Saint Joseph's names Larsen COO of research institute

Atlanta, GA - Saint Joseph’s Health System has named Rhonda Larsen, PA-C, MHS, chief operating officer of Saint Joseph’s Research Institute (SJRI). Larsen spent more than 20 years at Duke University Medical Center prior to joining SJRI.

“Rhonda Larsen has proven experience in clinical research including infectious disease, primary care, cardiology and GI/hepatology,” says Kirk Wilson, president and CEO of Saint Joseph’s Health System.
“We’re excited and eager to gain her expertise and help expand SJRI, benefiting patients throughout the Southeast.”

SJRI was created in 2003 with Saint Joseph’s acquisition of the American Cardiovascular Research Institute. SJRI has expanded and is quickly becoming a leader in translational research – researching new therapies or treatments and bringing them directly from the bench to the patient’s bedside, faster than ever before. SJRI currently is conducting groundbreaking stem cell research, tissue engineering and angiogenesis studies for the treatment of heart failure and cardiovascular diseases, as well as other specialties.

“I’m very excited to be at Saint Joseph’s,” says Larsen. “The work SJRI is doing is typically undertaken only at academic institutions. The citizens of Atlanta are fortunate to have this level of groundbreaking research available to them at their community hospital.”

Larsen’s responsibilities at SJRI include standardization and implementation of operational procedures. While at Duke, she and her staff created a highly-effective operation which is viewed as a model among research organizations.

Larsen earned her bachelor of science degree from Idaho State University and Physician Assistant and Masters in Health Science degrees from Duke University. She also served as Director for site-based research with the Duke Clinical Research Institute. Most recently, she served as associate vice chair for clinical research with the Duke Department of Medicine.

News