Notebook: New research coordinators welcomed; team to join Liver Walk

A pair of new research coordinators recently joined the University of Louisville Department of Medicine.

Chrissie DeSpirito came on board in the Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Disorders Medicine while Angela Kain joins the team at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center.

DeSpirito is a Louisville native who began as a nurse in Jewish Hospital's Intensive Care Unit in 1989. In addition to her ICU duties, DeSpirito has experience with Open Heart recovery, dialysis and working in the emergency room. She has also done cardiology research for U of L.

Kain is a graduate of Western Kentucky University and has worked with U of L's Division of Nephrology since 1992 under the direction of Dr. Jon Klein.

She has experience in several aspects of kidney disease research ranging from laboratory benchwork to clinical trials assistance.

U of L team to participate in Liver Life Walk event

The U of L Department of Medicine Liver Clinical Trials Team will be taking part in the 2010 Liver Life Walk on Sunday, June 6 at Louisville's Waterfront Park. The event begins at 1 p.m.

Volunteers for the department's booth are still welcome, and those interested should contact Lisa Hatter at 852-3383.

The U of L team will be there to spread the word about clinical trials taking place at the University of Louisville.

"The Department of Medicine is excited to be a part of this year's event," U of L clinical trial leader Tamra Perez said. "We strongly believe that participation in clinical trials is an important component of a patient's health care management at U of L."

In its second year, the Liver Life Walk will feature a 1-2 mile walk through Waterfront Park to raise funds for liver disease research.