Internal Medicine. Ms. LaPorte's educational background includes a Bachelor's degree in Biology from Vasser College.  She then continued to obtain a Medical Assistant Degree from Edison Jr. College and a certification in Cardiac Monitoring.

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Lynn Saul, L.P.N., C.C.R.C., is a Clinical Research Coordinator at TMGR.   Ms. Saul has been with TMGR for the past 19 years.  Her nursing education began at the Hillsborough County School of Practical Nursing and was completed at St. Petersburg Junior College. Ms. Saul's primary responsibilities at TMGR include screening and recruiting patients for research studies in the areas of rheumatology, internal medicine and study management.

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Freida J. Levine, L.P.N., , has been a Clinical Research Coordinator for TMGR for over 8 years. She is responsible for recruiting, screening and study management in the areas of rheumatology, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, and internal medicine.  Ms. Levine's nursing degree is from the Hillsborough County School of Practical Nursing.

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Victoria Cavaliero, C.C.R.C.

Curriculum Vitae

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Angie Osorio, R.N.

Curriculum Vitae

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Brenda Ware, B.S., C.R.T.

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Susan Thorpe, R.T. (R), CDT

Susan Thorpe, RT ®, CDT is the director of the Osteoporosis Care Center with over 14 years of experience as a radiography and densitometry technologist. She is the most experienced radiography and densitometry technologist in the state of Florida. Ms. Thorpe received her A. A. S. from the Lexington Technical Institute at the University of Kentucky and is certified by the International Society for Clinical Densitometry.

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Wanita Dunlap Cooper, L.P.N.

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Revised: Summer 2008