The Research Team

Physician Executive

Rick Anderson, MD

Administrative Sponsor

Cathy Emanuel

Financial Analyst

Ed Abbott

Research Specialist, Lab

Doris Ruttle, BS, MT (ASCP)

Clinical Research Manager

Sue Copp, MS, RN, CCRC

Has been a part of the research team for five years.  She started working in clinical research five years ago and enjoys the excitement of working in an area where new therapies and medications are brought to patients before they are available to the general population.  Sue has been a nurse for 30 years, working mostly with cardiac patients.  Additionally, she taught nursing for nine years prior to entering clinical research.  Sue enjoys working with and getting to know the patients who enroll in the studies.

Clinical Research Specialist

Danuta Dynda, MD

Danuta has been a part of the research team since July 2007.  After earning her medical degree, she completed a clinical research residency with Methodist for three years prior to her current position.  She likes being a part of the research team because it allows her to play a role in expanding the department into other specialties, especially surgical research.

Research Nurse

Connie Jo Klinkradt, RN-C

Connie has been a nurse for over 25 years working in the emergency department, hyperbaric medicine, and cardiology.  She joined the research team two years ago to become a part of the challenging and exciting research team. 

Research Nurse

Tracy Rennie, MPH, RN

Tracy has been on the Methodist Research team for three years.  She previously worked as a nurse in the surgical ward and in the emergency room.  As a member of the research team, she is able to work with different departments throughout the hospital and still interact with patients.  She enjoys introducing patients to other treatment options for their medical condition.

Research Nurse

Molly Van Vooren, RN

Molly has been a part of the research team for three years.  She has been a nurse for 38 years working in the emergency department, hyperbaric medicine, and the cardiac cath lab.  She also served as the director of home health services and as the medical director of a "Head Start" program.  She joined the research team by recommendation from a friend who believed this would be a great challenge and opportunity to learn a new field of nursing.