Our research team

Michelle Wooten
Michelle Wooten has been the Executive Director of Riverside Research since the summer of 2016. She brings over 15 years of nursing and leadership to this role, as well as many years of direct design and management of quality and process improvement projects. As Executive Director, Michelle works with teams and other resources committed to both clinical trials and translational research (both cooperative arrangements and grant-funded activities).

Keri Allen
Keri Allen is a SOCRA Certified Clinical Research Professional and holds a Bachelor's degree in Psychology. She has been with Riverside since 2011 and has 10 years of experience as a Study Coordinator working in orthopedics, geriatrics and neurology. Keri's multispecialty focus provides the team with continual insights on internal best practice improvements.

Virginia Barch
Virginia Barch is a Master's prepared Registered Nurse. She has been with Riverside since 1995, and has over 14 years of experience as a Study Coordinator. Virginia's primary focus is on cardiology device and drug studies, and she also provides expertise in quality monitoring and policy development to the research team.

Elizabeth "Liz" Davidson
Elizabeth "Liz" Davidson is a Clinical Research Coordinator and holds a Bachelor's in Psychology. She joined Riverside in January 2017 and has 10 years experience as a Study Coordinator. Her previous research experience is in behavioral health, infectious disease, and combat trauma with military research and currently oncology with Riverside. Liz brings to the table a broad background of clinical research. She has been an asset to our team.

Virginia "Ginny" Desimone
Virginia "Ginny" Desimone is a Registered Nurse who began her cardiology and neurology clinical research experience in 2013. She holds a Master's in Nursing and has over 22 years of experience. Ginny is a proud military veteran, having retired from the Air Force Nurse Corps.

Jenny Faulkner
Jenny Faulkner is a Regulatory/Data Coordinator who has over 15 years of experience as an oncology clinical trial associate, and has been with Riverside since 2006. Jenny's expertise in data collection and accuracy is pivotal to the eventual usefulness of the studies in which the team participates.

Ora Mae Jackson
Ora Mae Jackson is the Oncology Research Manager, is an Oncology Certified Nurse, and has been with Riverside since the inception of the oncology research team in May 2005. She has over 24 years of experience as a Study Coordinator with her primary focus on oncology treatment studies. Ora Mae also works closely with other oncology nurses to enhance systemwide education and the entire patient experience.

Debi Read
Debi Read is a Registered Nurse who has over 31 years of nursing experience in trauma, critical care, cardiac rehabilitation and gerontology/Alzheimer's. Debi has been with Riverside Health System for three years and joined the Research & Discovery team in 2016.