Introduction of Director/Team

In addition to seeing patients in his practice Dr. Alfonso E. Bello, a board certified rheumatologist and Director of Clinical Research at Illinois Bone & Joint Institute, oversees a highly skilled team of research professionals. He also consults and provides services in medical marketing strategy, phase IIIb-IV clinical trial development and management, and product advocacy for the pharmaceutical industry. Previously as Medical Director at G.D. Searle & Co., he designed and managed the North American phase IIIb/IV clinical trial development program for Celebrex®. We have two Registered Nurses working as Clinical Research Coordinators who bring over 35 years of combined clinical research experience. Their nursing backgrounds include internal medicine, critical care, cardiac rehabilitation and post anesthesia care.

Our research facility offers:

• Efficient contract negotiations
• Ability to use a central IRB
• Staff trained in and follows ICH GCP guidelines
• Staff with IATA certification
• Staff experienced with numerous EDC programs
• Locked storage area, with limited access
  • Adequate space for medication, lab kits and CRF storage
  • -70 freezer
  • Refrigerator / Freezer
    • Refrigerator and freezers are on a back-up generator
• Space for site monitor with access to phone, fax and internet

Our Site Offers
As part of its goal to provide patients access to comprehensive and integrated musculoskeletal care, Illinois Bone and Joint Institute patients can obtain a wide range of services "all under one roof" which include:

• Multi-Specialty Physician Group (Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Podiatry)
• Active database of over 40,000 patients
• CLIA certified lab, staffed by a Registered Medical Technologist
• Hologic Discovery™, QDR Series, Bone Densitometer, staffed by two Certified DEXA Technologists
• Infusion Center, staffed by a Registered Nurse and an Infusion Therapist
• X-Ray units (6) staffed by Accredited Registered X-Ray Technologists, providing high quality X-Rays in digital format
• Ultra-sound guided injections
• Open MRI
• Ability to perform various procedures under fluoroscopy
• Physical, Occupational and Aqua Therapy

Clinical Trial Experience
Our site has participated in over 65 clinical trials (Phase II, III and IV) related to; Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Osteoporosis, Gout, Fibromyalgia and Low Back Pain.