About Us and Leadership Team

More than 20 Years of research and innovation

Since 2006, the OhioHealth Research Institute has developed a reputation as a national leader in facilitating medical breakthroughs, evaluating new procedures and exploring innovations in patient care to meet the needs of our community.

Our top research areas

OhioHealth Research Institute aims to increase access to emerging therapies that otherwise would not be available to our patients.

Our institute continues to diversify our research portfolio to support:

Oncology research through industry trials, trials supported by the National Cancer Institute.
Heart and vascular, through new industry device trials in various sub-specialties including structural heart disease, endovascular, electrophysiology and general cardiology.
Neuroscience research focused on multiple sclerosis and stroke with expansion to other therapeutic areas.

How we support clinical research

Clinical trials are carried out by a team of over 80 healthcare experts who are dedicated to connecting patients with the latest advances in care. We partner with OhioHealth clinicians and associates to allow them to:

Conduct their own clinical research by providing guidance and support services to plan, write, submit, conduct, analyze and publish research.
Facilitate grants and conduct industry or externally-sponsored clinical research at OhioHealth.
Ensure that the rights and welfare of human research participants are protected by the OhioHealth Institutional Review Board.
Provide the highest-quality, operational and regulatory support through a comprehensive centralized research infrastructure.

Meet the leadership team

Through guidance, support and expertise, our leaders foster research and make a way for health innovation.

Soun Khountham, MS, MBA, CCRP

Senior Director, Research Operations & Authorized Organization Representative (AOR)
Soun.Khountham@OhioHealth.com

Soun has two decades of experience in research administration, financial operations, and program optimization. She’s held a variety of leadership roles overseeing multi-disciplinary teams and leading transformational initiatives for many organizations. Prior to joining the OhioHealth Research Institute, Soun led research operations for Ohio State University’s Drug Development Institute and has directed research for biotech startups, academia, contract research organizations, and industry sponsors. She has a background in biomedical engineering and received her MBA from Boston University.

Sandra Sarafin, BA, CCRP

Director, Research Business Services
Sandra.Sarafin@OhioHealth.com

Sandra has more than twenty years of experience overseeing research finance and contracts at The Ohio State University’s Comprehensive Cancer Center (CCC-James), Center for Clinical Research Management (CCRM), Office of Contracts Development, and clinical data management at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. Most recently she served as Director of Contracts and Budgets for Headlands Research. Sandra enjoys building teams, determining best practices, and creating processes that streamline timelines while maximizing opportunities. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her extensive family, reading, and traveling.

Jennifer Sexton, MHA

Director, Research Operations
Jennifer.Sexton@OhioHealth.com

Jennifer has nearly two decades of experience working in medical research as a laboratory assistant, research coordinator and operations leader. Prior to joining OhioHealth Research Institute in 2017, she worked in oncology research at the Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center. Jennifer received a Master’s of Health Administration and a Bachelor’s of Science in Psychology from Ohio State. In her free time she enjoys reading, hiking, camping, watching college sports and taking beach vacations.

Chris Belcher, BSN RN

Director, Research Operations
Christina.Belcher@OhioHealth.com

Christina joined OhioHealth Research Institute (OHRI) in 2012 as a clinical research coordinator and currently oversees clinical research operations for the OHRI. She received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from Otterbein College. Prior to working in clinical research, she worked as a bedside nurse providing care to cardiovascular patients. She is a twenty- year associate with OhioHealth. In her free time, she enjoys outside activities, cooking, reading, decorating and spending time with family.

Connie Melton

Executive Assistant
Connie.Melton@OhioHealth.com

Connie has over 40 years of experience assisting executives, physicians, corporate leaders and teams at OhioHealth. In her downtime she enjoys travel, time with family and friends, and walking her dog.