Our Team
Priyesh Mehta, D.O.
Medical Director & Principal Investigator
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Dr. Mehta is Director of META Medical Research Institute and is the lead Principal Investigator for all META Medical research studies. Dr. Mehta completed his physical medicine and rehabilitation residency at New York Presbyterian Hospital the University hospital for Cornell and Columbia University. He then went on to complete a sports and interventional pain fellowship at The Hospital For Special Surgery ranked #1 in orthopedics nationwide. He has over 14 years of research experience performed at the Cleveland Clinic, Massachusetts General Hospital and Hospital for Special Surgery. Dr. Mehta is Board Certified in Pain Medicine and Physical Medicine Rehabilitation. He has authored numerous peer-reviewed publications and has been invited to present at numerous national conferences. Currently, Dr. Mehta serves as editor and reviewer for Interventional Pain Medicine Reports.
Grace Hassan, NP-C
Sub-Investigator
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Grace joined META Medical Research when Dr. Mehta established the institute. She comes to us from Mercy Hospital and brings expertise in providing care for both critically ill and chronically ill patients with a focus on post-trauma care. Grace is passionate about caring for different patient populations, and patients with complicated medical conditions. She has cared for people who experienced falls, motor vehicle crash injuries, and gunshot wounds. Grace is upbeat, friendly and likes to educate and advocate for her patients.
Jacqueline Horne, NP-C
Sub-Investigator
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Jacqueline joined META Medical Research when Dr. Mehta established the institute. She comes to us from Ohio University where she graduated with honors with a Master’s of Science in Nursing degree. She has an extensive background in geriatrics, where she spent much of her career as the Director of Nursing at a Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation facility. She is kindhearted, compassionate, and responsive to the needs of her patients. When she isn’t busy in the office, she enjoys spending time with her 2 children and playing competitive volleyball year round.
Patrick Spencer, D.O.
Sub-Investigator
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Dr. Spencer joined MMRI as a sub-investigator in June of 2019 with over 10 years of clinical investigator experience. He has extensive expertise (over 30,000 procedures) in Advanced Cataract Surgery, Custom LASIK vision correction, Premium Intraocular Lens Implantation and the latest in Minimally Invasive Glaucoma Surgical (MIGS) procedures. Dr. Spencer treats and manages many eye conditions including Diabetes, Glaucoma, Macular Degeneration, Uveitis, Corneal Disease and Dry Eye. As a member of many local and national medical societies, Dr. Spencer is committed to life-long education and advancement in the field of ophthalmology. Chairman of the Ophthalmology department at Kettering’s Grandview and Southview Hospitals and with privileges at, Medical Center at Elizabeth Place, Miami Valley Ambulatory Surgical Center, Miami Valley Hospitals and West Chester Medical Center, Dr. Spencer is able to provide care throughout the Ohio Valley. Dr. Spencer is Board Certified in Ophthalmology and is the founder/owner of Iworks Laser & Vision Center in Dayton, OH.
Michael Verdon, D.O., FACOS
Sub-Investigator
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Dr. Verdon joined MMRI as a sub-investigator in 2019. He is a neurological surgeon who has been treating patients with spinal disorders for over 20 years. Dr. Verdon’s approach to neurosurgery is compassionate, and patient-centered, with a primary focus on improving his patient’s function and facilitating their ability to enjoy life.
Dr. Verdon is a Fellow of the American Osteopathic Board of Surgeons and completed his residency in Neurological Surgery at St. John/ Providence Hospital. He holds a Doctorate in Osteopathic Medicine from Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine in Erie, PA; a Masters in Physical Therapy from Wheeling Jesuit University in Wheeling, WV and a Bachelors of Business Administration from Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, CA. Dr. Verdon holds privileges at Soin Medical Center as well as an appointment as Clinical Assistant Professor of Surgery at the Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine in Dayton, OH.
Yvonne Horne, MA
Sr. QA & Finance Specialist
yhorne@metamedresearch.com
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Yvonne joined META Medical Research Institute with over 20 years of clinical, administrative, and training experience. After overseeing both clinical and administrative operations of several urgent cares, Yvonne used her longtime passion for research and quality patient care to help her urgent care facility start and manage their own research entity. Here Yvonne was instrumental in clinical trials from start to finish on both the clinical and administrative fronts.
Yvonne then helped to open and oversee several more clinical research entites and facilities. At each research facility, Yvonne participated in study feasibility, negotiated CTAs and budgets, managed regulatory affairs, served as the main point of contact for IRBS, sponsors, and regulators; trained staff, and served as a back-up clinical research coordinator (CRC).
Today, Yvonne manages the MMRI Quality Assurance Program, reviews clinical trials for accuracy, discusses and reports trial findings, and still serves as a back-up CRC. When she is not tending to her MMRI duties, Yvonne loves spending time with her grandchildren.
Pournima Shirahatti, BAMS
Clinical Research Coordinator
pshirahatti@metamedresearch.com
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Pournima joins META Medical Research with over 5 years of research experience. Before joining the clinical research world, Pournima was treating patients with a holistic approach as a holistic practitioner, where she was an expert in herbal medicine and holistic procedures to help aid in the healing of her patients. Pournima then gained experience as a regulatory specialist, and in quality assurance. As one of MMRI’s Clinical Research Coordinators, Pournima is instrumental in the success of our studies from start to finish. She corresponds with clinical and medical institutions to facilitate sponsorship opportunities, provides subjects with quality care, records and collects data for analysis, and assists in summarizing key findings. Pournima enjoys spending time with her family and socializing in her free time.