Research Team
Our Gulf Breeze, Florida, Research team combines over 40 years of clinical research experience with Dr. Ben Renfroe, Dr. Weldon Mauney, and Genei Bougher, APRN. Currently conducting Phase I to IV pediatric and adult clinical research trials in pediatric neurology, pulmonology, and sleep medicine.
Ben Renfroe, MD
CEO, Medical Director
Dr. Renfroe is a native Pensacolian, who attended the University of Alabama, University of South Alabama College of Medicine, University of Minnesota, and Baylor College of Medicine. He was then honored with the E.L. “Pete” Wehner Fellowship in Epilepsy at Baylor. In 1993 he was awarded the highly competitive Victor Horsley Research Fellowship from the Epilepsy Foundation of America. He seized an opportunity to bring his skills home to northwest Florida in 1994 to begin his practice of child neurology. Since that time, the practice has grown to include four physicians and four nurse practitioners.
His practice specializes in epilepsy, cerebral palsy, spasticity, and dystonia in both adults and children.
Genei Bougher, APRN, CCRC
Vice President / Sub-Investigator
Genei Bougher, APRN is a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner and Certified Clinical Research Coordinator with more than 30 years of nursing experience. Genei began her career after receiving her BSN from Jacksonville University in 1991, caring for patients in the Bone Marrow Transplant Unit, Oncology, and Pediatric ICU at Wolfson Children’s Hospital in Jacksonville, Florida. After obtaining her MSN from the University of Florida in 1996, Genei joined Ascension Sacred Heart in Pensacola, Florida as a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, working with children in the Neonatal ICU and pediatric unit. While continuing to see patients at Ascension, Genei joined Child Neurology Center of Northwest Florida that same year, focusing on specialized care to pediatric patients with a variety of neurological disorders. Genei then co-founded Northwest Florida Clinical Research Group in 2007, where she is a sub-investigator for clinical trials focused on the areas of epilepsy, migraines, muscular dystrophy, and most recently, COVID-19. Genei and her husband reside in Gulf Breeze, Florida where she has been an active member of the community, having volunteered with her (now adult) children’s schools, St. Ann’s Catholic Church, and Boy Scouts of America. Genei continues to promote the field of clinical research by volunteering as a member of the Ascension Sacred Heart Institutional Review Board.
Weldon Mauney, MD
Principal Investigator
Dr. Weldon Mauney is a native of Houston, Texas. He attended medical school at the Unviersidad Nacional de Asunción in Paraguay. Dr. Mauney did his pediatric residency at the Ponce School of Medicine in Puerto Rico, specifically at San Luke’s Hospital of Ponce. He performed his child neurology fellowship at Louisiana State University at the Children’s Hospital in New Orleans. Dr. Mauney joined the practice of Child Neurology Center in January 2010.
In addition to general pediatric neurology, his areas of special interest include spasticity, dystonia, headaches, sports neurology, and concussion.
Shannon Swiderski, MSN, APRN
Sub-Investigator
Shannon Swiderski was born and raised in Minnesota. She moved to Alabama in 2009 and currently resides in Foley, Alabama. She attended the University of South Alabama, where she obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing and pole vaulted for the track and field team. Shannon later earned a Master’s Degree in Nursing from Chamberlain University, specializing as a Family Nurse Practitioner. Before transitioning to Child Neurology Center, she worked seven years in Pediatric ER and two years in Pediatric Inpatient.
In addition to general pediatric neurology, her areas of interest include migraines and concussion.
Rebecca Hathaway
Regulatory Specialist
Rebecca Hathaway is a Pensacola native and serves as the Regulatory Specialist for Northwest Florida Clinical Research Group. Before NWFL CRG she worked at Emerald Coast Pediatric Sleep Consultants and Child Neurology Center in the Sleep/EEG department.
In her free time she loves to ride motorcycles.Other interested include car shows for vintage vehicles and travelling.
Shezsay Colbert, MA,CCRC
Clinical Manager
Shezsay Colbert is from Louisiana. She attended Remington College in San Diego, where she obtained a Medical Assistant Diploma and was on a member of the national honor society. Shezsay later earned certificates as a Pharmacy Technician, Health Unit Coordinator, Nursing Assistant and Clinical Research Coordinator. Before transitioning to Northwest Florida Clinical Research Group, she worked at Sacred Heart Hospital.
In addition to general pediatric neurology, her areas of interest include emergency and trauma.
Alexis Preece
Regulatory Specialist
Alexis Preece is from Chocowinity, NC and is a graduate from Major Campbell University (2020) with a Bachelors of Science in Clinical Research, BSCR. She is the first of her family to graduate from University and plans to attend a Clinical Research Master’s Program in the future
Before working with RG Clinical Research Coordinator, she completed an Internship at East Carolina University and Vidant Medical Center Department of Surgery in Greenville, NC.
She is a huge animal lover and her favorite thing to do is to spend time on the beach and read. She is also an avid volleyball player. She performed at the Pro-Bowl in Hawaii in 2011 and 2012 and played in the world series for softball 18U in 2016.
Chris Young, RN
Research Nurse
Lillian Mauney
Site Interpreter
Lacretia Benjamin, BS
Finance Manager