From left are Jenny Burton (Carolina First Bank), Kent Dykes (President Easley Chamber), Elizabeth Steele, Tarah Herrold, Melissa Clemons, Gary Clemons, Dr. Andras Koser (Principal Investigator), Jacob Holley, Judy Young and Karen Cole (Carolina First Bank)

The Greater Easley Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the opening of Palmetto Medical Research Associates located at 201 South B Street, Easley, 307-1300. In a time when businesses, small and large have struggled, Palmetto Medical Research Associates has been blessed with growth and development. In 2008 Gary Clemons opened the office and has seen tremendous growth since that time. Palmetto Medical Research has been one of the fastest growing new businesses in Easley. The office expanded in 2009 and purchased a new building that better suited the needs of a medical research facility. This new facility has all the necessary equipment and staff to conduct clinical trials on multiple medical conditions. They have over 300 patients and have started many of them on several studies.

Palmetto Medical Research is recognized by multiple pharmaceutical companies as a top rated research center and is constantly being recruited to conduct new studies. This allows them to select the best studies to fit the needs of the patients. They are currently enrolling patients in COPD, asthma, influenza, and diabetes studies, but are always looking for opportunities to expand into other fields of study.

Gary Clemons, Operations Manager, stated, “The health of our patients is our top priority here at Palmetto Medical Research. We provide them with quality care throughout the clinical trial at no cost. This may include investigational medications, blood work, EKGs, and physicals. They also receive compensation for time and travel at each study visit. We strive to maintain a friendly and comfortable atmosphere where our patients are able to relax. Many of our patients have participated in multiple studies with us since 2008, and in doing so, have become part of the Palmetto Medical Research family. We value our patients immensely at Palmetto Medical Research and hope that we can continue to provide new studies that fit their needs.”