Dr. Kratochvil named to clinical research posts

Christopher Kratochvil, M.D.

Christopher Kratochvil, M.D., professor of psychiatry, has been named assistant vice chancellor for clinical research and chief medical officer of UNeHealth Corporation.

UNMC Chancellor Harold M. Maurer, M.D., announced Dr. Kratochvil’s new roles, which took effect Feb. 1.

“Chris will lead the expansion of contract-related clinical research on campus,” Dr. Maurer said. “He will have the authority to commit both UNMC and The Nebraska Medical Center to research protocols in our areas of expertise.

“This should lead to greater research opportunities for our faculty and benefits to our patients and students.”

UNeHealth Board The UNeHealth board of directors includes: President – UNMC Chancellor Vice president – dean, College of Medicine; Secretary – chairman and president of UNMC Physicians; Treasurer – vice chancellor for business and finance; and Member-at-large – chief financial officer, The Nebraska Medical Center.

UNeHealth is a not-for-profit entity formed to coordinate clinical opportunities between UNMC, UNMC Physicians and The Nebraska Medical Center. The goal of UNeHealth is to streamline all aspects of clinical research, such as contracting, IRB approval and support by clinical research associates.

UNeHealth also will provide a focus and impetus for the growth of industry-funded clinical research at UNMC, said Tom Rosenquist, Ph.D., vice chancellor for research.

“Dr. Kratochvil has a long history of successful work in clinical research and in regulatory affairs related to clinic research that makes him uniquely suited for medical director of this new enterprise,” Dr. Rosenquist said. “He has expressed great enthusiasm for this unique new position, and, under his leadership, I look forward to significant growth in our industry-sponsored trials.”

Through this new position, Dr. Kratochvil will unify and restructure the clinical research resources throughout campus to help streamline the clinical trial process for investigators.

More about Dr. Kratochvil Read about Dr. Kratochvil’s clinical research involvement in tomorrow’s UNMC Today.

He’s already met with clinical investigators, as well as the staff of Sponsored Programs, the IRB, the Clinical Research Center and the Clinical Trials Office to get a better idea of current infrastructure and identify areas to further develop resources.

“We have an outstanding opportunity to build upon our current clinical research at UNMC and NMC, while partnering with external clinical research organizations and pharmaceutical companies,” he said.