Meet the Physicians of our Community Research Network: Part 2
Getting to Know the Brilliant Minds Behind Our Innovative Research Teams at Philadelphia and Western Kentucky
This is part two of our Clinical Trials Day 2025 series celebrating the physicians who have joined our Community Research Network in the past year.
Today, we showcase the principal investigators (PIs) within our Western Kentucky and Philadelphia Districts. These investigators come from various therapeutic areas, including family/internal medicine, endocrinology, obstetrics and gynecology, ophthalmology, and pain management. Our embedded research Teams in these health systems support our PIs in conducting studies, so they can focus on delivering the best care to their patients.
Dr. Javier Duron
Graves Gilbert Clinic
Starting with Dr. Javier Duron Tabora, who joined our Site Partnership Network in August 2024, is an esteemed endocrinologist at Graves Gilbert Clinic, located in Bowling Green, KY. Having received his medical degree from Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Honduras with board certification in internal medicine, Dr. Duron has been practicing for over a decade. He specializes in treating diabetes and other endocrine conditions, making significant contributions to the field with his research publications on insulin resistance, hypercalcemia, blood pressure management, and hyperthyroidism.
Dr. Duron is known for his quality improvement projects, such as standardizing blood pressure measurement and improving continuity at primary care practices. His dedication to advancing medical science is evident in his active involvement in the community and his commitment to patient care.
---
Dr. Alan Goldberg
PMSI Comprehensive Healthcare
Dr. Alan Goldberg, who was also onboarded into our network in August of last year, specializes in family medicine at PMSI Comprehensive Healthcare, in Pottstown, PA. He earned his medical degree from Jefferson Medical College and completed his residency at Cook County Hospital. Dr. Goldberg's extensive research includes leading randomized Phase 3 clinical trials on blood glucose monitoring and evaluating diabetes treatments.
As the Medical Director at Pottstown Memorial Medical Center, he combines clinical expertise with innovative research, bringing opportunities to participate in clinical research to his patients. His work in family medicine encompasses a wide range of health issues, providing exhaustive healthcare to individuals and families alike.
---
Dr. Nirav Sheth
Graves Gilbert Clinic
Dr. Nirav Sheth, an internal medicine specialist at Graves Gilbert Clinic, joined our network in July of last year. With fellowships in geriatrics and internal medicine from UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School and St. Peter’s Medical Center, Dr. Sheth is board-certified and brings a deep understanding of geriatric care to his practice. His research spans multiple clinical trials, focusing on diabetes management, anemia, and vaccine safety, including randomized, Phase 2-Phase 3, studies.
Dr. Sheth is an active member of several medical societies, including the American Geriatrics Society and the American Medical Association. His promise to deliver top geriatric medicine ensures that elderly patients receive the specialized treatments they need to maintain their health and well-being.
---
Dr. Huifang Sun
Graves Gilbert Clinic
Dr. Huifang Sun, also at Graves Gilbert Clinic, is an accomplished internal medicine physician with a Ph.D. in Molecular Therapeutics/Pharmacology from the Roswell Park Cancer Institute at Vanderbilt University and received her M.D. at Zhejiang University. Dr. Sun's research publications include groundbreaking work on growth hormone-mediated regeneration, cancer therapy, and neurological disorders such as obsessive-compulsive disorder, anxiety, and depression. These publications in international journals highlight her contributions to medical science.
Dr. Sun has a strong background in teaching and mentoring, having taught medical students at Western Kentucky University, making her a valuable asset to the medical community. Her background in molecular therapeutics allows her to provide cutting-edge treatments to patients with complex medical conditions.
---
Dr. John Gover
Graves Gilbert Clinic
Dr. John Gover, who joined our network at the start of this year, is a native of Bowling Green with an extensive history in internal medicine. He received his medical degree from the University of Louisville and has been practicing in the community since 1986.
Dr. Gover's dedication to patient-centricity and his board certification in internal medicine underscores his commitment to improving health outcomes for his patients. His long-standing presence in the community has allowed him to build strong relationships with his patients, providing personalized and compassionate care. Having recently joined our Site Partnership Network, our WKY Research Team is eager to find the right trials to match Dr. Gover and his patients.
---
Dr. Todd Drexel
Graves Gilbert Clinic
Dr. Todd Drexel, an obstetrics and gynecology specialist, has clinical interests in hormonal therapy, robotic surgery, infertility, and anti-aging medicine. He holds degrees from Des Moines University and Tulane University, with specialized training in obstetrics and gynecology, and completed his residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Ohio Health.
Dr. Drexel is passionate about hormone replacement therapy and helping both men and women navigate whatever stage of life they are in. He feels lucky to be part of his patients’ healthcare journeys, whether that is helping bring babies into the world or providing treatment and guidance during menopausal changes. He looks for new hormonal treatment options to build routines that work for each person.
“I have a keen interest in bioidentical hormone replacement therapy…I enjoy the challenges of that part of my specialty area; it's unique and every patient is different in respect to their hormone management. I treat both men and women; with women’s health it's those symptoms you get when experiencing menopause: the brain fog, not sleeping at night, hot flashes, night sweats, and memory issues. A lot of those things can get better if your hormones are balanced. For men who come to me with low testosterone or andropause, we help them get back up into a normal range.” -Dr. Todd Drexel
---
Dr. Marc Moore
Graves Gilbert Clinic
Dr. Marc Moore, an ophthalmologist at Graves Gilbert Clinic who was onboarded in December of last year, excels in cataract surgery and the treatment of refractive errors. He obtained his medical degree from the University of Louisville and completed his residency at the Vanderbilt Eye Institute. He completed a fellowship at the American Academy of Ophthalmology and is a member of the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery.
Dr. Moore's experience encompasses advanced intraocular lens implants and cataract surgery, which reflects his commitment to cutting-edge ophthalmologic care. He treats various ophthalmological conditions, including eyelid pathologies, cornea disorders, glaucoma, and diabetic eye disease, ensuring comprehensive eye health for his patients. Dr. Moore's motivation to improving vision and attention to individualized patient care has made him a trusted name in ophthalmology.
---
Dr. William Cano
PMSI Comprehensive Healthcare
Dr. William Cano was onboarded to our network early last year from PMSI Comprehensive Healthcare, where he specializes in pain medicine. With a medical degree from the University of Granada and extensive training in the United States, Dr. Cano has over eight years in treating chronic pain.
He performed research at NEMC-Tufts University in Boston which has been published within various journals and has been presented and both national and international medical conferences. His role as Director of the PMSI Division of Pain Medicine demonstrates his devotion to medical innovations. Dr. Cano's expertise in pain management allows him to offer effective treatments for patients suffering from a multitude of pain conditions, improving their quality of life.
---
Dr. Amy Gearlds
Graves Gilbert Clinic
Dr. Amy Gearlds, an urgent care medicine physician who joined our network just over five months ago, has a rich educational background with degrees from the University of Pikeville and the University of Louisville. She was Chief Resident at the University of Kentucky, and conducted research focused on bone targeting agents in osteoporosis.
Her work in urgent care and family medicine ensures that patients receive prompt and effective treatment. Dr. Gearlds's deep medical knowledge allows her to address acute medical issues efficiently, providing relief and support to her patients.
“I very much like to help people and I think my heart is trying to solve problems. I enjoy talking to patients, figuring out what's going on with them, then trying to solve their problems, and make them happier and healthier in the process.” - Dr. Amy Gearlds
---
We thank each of these incredible physicians for partnering with us to lead clinical research in their communities. They play an integral part in our mission, and with their work and partnership, we can bring clinical research to all. Next up on our series, we’re showcasing physicians from our St. Louis District—stay tuned!