Dr. Gough has conducted clinical research since 1993 and is a Certified Physician Investigator of the Academy of Pharmaceutical Physicians and Investigators (APPI) and Association of Clinical Research Professionals (ACRP). He received his MD with Distinction in Research from the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry and his post graduate training in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology at Duke University. He is a fellow of the American College of Physicians and the American College of Rheumatology, past president of the North Carolina Rheumatology Association and continues to hold clinical faculty appointments at both Duke and the University of North Carolina School of Medicine.
Dr.Vargo has been involved with numerous research projects during her career in Rheumatology since 1987. She graduated from Marshall University School of Medicine in Huntington, WV and completed an Internal Medicine Residency at West Virginia University in Charleston, WV. Dr. Vargo completed her fellowship in Rheumatology at the University of Virginia. She is a fellow of the American College of Rheumatology, member of the American College of Physicians, American Society for Bone and Mineral Research, the International Society for Clinical Densitometry and a member of the Association of Clinical Research Professionals. She is certified as a clinical densitometrist by the International Society for Clinical Densitometry. She completed the American Association of Pharmaceutical Physician's Good Clinical Practice course in June of 2002. She is a Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine at the University of North Carolina. Dr. Vargo is an instrument rated pilot, Aviation Medical Examiner, and a member of the Civil Aviation Medical Association.
Audrey Little is a Physician Assistant who works with our Rheumatology staff. Audrey graduated from the Bowman Gray School of Medicine P.A. Program in 1984 and has received National Board Certification from the National Commission of Certification of Physician Assistants.
Corinne Yelton received her BSN from Western Carolina University at Cullowhee, NC in 1996. She graduated from the MSN program at Western Carolina University in 2002. She was nationally certified as a Family Nurse Practioner by the American Nurses Credentialing Center in 2002.
Linda has coordinated clinical trials at our site for over 14 years and has been the lead coordinator on fifteen clinical studies during this time. She is a member of the Association of Clinical Research Professionals and is working toward certification as a Clinical Research Coordinator.
Kim joined ARORA in the spring of 2006. Although new to research, she has 14 years of nursing experience including a vast array of patient care contact in numerous areas of healthcare. She is currently working on her Baccalaureate Degree in Nursing. She is a member of the Association of Clinical Research Professionals and is working toward certification as a Clinical Research Coordinator.
Mary Ann Gough received a B.A. from the University of Pennsylvania. She worked as a corporate paralegal and then in clinical research before obtaining her MBA from Duke University. She is a member of the Association of Clinical Research Professionals and has completed training workshops in GCP and site administration.
All of the five physicians at the Asheville Arthritis and Osteoporosis Center are board certified in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology. They have active teaching affiliations and clinical appointments with the University of North Carolina School of Medicine. Over the years they have provided service to many professional organizations including the American College of Rheumatology, the North Carolina Rheumatology Association and the Arthritis Foundation as well as the local hospitals and community.
Dr. Gowin received her M.D. degree from the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. She performed her residency in Internal Medicine at the Milton S. Hershey Medical Center in Hershey, Pennsylvania. Her Rheumatology fellowship was completed at the University of Pennsylvania, Phila-delphia, PA. She also has a Masters Degree from the University of Pennsylvania Medical School in Clinical Epidemiology.
Dr. Smith received his M.D. degree from the University of North Carolina School of Medicine. He performed his residency and chief residency in Internal Medicine at Beth Israel Hospital in Boston, MA. His Rheumatology fellowship was completed at Harvard's Brigham and Women's Hospital and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA. He is a Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine with the University of Noprth Carolina School of Medicine. He is also the current President of the North Carolina Rheumatology Association.
Dr. Meyer received his M.D. degree from the University of Arizona College of Medicine. He performed his Internal Medicine residency and Rheumatology fellowship at Duke University Medical Center.