SCRS Talks: Recent Episodes
Society for Clinical Research Sites
SCRS Talks is a platform for sites to hear about valuable information from SCRS members and partners. These short interviews will provide insight into key industry topics, current events, new perspectives, and exciting opportunities.
In this episode, Jimmy sits down with Brian Burkhardt of the Oliver Patch Project and Andy Shepherd of Project Outrun to talk about the Patchwork Collective, a growing coalition of pediatric oncology advocacy organizations working to bridge the gap between families battling childhood cancer and the clinical trial world. From a "Pharma at the Table" activation at SCOPE to the upcoming Patches & Pairs launch at Give Kids The World, Brian and Andy share how relationship-building and education are the keys to advancing pediatric representation in clinical research.
Jimmy Bechtel sits down with Kimberly Staeck, Head of Global Site Partnerships and Trial Enablement Solutions at Syneos Health, to dig into what it really means to treat sites as partners rather than execution engines.
Kimberly brings two decades of operational and partnership experience to a conversation that gets honest about where the industry falls short. They cover why sites have learned to tell the difference between being heard and actually listened to, what closing the feedback loop looks like in practice, and why early site involvement in protocol development is a risk mitigation strategy, not a delay. Kimberly also makes a case for shifting away from activity-based metrics and toward shared outcomes that reflect the real health of a partnership.
The throughline is simple: when sites feel valued and supported, patients get better care, staff stay in the field longer, and trials perform. If your organization is serious about moving from transactional to transformational site relationships, this one is worth your time.
Jimmy Bechtel sits down with Brooklyn Montgomery, Business Development Director at Deep Intelligent Pharma (DIP), to explore how agentic AI is reshaping the way clinical research sites operate. Brooklyn breaks down where AI delivers real value for physician-led research, what meaningful adoption actually looks like at the site level, and the three questions every site should answer before spending a dollar on AI tools. The conversation also covers how mentorship and technology work together to close the gap between academic research and clinical execution, and where sites are headed as they move from execution partners to upstream contributors in trial design.
Disclaimer: The content of this article reflects interview perspectives and is intended for general informational purposes only. It does not constitute any commitment, representation, or guarantee regarding the performance or outcomes of any product or service. Actual results may vary depending on factors including, but not limited to, study design, data quality, regulatory requirements, and implementation conditions.
Kathy Cox and Ryan Johnsen of Interspond discuss how their platform CROWN is reshaping the study feasibility process for clinical research sites. Rather than sites waiting to be contacted, CROWN puts the power in their hands with a web-based marketplace where they can browse opportunities, manage their profile, and respond to time-sensitive requests all in one place. The result is a smarter, less disruptive feasibility experience built with sites at the center.
In this episode of SCRS Talks, Jimmy Bechtel sits down with Sean Stanton, Founder and CEO of K2 Medical Research, and Christian Burns, Founder and President of Populus Health, to explore how their two organizations are working together to advance CNS drug development. With decades of combined experience across psychiatry, neurology, and neurodegeneration, Sean and Christian discuss what makes CNS trials uniquely challenging, what it takes to earn and maintain trust with sponsors and CROs, and why communication is just as critical as performance metrics. They also share their outlook on the future of the space, from biomarkers and precision health to the growing potential of psychedelics across therapeutic areas, and why CNS research feels less like a job and more like a mission.
In this episode of SCRS Talks, Jimmy Bechtel sits down with Donna Cryer, Chief Patient Officer at Cryer Health and active FDA patient advocate, to explore the critical difference between patient inclusion and patient leadership in drug development. Drawing on her own lifelong experience as a patient, Donna makes the case for why having patients in real positions of authority is not just a values statement but a strategic necessity, especially as AI becomes more embedded in every stage of the research process. From AI governance and model training to the risks of replacing human experience with simulated data, this conversation challenges the industry to stop treating patients as an afterthought and start building their perspectives into the foundation of how research gets done.
AI is moving fast, and research sites are feeling the pressure to keep up. But before diving in, there are some foundational questions every site should be asking. Jimmy sits down with Marc Wartenberger, VP of Compliance and Security at CRIO, to break down what a defensible AI validation approach actually looks like, why under-documentation is the most common compliance mistake sites are making right now, and what the January 2026 FDA and EMA joint guidance means for day-to-day site operations. If your site is anywhere on the AI journey, this one is worth your time.
Josh Stent, CEO of Momentum Clinical Research, joins Jimmy Bechtel to share how his 19-site network in Australia and New Zealand is using AI and automation to cut administrative burden, improve data accuracy, and get more time back for patients. From centralized data reporting to automated invoicing and smarter recruitment funnels, this episode breaks down what practical AI adoption actually looks like at the site level.
The rare disease space is often overlooked, but it may be the most important laboratory we have for the future of medicine. Jimmy sits down with Rob Freishtat, board member of the Foundation for mRNA Medicines, to talk about what is actually driving collaboration between academic institutions and industry, what a changing regulatory landscape means for sites, and why financial viability and patient access are not as opposed as people think. Tune in now.
What happens when a research site gets so frustrated with disconnected systems that they decide to build their own? In this episode, Jimmy Bechtel sits down with Brian Hunter, COO, and Florin Petrutiu, CIO of Site Centric, to hear exactly that story. Born out of CNS Healthcare over 18 years ago, Site Centric has evolved from an internal workaround into a full CTMS platform now available to sites everywhere. Brian and Florin share how their hands-on site experience shaped every corner of the platform, how they're integrating AI tools without adding operational burden, and why becoming an SCRS Global Impact Partner felt like a natural next step.
What does it actually mean to be a sponsor of choice? In this episode, Jimmy Bechtel sits down with Carrie Lewis and Suzy Montanye from Keenova to find out. The two share how the newly formed company, born from the merger of Mallinckrodt and Endo, is building a site partnership model grounded in accountability, transparency, and real feedback. From their site operational advisory board to a dedicated site relationship manager role, Keenova is making the case that mid-sized sponsors can operate like industry leaders.
Jimmy Bechtel sits down with John Worden, Chief Commercial Officer at Javara, to explore how AI-driven data analysis is moving clinical research and patient care away from one-size-fits-all medicine toward truly personalized treatment pathways. They discuss how embedded research sites inside healthcare systems are uniquely positioned to put these tools to work, what end-to-end data integration means for feasibility, patient identification, and long-term outcomes, and why scaling AI in healthcare is ultimately less of a technology problem and more of a trust and collaboration problem. John also shares a real-world example of how the research process led to a life-changing diagnosis for a patient who almost slipped through the cracks.
Jimmy Bechtel sits down with Dr. Anastasia Christianson, former senior innovation leader at Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson, to talk about what a real AI strategy actually looks like in clinical research. They dig into why isolated pilots fall short, how to think about AI as a process change rather than a tool add-on, and where the biggest missed opportunities are right now. Dr. Christianson also shares her take on navigating evolving regulations and paints a picture of where clinical trials are headed over the next three to five years, including a future where no trial launches without first being simulated end to end.
Every site absorbs costs that never show up in a budget. Coordinator overtime, screen failures, startup inefficiencies, technology burden — these aren't edge cases, they're everyday realities. And over time, they're what push good investigators out of research for good. Lauren Stockwell sits down with Mike Pierre, Project Manager at SCRS, to talk about the Hidden Costs Workshop, why it was created, and what sites, sponsors, and CROs actually walk away with after four hours in that room together. If you have ever struggled to justify a budget line or wondered why your numbers never seem to add up, this one is for you.
Jimmy Bechtel sits down with Kristen Bosse, VP of Product Development at CRIO, and Samir Jain, VP of Product Management at Medidata, to talk about a collaboration that has been a long time coming. Together they break down why eSource to EDC integration has historically been out of reach for dedicated research sites, what has made it so hard to do at scale, and how their joint solution is changing that. They also get into what sites actually gain when manual data transcription is taken off their plate and what the path to getting started looks like for sites running CRIO on Rave today.
Cybersecurity threats are becoming more sophisticated, and research sites are not immune. In this episode, Jimmy Bechtel sits down with Anders Lindquist, Senior Manager of Research Site Enablement at LabCorp, to break down the most pressing digital security risks facing clinical research sites today. Anders shares how human behavior is at the core of most cyber breaches, what red flags to watch for in emails and text messages, and the practical steps sites can take right now to strengthen their defenses, even with limited resources. From phishing simulations to multi-factor authentication, this conversation is a must-listen for anyone looking to better protect their site and the patients they serve.
In this episode, Jimmy Bechtel sits down with KimberLee Heidmann, Executive Vice President of Quality and Regulatory at Scout, to discuss the financial and administrative challenges clinical research sites face when managing patient payments and reimbursements. They explore how cash flow gaps impact site operations, why sites are adding overhead fees to contracts, and the burden of unexpected participant costs. KimberLee shares practical insights on how service providers like Scout can remove these pressures by handling logistics and payment services directly, allowing sites to focus their time and resources on what they do best: conducting trials and caring for patients. This conversation offers a fresh perspective on streamlining site operations and improving the trial ecosystem for everyone involved.
Sustainability in clinical research does not have to be overwhelming. In this episode of SCRS Talks, Lauren Stockwell is joined by Paula Underhill of PPD part of Thermo Fisher Scientific and Clare Grace, CEO of EMS Healthcare and the 2025 Excellence in Site Sustainability Award recipient. Claire walks through the concrete changes EMS implemented across its mobile unit model, including solar integration, employee-led sustainability committees, and science-based targets aligned with the Paris Agreement. Paula adds context on what the judging panel found compelling and how CROs can serve as true sustainability partners rather than just cheerleaders. Whether your site is just getting started or well on its way, this conversation will leave you with a clear message: start small, start now.
Jimmy Bechtel sits down with Jeff Zucker, Chief Development Officer, and Brandon Lenfest, Regional Director at Tekton Research, to dig into what makes CNS and neuroscience trials uniquely challenging for sites. They cover why patient identification in this space requires a completely different approach, the often overlooked but critical role caregivers play, and what sites can do to keep patients engaged through the full length of a study. Jeff and Brandon also get into the balancing act of providing empathetic care while managing placebo response, and share practical advice for sites considering making the move into CNS research for the first time.
Dana Kudrnova from Novotech shares proven strategies to accelerate study startup by overcoming regulatory and administrative bottlenecks. Learn how data-driven KPIs, mandatory templates, and unified technology transform unpredictable timelines into streamlined milestones. Dana emphasizes that while AI provides speed, active ownership and human oversight are what truly prevent document delays. This episode highlights why proactive communication between CRAs and sites is the secret to surfacing issues early and moving from site selection to first patient dosed more efficiently.
Jimmy Bechtel talks with Darcy Forman, COO of Lightship, about how hybrid site models can reduce operational risk in clinical trials. They discuss matching visit types to the right setting (clinic, home, or mobile), lessons learned from the pandemic's rapid shift to decentralized trials, and how to maintain strong investigator oversight across different delivery models. Darcy shares practical insights on what it takes to implement flexible approaches successfully, including the importance of investigator buy-in, standardized processes, and building trust-based relationships between sites, sponsors, and CROs.
Lauren Chazal, Chief Business Development Officer at Headlands Research, shares insights on growing from individual research sites to a 23-center network while preserving local culture and patient focus. Learn how Headlands maintains site identity during expansion, implements strategies for reaching diverse patient populations, and addresses the business realities sponsors often overlook. Lauren offers practical advice for site leaders on sustainable growth, selecting the right network partner, and maintaining a patient-centered mission at the core of operations as the industry continues to evolve and consolidate.
What makes patient voice sessions the most impactful part of every SCRS summit? Jade Tuttle from Syneos Health breaks down what she learned from featuring patients at four summits in 2025. The recurring theme? There are still massive gaps in our systems, but sites that adapt proactively and deliver emotionally intelligent trials create transformative patient experiences. Jade shares standout stories, explains why regulatory bodies are increasingly mandating patient-centric practices, and reveals the measurable business case for patient-informed trials. She challenges the industry to move beyond reactive approaches and partner with patient advocacy organizations early in trial design. Learn how to turn "patient-centricity" from a buzzword into real, tangible practice.
What if patients could participate in clinical trials from their living room instead of driving hours to a site? Tyler Van Horn, CEO of Science 37, explains how their direct-to-patient site model works. With one site covering all 50 states, Science 37 sends research-grade nurses to patients' homes, ships investigational products directly to participants, and uses telemedicine for investigator oversight. Tyler breaks down how they maintain quality (they've passed three FDA inspections with no findings), manage the logistics of home visits, educate sponsors on this approach, and create a high-touch patient experience that leads to better retention rates. If you've been curious about how decentralized trials actually work in practice or how to reach patients in research deserts, this conversation is for you.
Clinical trials are innovating fast, but what happens when new tools, models, and processes are layered onto sites without alignment? In this episode, Stacey Davidson, Head of Content and Strategy at Cuttsy+Cuttsy, joins us to unpack The Site Factor, a report built on insights from 100 site staff across the globe. Stacey shares what sites revealed about recruitment challenges, communication gaps with sponsors and CROs, and why 86% of site staff say additional communication training would be valuable. From the operational frictions that quietly drive patient dropout to the feedback loops that don't exist yet, this conversation highlights where small changes can make a big impact. Because when we protect the site experience, we protect the participant experience too.
Download The Site Factor here: https://www.cuttsyandcuttsy.com/the-site-factor-report
Clinical trials need flexibility, but most systems are rigid. Conor Garrett from Scout Clinical explains how they built flexibility into every layer of their patient payment and travel logistics services. From customizable portals that adapt to site preferences to a 24/7 patient liaison team that steps in when flights get canceled or payment issues arise, Scout's approach is people first, technology enabled. Conor shares why technology supports the process but people support the experience, how they listen to site feedback and actually implement changes, and real scenarios where human intervention prevented patient dropouts. Learn why balancing automation with human touch matters and how flexible systems remove friction so sites can focus on what matters most.
Kathy Kohler, Vice President of Customer Success at Suvoda, discusses the strategic merger between Suvoda and Greenphire and what it means for sites and patients. Learn how bringing randomization, trial supply management, and clinical trial payments together on one platform reduces site burden, eliminates fragmented technology, and creates smoother patient journeys. Kathy shares specific capabilities, including automated payments, streamlined workflows, and single sign-on access, while reinforcing Suvoda's ongoing commitment to site advocacy and listening to the voice of the clinical research community.
Claire Sears of EMS Healthcare and Almenia Garvey of Allucent join us to discuss what makes the European Site Solutions Summit truly unique. As the newly appointed co-chairs, they share what excites them most about leading this site-centric event and why bringing sites, sponsors, and CROs together in one room drives real solutions. From AI implementation and ICH E6(R3) to contract negotiations and site resilience, discover the pressing challenges European sites face and how the summit's agenda equips attendees with practical takeaways they can implement immediately. If you've been wondering whether this investment is worth your time, hear directly from two industry leaders about the unfettered access, solution-focused sessions, and networking opportunities that set this conference apart. Join us March 2-3, 2026 in Amsterdam, Netherlands.
Jane Hiatt, Executive Director of Clinical Operations at Merck, shares insights into why sites have recognized Merck as Sponsor of the Year for four consecutive years. Learn how Merck prioritizes site partnerships through active listening, transparent communication, and operational improvements including query simplification, streamlined payments, and technology solutions that address real site needs. Jane discusses specific initiatives that reduce site burden and explores how Merck plans to continue evolving relationships with sites while leveraging emerging technologies like AI and machine learning.
Joshua Carey and Blair Stevens from Emeritus Research, recipients of the 2025 Site Spark Award, share the story behind their custom-built education resource library designed to empower staff, strengthen confidence, and improve knowledge retention. Hear why learner-focused training matters, how creativity can coexist with regulatory rigor, and what other clinical research sites can take away from building training solutions in-house.
Mohammad Millwala, CEO of DM Clinical Research and 2025 Christine K. Pierre Impact Award recipient, joins SCRS Honorary President David Vulcano to unpack the most pressing challenges clinical research sites are navigating today.
New findings from the 2025 SCRS Global Landscape Survey show protocol complexity topping the list, persistent communication gaps affecting most sites, and ongoing difficulty connecting with patient communities. Together, these leaders offer grounded solutions, including using risk scores to evaluate protocols, tapping existing healthcare infrastructure for recruitment, and rethinking assumptions about research-naive investigators.
Listen now for a clear view of what sites are really facing and the ideas gaining momentum across the industry.
Join Dr. Michael Koren, CEO and Executive Director of MedEvidence, to explore how education and transparency can reshape the public’s understanding of clinical research. Dr. Koren shares his passion for putting patient welfare first and highlights how Med Evidence empowers individuals to make informed decisions about participating in trials. He discusses the importance of building trust, breaking down misconceptions, and helping communities see research as a valuable care option. Tune in to discover how storytelling, visibility, and patient engagement are helping redefine the relationship between the public and clinical research.
Sit down with Kate Shaw, Founder and CEO of Innovative Trials, to explore how humanized, bespoke approaches are reshaping patient recruitment and retention in clinical research. Kate breaks down the difference between one-to-one, in-country support and automated recruitment systems, showing how local expertise and cultural understanding can dramatically improve trial outcomes. You’ll also hear how the Patient Support Center and dedicated patient navigators guide participants step by step, ensuring they feel informed, respected, and cared for throughout the trial. This episode uncovers how personalized strategies not only boost recruitment success but also lighten the load for sites and create a more meaningful patient experience.
Discover how stronger CRO–site partnerships are reshaping clinical trials with Scott Palmese, Executive Director of Site-Focused Solutions at Worldwide Clinical Trials. He shares why listening to sites, reducing burdens, and building trust are game-changers for successful clinical research. Tune in to learn how rethinking these relationships through transparency and communication empowers sites and fuels faster, more successful trials.
Join Kevin Cooley and Ashley Patil from Scout to explore how innovative technology is transforming the patient reimbursement process in clinical trials. They discuss the most common administrative challenges sites face, and how tools like the Scout Portal are easing the burden on site staff while improving the patient experience. From automated payments and travel coordination to real-time support and multilingual access, this episode highlights the power of combining tech and service. If your site is looking to save time, reduce friction, and improve retention, this conversation is for you.
Ready to rethink the role of training in clinical research? Joseph Kim, Chief Strategy Officer at ProofPilot explores why traditional training models often miss the mark and how shifting from compliance-based checkboxes to performance-driven guidance can boost site effectiveness. Drawing insights from the recent SCRS West Conference, Joe shares practical strategies—like just-in-time guidance, sandbox simulations, and scenario-based learning—to transform how sites prepare for and conduct trials. If you've ever questioned the value of slide-deck overload, this conversation is a must-listen.
How can clinical research move beyond one-time community outreach to build lasting relationships that advance health equity? Kristin Tolbert of Jumo Health shares how grassroots partnerships and sustained engagement are reshaping patient participation in trials. Drawing from the recent Health Equity Congress, she discusses why this work is more urgent than ever, offering practical strategies to build trust, measure impact, and ensure community voices are meaningfully included in clinical trials.
Jen Stacy, Director of Clinical Operations at Novotech, shares how building trust and alignment with your CRA from the outset leads to smoother study execution and better results.
With a background as a nurse and site coordinator, Jen brings a site-centric perspective to common challenges like delayed payments, protocol deviations, and data quality concerns. Learn actionable best practices that CROs and sites can implement to strengthen collaboration and ensure compliance across the full trial lifecycle.
A powerful new partnership is transforming clinical trial budgeting. Join Medidata’s Tina Mincher and NIHR's Laura Bousfield as they dive into the evolution of the UK’s Interactive Costing Tool (iCT) and its integration into Medidata’s Grant Manager platform—unlocking new levels of standardization, transparency, and efficiency. With growing international interest, they discuss global collaborations like the Global Costing Task Force and how this initiative is setting the stage for data-driven, cross-border harmonization in clinical research operations.
Join Amy Franco, Senior Director of Patient Liaisons at Scout, to explore how prioritizing patient satisfaction can lead to improved clinical trial outcomes. Amy shares Scout’s unique approach to easing the burden on both patients and sites through personalized travel coordination, reimbursements, and around-the-clock support.
She highlights how arranging transportation or reimbursing for childcare can make trials more accessible and reduce dropout rates. The conversation also dives into how Scout’s global patient liaison team and portal technology streamline administrative tasks for sites. Tune in to learn how a patient- and site-centric approach can transform trial success.
Veeva's VP of Strategy, Bree Burks, reveals the strategic vision behind their groundbreaking free CTMS platform—a bold move designed to democratize technology access for clinical research sites of all sizes. Discover why Veeva prioritizes site success through standardization and simplicity, and how selecting the right technology partnerships can empower sites to scale operations and thrive.
Early investment in proper training doesn't just benefit new staff—it strengthens your entire organization and the research ecosystem. SCRS is ready to tackle industry-wide training gaps, transforming research assistants, coordinators, and business teams into confident contributors. Learn how this foundational knowledge accelerates success and helps your team navigate challenges with clarity and purpose.
Save your seat today for the hands-on "Back to Basics" workshop at the Global Site Solutions Summit this September in Orlando. This intensive training equips research newcomers with must-have skills to thrive in clinical trials.
Sit down with Rick Ward, Chief Commercial Officer at CRIO, to discuss the emerging concept of central eSource in clinical research. Rick explains how this model, which builds on the traditional eSource framework, can enhance standardization, streamline data collection, and reduce the burden of manual transcription. The conversation highlights the importance of site-driven technology, the flexibility required for real-world implementation, and the need for strong support infrastructure. Explore how CRIO’s approach is reshaping source documentation and creating new opportunities for both sites and sponsors.
Clinical research in Europe presents unique challenges, from navigating country-specific regulations to addressing language barriers and patient travel logistics. Scout’s Moisha Platto and Courtney Dodge share how tailored solutions are enhancing clinical trial efficiency across Europe and what this means for sites, sponsors, and patients. Hear strategies for improving patient engagement, streamlining reimbursements, and ensuring compliance with regional regulations.
SCRS’s Karri Venn takes a deep dive into the current state of clinical research coordinator salaries with Stacie Merritt, Director at Ascension St. John Clinical Research Institute. We analyze compensation trends, including salary ranges and bonuses, and how organizations can remain competitive in a rapidly evolving job market. Learn how sites of all sizes and types are compensating their workforce and the key factors influencing coordinator pay. Don’t miss this essential conversation packed with data-driven insights to help your site refine its compensation strategy, improve staff retention, and stay ahead in a competitive workforce landscape.
Clinical trials must represent the communities they serve—and the SCRS IncluDE Program is equipping research sites to make that a reality. In this episode, SCRS' Kathy Mickel sits down with Kim Ribeiro, IncluDE Program co-chair, to discuss how sites and industry partners can make trials more accessible to all communities. We tackle the importance of staying focused on the science, cutting through the noise, and having real conversations about what’s working (and what’s not). Tune in to hear why the IncluDE Site Solutions Summit is a must-attend event for sites, sponsors, and solution providers—and how you can be part of the collective shaping the future of representative research.
Megan Gross, Associate Director of Clinical Site Services at AiCure, shares how innovative strategies and AI-driven solutions are shaping the future of patient-centric clinical research. We explore common barriers to medication compliance, the role of trust and engagement, and how AI-powered technology can enhance adherence. Hear practical interventions that sites can implement to support participant adherence, engagement and retention.
David Vulcano, SCRS Honorary President, breaks down the recent ICH GCP R6 E3 revisions and explores their practical impact on clinical research sites. He discusses key topics such as the decentralization of trials, updated record retention guidelines, and the rising importance of digital health technologies and cybersecurity. David highlights that, although there’s considerable hype and some uncertainties, the new guidelines generally codify existing practices rather than overhaul them. The episode serves as a practical guide for sites to align their operations with both local regulatory requirements and the updated GCP standards while maintaining an open dialogue with sponsors and CROs.
Mike Stratton, President of CSSi, an Elixia company, discusses best practices for building trust and transparency with clinical trial participants. Mike shares the impact of trust-building initiatives and patient-centric communication on retention, medication adherence, and overall trial success. Tune in to hear how CSSi is reshaping patient engagement—ensuring participants feel valued, informed, and supported every step of the way.
Rani Khetarpal, Executive Lead at TSTrials, discusses their recent collaboration with SCRS as a Global Impact Partner. TSTrials, a South American site management organization, specializes in infectious disease, oncology, and rare disease trials. Rani highlights their success in patient retention through innovative navigation programs and their vision to position South America as a key destination for global clinical trials.
Dr. William (Bill) Smith, CEO of Alliance for Multispecialty Research (AMR) and the 2024 Christine K. Pierre Site Impact Award winner, unpacks the industry's biggest challenges—from investigator shortages to study oversaturation—and why site advocacy is more critical than ever. With over 40 years in clinical trials, he reflects on SCRS Founder Christine K. Pierre’s lasting legacy and how he continues to amplify the site voice in research.
Adam Kinsey, Associate VP of Clinical Operations at Merck, shares the site-focused initiatives that earned Merck the Eagle Award for three years in a row. Discover how Merck stands out through transparency, site support, and initiatives like streamlined site payments and protocol simplification. Tune in for insights on how industry partners can adopt similar strategies to improve site partnerships and clinical trial success.
Scout is on a mission to alleviate logistical and financial burdens for patients globally. Courtney Dodge, Executive Director of Strategic Initiatives at Scout, shares insights on Scout’s recent partnership with SCRS and practical advice for sponsors and sites to strengthen patient-centered strategies and reduce participation barriers. Learn how Scout is driving patient-centric strategies through personalized travel solutions, financial support, and meeting logistics.
Jonathan Gardow, VP of Business Development at FOMAT Medical Research, shares insights into the strategies that earned FOMAT recognition for their patient-centric approach to clinical research. Hear about FOMAT’s innovative use of AI-powered tools like their virtual assistant "Lucy," AI-driven voiceovers, and automated text messaging to enhance patient engagement and retention. Learn how these technologies streamline operations, build trust, and boost efficiency while preserving meaningful human connections. Additionally, Jonathan explores the expanding role of AI in clinical trials, offering practical advice for sites looking to adopt emerging solutions.
In this episode, SCRS takes a deep dive into some of the most pressing challenges that clinical trial sites are confronting in 2025. Join us as we explore the current state of site payments, workforce trends, diverse recruitment, and the growing role of technology-enabled trials. We’ll unpack the reasons behind these challenges, from payment terms and reimbursement struggles to the complexities of diversity and technology adoption. Tune in as we discuss how to break through these barriers and create a more inclusive, sustainable and innovative future for clinical trials.
Join Jena Daniels, VP of Customer Value at Medable, as she shares how Medable is transforming clinical trials through patient-centric innovation. Jena shares insights on the value of Medable's Patient Caregiver Network, strategic partnerships with organizations like Rare Patient Voice, and their commitment to supporting research sites.
Tune in to learn how Medable is improving the clinical trial experience for patients, caregivers, and sites alike by incorporating patient and site feedback into their products.
Learn how mobile research units and personalized transportation are transforming access for rural and underserved communities with Dr. Jyoti Angal, Director of Clinical Research at Avera Research Institute (ARI). Dr. Angal discusses the power of intentional recruitment and community outreach to foster inclusion and trust in clinical trials, earning them the 2024 SCRS Excellence in Patient Inclusion Award. Don't miss expert advice on making clinical research more inclusive and engaging, with strategies to elevate your site's patient recruitment and retention efforts.
In this episode of SCRS Talks, we welcome Rob Hummel, COO and co-founder of Suvoda, to discuss Suvoda’s new role as an SCRS Global Impact Partner. Rob shares insights into Suvoda’s mission to simplify clinical trials for sites and patients through cutting-edge technology. He highlights how Suvoda’s unified platform — featuring core products like eConsent, IRT, eCOA, and ePatient — helps drive greater efficiencies at sites. Rob also offers a look into how artificial intelligence is shaping the future by reducing administrative burdens and allowing sites to focus more on patient care.
Alyssa Boschen, Regional Site Director at IMA Clinical Research, discusses the growing challenge of investigator shortages and how it impacts clinical research studies. Alyssa highlights how advanced practice providers (APPs), such as physician assistants and nurse practitioners, are stepping in to help bridge the gap as investigators. Discover how these medical professionals support research site operations and find new career opportunities in clinical research.
Join Dustin Owen, CEO of Elixia, as he discusses the company's unique Clinical Site Organization (CSO) model and its role in successful clinical trials. With a focus on enhancing patient recruitment and delivering quality data, Elixia is reshaping how trials are managed in complex therapeutic areas like nephrology and psychiatry. Discover their innovative strategies for boosting trial efficiency and overcoming common enrollment challenges with agile site management.
According to the Center for Information and Study on Clinical Research Participation (CISCRP), traveling to a clinical study is the top reason trial participation is disruptive for patients. Learn more about the complexities of patient travel in clinical trials and what the industry is doing about it with Chris Benevides, Director of Patient Travel Services at Elligo Health Research®. Chris offers valuable insights on early planning, risk mitigation, and specialized travel services that can set up sites for success. Discover how travel support can improve patient recruitment and retention, making clinical trials more diverse, accessible, and patient-friendly.
Discover how patient-finding technology is revolutionizing the way sites identify eligible patients for research studies, streamlining manual processes, and unlocking the potential of electronic health records. Stephen Jasperse from IQVIA and Michal Janota from St. Anne's University Hospital discuss the challenges and breakthroughs with implementing this innovative solution. Explore the benefits of utilizing patient finder technology beyond patient recruitment, including data insights, research support, and improved patient outcomes.
In this episode, Dr. Christine Senn, Senior Vice President of Site/Sponsor Innovation at Advarra, explores the challenges of study startup and the risks posed by working in isolation. She emphasizes the power of moving from siloed processes to integrated collaborations between sponsors, CROs, and sites. Through real-world examples, Dr. Senn demonstrates how this collaborative approach is driving results in healthcare — accelerating timelines, reducing costs, and ultimately improving patient access to clinical trials.
Rare disease trials come with unique challenges, and independent research sites are well-equipped to tackle them. Hamish Baird and Jennifer Botte of Remington-Davis discuss the role of independent sites in rare disease trials and their logistical and operational challenges when executing complex studies. Tune in to hear about effective strategies for patient recruitment, site-sponsor collaboration, and the benefits of flexible, patient-focused approaches in rare disease research.
As technology drives breakthroughs in clinical research, it's also transforming how clinical trials are managed. Join Clay Williams, Vice President of Mobile Applications at Greenphire, to learn how their platform GreenSpace is simplifying clinical trial participation. From submitting receipts to tracking reimbursements, hear how GreenSpace removes barriers for both participants and sites, and how it’s impacting projects like the Metastatic Breast Cancer Alliance's patient registry.
Rosie McKellar, CEO of the Pacific Clinical Research Network (PCRN) New Zealand, shares insights from her organization’s innovative network partners model and their deep commitment to patient outcomes. PCRN’s efficient recruitment strategies and speedy trial execution have positioned New Zealand as a key player in global clinical research. Rosie also discusses PCRN’s collaboration with SCRS as a Global Impact Partner and what’s next for clinical research in New Zealand and Australia.
Join us as we welcome new SCRS team member Lauren Stockwell, Content and Engagement Manager, with an insightful conversation about the value of mentorship in the clinical research community. Lauren shares her passion for empowering the next generation of clinical research professionals, highlighting SCRS's newly launched Mentorship Program. Explore how purposeful mentorship can elevate site professionals both personally and professionally, and offer practical tips on how site members can get involved. Tune in to learn how SCRS is creating meaningful connections to support the growth and success of site professionals!
Leigh Burgess, CEO and founder of Bold Industries Group, reveals how applying design thinking can transform clinical research operations. Learn how radical prioritization and the innovative D90 framework can help organizations cut through complexity, enhance teamwork, and accelerate trial results — delivering more efficient outcomes for patients and stakeholders alike.
Michelle Ray, Director of Customer Success with Greenphire, explores the challenges that delayed payments pose to research site sustainability. Michelle highlights key issues like the burden of delayed payments on site operations and recruitment, the complexity of invoicing, and the role of technology in simplifying payment workflows. Learn how innovating payment systems can streamline financial processes, creating a more sustainable future for sites, patients, and sponsors alike.
Renuka Agarwal, CEO and co-founder of UpTrials, is revolutionizing site workforce challenges. Renuka shares the inspiration behind founding UpTrials, and how the platform is making a significant impact by matching research sites with skilled candidates. Learn how UpTrials is streamlining the hiring process, improving time-to-fill rates, and bringing much-needed innovation to clinical research hiring processes.
UpTrials is AI-driven software designed to help clinical research employers hire top talent quickly. The platform algorithmically matches employers with prescreened candidates who have clinical research experience, training, or transferable skills, covering roles from coordinators to site leadership. Employers can contact UpTrials at info@uptrials.com, and job seekers can sign up at app.uptrials.com.
In this episode, we'll explore the transformative power of collaboration and advocacy in the pursuit of life-altering treatments. Meike Madelung from IQVIA's EMEA Thought Leadership team takes us through a compelling case study featuring the AKU Society and its groundbreaking efforts in combating Alkaptonuria. Learn how patient organizations can help accelerate recruitment for rare disease trials.
Input from research sites is essential for developing clinical technologies that are practical, efficient, user-friendly, and aligned with the real-world needs and challenges of trials. Understanding this need, Medidata Solutions hosted an interactive Site Tech Board through SCRS to learn how to improve their technology and processes directly from sites. Tune in as Robin Douglas, Vice President of Research Site Engagement at Medidata, highlights how the organization is creating a better experience for sites and patients through this feedback.
Ophthalmology, a medical specialty focusing on the structure, function, and diseases of the eye, has a growing role in on-ophthalmic studies. Jessica Mackenzie Hayes, Vice President of Life Sciences at 20/20 Onsite, shares common challenges sites face with trial-related eye assessments and how to accurately budget for these types of services. Tune in to learn how 20/20 Onsite is making ophthalmology research more accessible to sites and patients through mobile services.
Celebrate clinical trial innovation with Catherine Pitman, Lead Research Nurse at University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust, recipient of the 2023 European Site Spark award. Catherine shares how the pandemic brought on new opportunities to enable more accessible clinical trials through the launch of a Mobile Research Unit (MRU). Hear how her organization's passion brought on new ideas and resolutions to problems created during the pandemic, and ultimately led to Plymouth Research and Development earning the Site Spark award.
Michelle Hartman, Director and Owner of South Broward Research, speaks with David Unger, Director of Operational Excellence and Site Payment Lead at Merck, about tackling clinical research site payment delays. David shares how Merck identified and addressed key challenges in their payment processes, leading to more timely payments and improved site satisfaction. Hear how Merck implemented various strategies including system upgrades, process simplifications, and better communication with sites. Learn how your organization can strive for continuous improvement and collaboration to enhance site payment efficiency.
Did you miss SCRS West: Clinical Tech & Innovation Summit? Hear some highlights from the discussions – hot topics, what sites are experiencing, and what's next for trial tech. SCRS Honorary President, David Vulcano, shares key insights from the Summit on how sites and industry partners can navigate tech challenges and optimize collaborative operations.
This episode features Thad Wolfram, President of EmVenio Research. As EmVenio joins the SCRS Global Impact Program (GIP), Thad shines light on EmVenio’s dedication to providing clinical trial access for underrepresented and underserved communities. The episode further touches on the importance of diversity, community, and how localized data can help expand a clinical trial's international footprint.
Hidden costs remain a persistent challenge for clinical research sites. With over two decades of experience, SCRS Project Manager Mike Pierre discusses the evolution of hidden costs, the ongoing efforts by SCRS to address them, and the launch of a Hidden Costs workshop.
Whether you're a site owner, budget negotiator, or industry sponsor, this episode provides valuable insights into the complexities of clinical trial budgeting and the impact of hidden costs. Learn how to equip your organization's budget and contract professionals with the knowledge to navigate and negotiate hidden costs effectively.
Join us for the Hidden Cost workshop at the Global Site Solutions Summit.
Download the SCRS Site Invoiceables Toolkit.
Carlos Bussey, CEO of Accelerate Recruitment Services, dives deep into the groundbreaking innovations his company is bringing to the table and their role in the SCRS Global Impact Partner program. Hear the journey of this forward-thinking organization working to support clinical research sites and revolutionize patient recruitment.
Gary White, the Senior Director with EMEA Strategic Site Solutions at IQVIA explores the evolution of patient-finding technology. In this episode, discover how IQVIA's digital solutions are reshaping traditional data collection methods, unlocking new possibilities for research sites and patients. Uncover the transformative impact of digital patient-finding technology on research site operations. Join us as we discuss the challenges, benefits, and future prospects of integrating these technologies into clinical trials.
Meet SCRS Global Impact Partner, Science 37! Dr. Debra Weinstein, Vice President of Internal Medicine, discusses Science 37's dedication to site success and collaboration. Hear insights into Science 37's initiatives, including their referral network and recruitment strategies, as well as their groundbreaking Metasite™ model.
Jillian Agnew, Senior Clinical Research Nurse at St. Johns Center for Clinical Research, shares insights on the power of personal connections in keeping trial participants engaged. From navigating trial fatigue to overcoming protocol challenges, hear the nuances of patient interactions that shape the success of long-term trials. Tune in to learn how to foster meaningful connections to create lasting participant retention and engagement.
Joseph Kim, Chief Strategy Officer at ProofPilot, shares the challenges and triumphs of implementing innovation in the clinical research field. Joseph highlights lessons learned and insights from ProofPilot's Innovation Playbook on the importance of problem-solving and collaborative value creation. Discover practical tips for finding funds, navigating tight timelines, and bringing innovation to life!
Hear from Dr. Lestter Cruz Serrano, the Global Head of Medical Affairs at Cognizant Health Sciences Group, as he shares the intricacies of site advocacy in clinical research. Discover how Cognizant's Shared Investigator Platform (SIP) has evolved over the past four years to address challenges faced by clinical research sites. Utilizing insights from an SCRS Site Advocacy Group (SAG), Cognizant shares the impactful enhancements made to SIP based on valuable site feedback. Gain insights into the future of SIP and the role of sites in driving its innovation.
Learn how dynamic benchmarks are shaping the future of clinical trial finances, offering adaptability, transparency, and stronger relationships between sponsors, CROs, and research sites. Shelley Douros, the Senior Director of Clinical Trial Financial Management, and Tina Mincher, the Director of Client Strategy at Medidata share their revolutionary CAP approach (Committed, Anticipated, and Projected) that is transforming how budgets are approached. Tune in to learn how to ensure fair market value and foster better collaboration with clinical research site partners.
Dawn Strelow and Vinita Navadgi from IQVIA Technologies explore how the clinical research industry is revolutionizing patient consent. Dawn, the Associate Director of Client Engagement, and Vinita, the Senior Director of the Digital Patient Suite, discuss the nuances of eConsent and challenges faced by clinical research sites, including practical solutions and steps for successful eConsent adoption.
Anne-Marie Baughn, Director of Business Development with RxTrials, shares the invaluable benefits of strategic partnerships and volunteering in the clinical research industry. Anne-Marie sheds light on RxTrials' unique approach to empowering smaller research sites, emphasizing quality in study conduct and research site management over sheer size.
In this episode, explore the extraordinary journey of Kits4Life with Lori Warrens, Director of the MedSurplus Alliance. Kits4Life is a cross-sector initiative developed by the clinical research community to repurpose clinical trial supplies, lab kits, and equipment to close the healthcare gap worldwide. Lori shares the program's inspiring growth and impact on a global scale, from its humble beginnings to becoming a driving force in healthcare sustainability. Gain insights into the challenges faced, the value of industry collaborations, and the program's role in fostering a sustainable future.
Karen McIntyre, Vice President of Site Alliances at Parexel, shares the impact and initiatives that contributed to their earning of the coveted SCRS Eagle Award in 2023. Hear valuable advice for industry organizations aspiring to build successful relationships with sites through the power of communication, trust, and shared goals. Karen also sheds light on Parexel's strategies to continually enhance and expand its site-focused efforts.
Hear the inspiring story of Larry Falivena, an ALS patient advocate, who shares his journey through his ALS diagnosis and navigating clinical trials. Larry's diagnosis in 2017 marked a profound shift in his life, prompting him to cherish each moment and advocate for ALS awareness. Despite the grim prognosis, Larry's engagement in clinical trials offers hope for ALS patients. Hear the emotional and logistical hurdles often faced by ALS patients in accessing and engaging with clinical trials and how the industry can improve the patient experience.
As we reflect on his journey, Larry's insights inspire us to collectively improve patient outcomes by overcoming barriers to trial participation. His story highlights the critical role of patient involvement in research and the need for accessible trials.
Hear the award-winning community engagement strategy of Ascension St. John Clinical Research Institute as Stacie Merritt and Dr. Jane Bryce share insights on their successful approach to diversity, equity, and inclusion in clinical research. Discover how their innovative BRIDGE framework, commitment to health literacy, and continuous presence have led to meaningful results within their community. Tune in for valuable advice on overcoming diversity recruitment challenges and fostering collaboration with industry partners for more inclusive clinical trials.
Hear from Dr. Otis Johnson, Co-Founder of Trial Equity Group, as we explore the critical issue of patient diversity in clinical trials. Dr. Johnson discusses the alarming underrepresentation revealed in recent research, and shares how Trial Equity is addressing this gap. Join the conversation to uncover the impact of diverse recruitment on trial efficiency, the positive trends in technology, and the future of inclusive clinical research.
Nick Spittal, Chief Operations Officer at Velocity Clinical Research, and Pat Roselle, Global Head of Patient Stakeholder Engagement at Sanofi are here to celebrate Velocity's win of the 2023 Excellence in Patient Centricity Award sponsored by Sanofi. Hear insights from Velocity and Sanofi on the importance of patient-centricity and the initiatives that led to this award. Plus, we'll explore the future goals of both Sanofi and Velocity in advancing clinical research with a patient-focused approach.
Michele Cameron, Director of Clinical Research at Clearwater Cardiovascular Consultants, and Lindsey Morales, Associate Director of Clinical Site Partnerships at Gilead Sciences, share insights from a recent SCRS survey on clinical research site workforce challenges.
Learn about the significant turnover rates for patient-facing staff and obstacles in recruiting and training new coordinators. Lindsey and Michele share actionable steps for the industry to better support site partners, including addressing site fatigue, communication transparency, and collaboration.
Download the Workforce Task Force Toolkit available to SCRS members.
Peter Fredette, VP of Research Services at Outcomes Matter Innovations, and Jolee Holt, Director of Oncology Site Community, Optimal Research at PPD, part of Thermo Fisher Scientific, give you a sneak peek into the SCRS Oncology Site Solutions Summit. Peter and Jolee share insights into what attendees can expect, exciting new topics and speakers you won't want to miss, and how to maximize your experience. Join us at the Oncology Summit to share your experience and tackle challenges in oncology clinical research.
Take the Oncology Landscape Survey today.
David Vulcano, Vice President of Research Compliance at HCA Healthcare and Honorary President of SCRS, discusses the challenges clinical research sites face in document storage and record retention amid evolving regulations. Hear considerations for sponsors pushing record storage obligations onto sites, advising them to listen to sites' concerns and avoid binding contracts. David also provides insights for sites as well as solutions for sponsors, CROs and sites to move forward with record retention needs.
Join us as we explore how AbbVie is turning feedback into action, introducing process efficiencies and enhancing communication with site partners. Sasha Tyndale, Director of Patient Engagement and Inclusion Solutions at AbbVie, shares valuable insights and actions taken from AbbVie's annual global site feedback survey. Hear about AbbVie's dedication to being a responsive and collaborative sponsor and how they are fostering stronger site partnerships.
Ethan Seville, Manager of Customer Engagement and Strategic Solutions at Slope,
sheds light on the formidable challenges clinical research sites encounter with sample management. Tune in as we discuss the importance of proactive advocacy, crafting effective SOPs, and fostering inter-site collaboration. Ethan also explores evolving trends and changes in sample management and the exciting potential for future innovations in the field.
Carlos Orantes, CEO of Alcanza Clinical Research, shares insights into modern-day budgets and payments at the site level and discusses the challenges faced by sites, including holdbacks and delayed payment terms.
Carlos delves into the complexities of financial planning for sites, discussing the differences between revenue projections and cash flow forecasts. Carlos also provides valuable strategies for sites to encourage on-time payments, emphasizing clear communication, negotiation of payment terms, and accuracy in invoicing.
Andrea Chial, co-founder and COO of AlzWell, showcases their innovative AI platform for clinical trial matching which received the 2023 SCRS Site Tank Award. Hear the impact of streamlining site operations and helpful advice for sites interested in AI or technology implementation.
Todd Albin, CEO of Cedar Health Research, discusses the groundbreaking recruitment strategy that earned them the SCRS Site Patient Innovation Recruitment Award (SPRIA). Hear Cedar Health's integration of technology to pre-identify eligible patients in healthcare practices for a challenging study.
Albin emphasizes their comprehensive approach to diversity, highlighting the success of engaging diverse communities through a dedicated task force. Explore the synergy between site and industry partnerships and Cedar Health's plans for the future, focusing on optimizing technology, enhancing outreach, and improving diversity initiatives.
Dr. Nadine Barrett, a medical sociologist, health disparities researcher, and President-elect of the Association of Community Cancer Centers (ACCC), joins us to discuss her remarkable journey and commitment to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in cancer research. Dr. Barrett outlines her top priorities with ACCC, focusing on increasing diversity in oncology research and fostering honest, authentic community engagement. Be inspired by Dr. Barrett's transformative vision and work to enable more inclusive and accessible oncology research and care.
This special episode spotlights Merck's site-focused initiatives and work that contributed to its designation as the 2023 SCRS Eagle Award sponsor of choice. Jennifer Sheller, VP & Head of Clinical Sites, Data Management & Qualitydiscusses Merck's commitment to increasing trial access, supporting the next generation of research staff, and improving site-centricity.
Kip McKenzie, CEO of Tekton Research, shares the organization's evolution from a single site to a network of 25 sites, highlighting their commitment to professionalism and growth within the clinical research landscape.
Kip discusses the significance of site voices in driving successful clinical trials and their innovative personnel development strategies and highlights the Tekton University learning management system. Gain insights into their effective engagement with local universities for workforce development and goals for continued collaboration with the clinical research community.
Explore the ramifications of inflation and higher staff attrition on the clinical research industry based on IQVIA's recent whitepaper, 'The Impact Of High Inflation And The Great Resignation On Clinical Site Budgeting.'
Sharon Gordon, former Director of Cost Benchmarking and Site Contracts, Trial Design & Site Engagement, and Morgan King, Manager of Data Analytics and Services at IQVIA Technologies share findings on escalating site costs over the past three years, as well as IQVIA's data collection process and evolving benchmarking strategies. Tune in to hear how sites and sponsors can work together to navigate fair market value negotiations amidst rising costs.
After working in the clinical research industry for decades, Jim Kremidas unexpectedly found himself on the other side – as a patient searching for a trial. Despite Jim's extensive experience and vast network, finding a trial proved more difficult than expected.
Many of us have not experienced a clinical trial from the patient's point of view. This enlightening episode discusses Jim's perspective as a trial participant, as well as advice for both patients and research professionals on how we can streamline participation in trials.
Jess Thompson shares her journey in clinical research project management, shedding light on the mission of the Association of Clinical Research Project Managers (ACRPM) and its global support for professionals in the field.
Jess outlines key aspects that research sites and the industry need to understand about clinical research project management and its impact on fostering innovation and excellence in healthcare practices.
Piotr Sawicki, SCRS European Summit chair, discusses why this event is a must-attend for global clinical research professionals. Hear about the sessions attendees can look forward to this year and listen in for essential tips to make the most of your experience.
Join us for the 2023 European Site Solutions Summit being held from 13-14 November 2023 in Cascais, Portugal.
Joan Chambers, CEO of Greater Gift, shares insights on their mission to raise awareness about clinical trials, especially among underrepresented communities.
Hear how Greater Gift uniquely honors clinical trial participants through donations to positively impact patient retention and engagement.
Joan also highlights the importance of partnerships and upcoming projects that are driving their mission forward.
Victor Lopes, VP of Medical Operations and Interim Head of Global Site Network at Accelerated Enrollment Solutions (AES) provides a glimpse into AES' mission and values, emphasizing their commitment to improving clinical trials globally. Hear about the vital work of AES' site enrollment optimization teams and valuable advice on fostering mutually beneficial collaborations.
As sites navigate technology changes and advancements within the industry, they have to make important decisions about what solutions to adopt and how. What are common challenges that sites face when integrating new technologies? Lilith Hayakawa Mist, Executive Clinical Research Director at Merck, raises important considerations for sites with technology implementation, as discussed in a panel session at SCRS West.
In a world where the demand for qualified research professionals is on the rise, training programs play a pivotal role in expanding and diversifying the talent pool. Kunal D. Patel, Medical Director at iheed, will shed light on their recently launched Master of Science in Clinical Research program and how training programs are helping expand the clinical research workforce.
Tune in to discover proven best practices that research sites can adopt to optimize their technology budgets. Kristin Surdam, Sr. Director, KOL & Strategy at Florence Healthcare, shares how these strategies not only ensure better resource allocation but also drive efficient research operations. Hear lessons learned from SCRS West: Clinical Tech & Innovation Summit, including strategies for sites and industry partners to overcome technology hurdles and ensure accurate financial planning in trials.
What's in store for the upcoming SCRS Global Site Solutions Summit this October? Get ready to "Ignite the Possibilities" as we share the inspiration behind this year's Summit theme of what it means for our community.
Whether you're a seasoned attendee or gearing up for your first SCRS Summit, this episode is your gateway to the excitement, innovation, and boundless opportunities that await. We've got you covered with essential tips to make the most of your experience!
Learn how Latinos in Clinical Research (LCR) is making a significant impact in supporting the Latinx community within the clinical research field. Ashley Margo shares insight on LCR's collaborations with industry stakeholders to promote better representation and participation of Latinx individuals in the research profession. Hear success stories of Latinx professionals who have advanced their careers with the help of LCR, and the organization's impact on the clinical research industry on a broader scale.
Technology integration and implementation remain challenging for many sites. We explored these topics further at SCRS West, where Lauren Stockwell, Director of Outreach & Engagement at Clinical Research Fastrack, participated in a panel on site-level technology integration and implementation.
This episode dives into key takeaways from that session, including how to identify the right solutions, manage change and train staff.
Join Val Torres, CEO/CFO of Health Data For Good, as he shares how his organization is committed to addressing the complex healthcare needs of underserved communities. How are industry stakeholders working together to improve health equity and accelerate access to life-changing cures and treatments? Discover the power of collaboration and partnership as key principles driving Health Data For Good's mission.
Meet one of SCRS' newest Global Impact Partners, YPrime. YPrime is an eClinical systems provider offering cloud-based systems such as interactive response technology (IRT), electronic clinical outcome assessment (eCOA) and eConsent.
Mike Hughes, Chief Product Officer at YPrime, shares why they became a GIP, as well as what's next for the organization and their collaboration with sites.
In this episode, we explore the transition from EHR (Electronic Health Records) to EDC (Electronic Data Capture) and its implications for healthcare professionals and patients alike. Dan Braga, Vice President of Product Management and Digital Health Solutions at Medidata Solutions, shares how patients, healthcare providers, researchers, and the healthcare industry as a whole gain from the seamless integration of these technologies. Learn about the roadblocks faced by the industry and why this groundbreaking transformation has taken time to reach its full potential.
A “good” budget can make or break a trial’s success, especially with rising operational costs. How are sites effectively managing budgets amidst economic uncertainties?
Bouchra Rucker, Local Study Associate Director, Oncology at AstraZeneca, shares strategies for sites to successfully enhance their budgets, adapt to inflation, and negotiate with sponsors effectively.
This episode highlights a remarkable panel discussion from the SCRS Global Oncology Summit featuring Jennifer L. Hoffman, Patient Engagement Lead, Patient-Informed Development and Health Value Translation with Sanofi and Terri Conneran, Founder and Director, KRAS Kickers.
Explore how patient perspectives have influenced the design and implementation of clinical trials, leading to tangible improvements in patient outcomes and satisfaction. Hear their inspiring stories and work as champions of patient voices in the pursuit of better healthcare for all.
We sit down with Jeffrey Smyth, President and Executive Director of TrueBlue Clinical Research, to discuss the critical aspects of building strong clinical research teams and establishing your company culture. Learn how and why to hire based on personality and skills as well as the importance of effective leadership. Jeffrey will also share tips and strategies for building trust and competency among new team members and how to manage remote/hybrid teams.
Brandon Doyle, Associate Director, Site Alliances SME Global Site Diversity Strategy, Parexel & Garo Kiledjian, COO, Trialogic – both cofounders of SGM Alliance – recently hosted a panel discussion at the SCRS Diversity Summit on the unique challenges facing the LGBTQIA+ community in clinical research. Listen as they share insights on antiquated and discriminatory exclusion criteria in trials and how the industry can work together to be more inclusive to this community.
Cheryl-Ann Hawkins, COO, Emeritus Research & Tam Nguyen, Deputy Director of Research, St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne share what topics they are looking forward to discussing at this year's Australia-New Zealand Site Solutions Summit! Hear how to prepare in advance and engage in meaningful networking, knowledge-sharing, and collaboration.
At this year’s Diversity Site Solutions Summit, SCRS hosted a variety of breakout discussions covering important topics to enable diversity, equity, inclusion and access in clinical trials. Today we’re highlighting some of the takeaways from one of those breakouts, which focused on successful patient recruitment and engagement strategies. Hear from Adrelia Allen from Merck, Deena Bernstein with Datacubed Health, Lacey Clements of IMA Clinical Research and Brittane Strahan from BEKHealth as they share the biggest takeaways and lessons learned from the discussions at the Summit.
In this episode, we explore how to strengthen the relationship between sponsors and CROs and the sites they work with. Mike Wenger, CEO & Founder, VersaTrial, highlights how a single point of contact can help to resolve many bottlenecks.
We also examine how technology can enable this relationship to be more efficient, including the benefits of investing in technology that is "site-ready" and advice for sponsors and CROs looking to make technological investments.
Finally, we delve into why the current CRA model isn't working to achieve the goals of a single point of contact, and what's in it for the sponsor/CRO to prioritize a new approach.
We are thrilled to welcome ProofPilot to the Global Impact Partner (GIP) program! In this episode, Bernadette Tosti, Chief Product Officer at ProofPilot, discusses the importance of listening to site voices in advancing and streamlining clinical research. Bernadette also provides insights into ProofPilot's initiatives and programs and shares how these efforts will impact clinical trial sites.
In this episode, we're excited to chat about the inaugural SCRS West: Clinical Tech & Innovation Summit coming up in Scottsdale, Arizona. Ramy Nassar, Founder + Managing Partner, 1000 Days Out, and Karri Venn, COO, Centricity Research explore why an event like this is crucial for the clinical trial industry and what attendees can expect. Ramy and Karri also share how the industry can collaborate to have more site-focused technology solutions and the importance of sites sharing their experiences with clinical technology in an open, collaborative way.
In this episode, we explore the growing trend of remote clinicians and mobile services in the clinical research landscape. IQVIA has been at the forefront of this trend, and we sit down with Eric Neeley, PhD, PMP Senior Director Research Nursing & Phlebotomy Solutions, to discuss what's working, what still needs work, and what to expect from this emerging field.
Eric also shares their learnings from operationalizing this service and how they handle oversight of protocol deviations, which can be a higher risk in decentralized clinical trials.
In this episode, we focus on the challenges facing the clinical research industry when it comes to hiring and retaining clinical research coordinators. Over the past few years, the industry has seen a noticeable decrease in available clinical research staff, making it imperative for sites to find new ways to attract and train new talent.
To address this need, Susan Landis, Executive Director of the Association of Clinical Research Professionals (ACRP), shared more information about ACRP's Early Talent Training Program, which aims to create onramps for the clinical research profession. In this episode, we dive into the program's history and the results so far.
We also discuss the industry's focus on improving diversity within the clinical research profession, a crucial step toward engaging diverse populations in trials. Kelly, Clark, Head of US Partnerships and Global Site Development from Merck talks about the OneTen program, which the company supports to enable more diverse individuals to enter the research profession.
Join us as we discuss how sites and industry partners can collaborate to develop the next generation of diverse staff.
Taneen Hisgrove, Executive Director, Sites and Patients Center of Excellence at PPD, part of Thermo Fisher Scientific, discusses the site-focused initiatives and programs PPD implemented to earn the 2022 Eagle Award CRO of choice. Taneen shares what receiving the Eagle award means to PPD, takeaways from the Global Summit, and what her organization's focus will be for 2023 and beyond.
Andrew Kimball, Executive Vice President of Strategic Commercial Relationships at Velocity Clinical Research, highlights the growth and initiatives of his organization, which is currently the largest dedicated research site organization in the world. Andrew also shares insight on Velocity's acquisition of Meridian Clinical Research and the benefits of joining a site network.
What is the best way for clinical research sites to find new trials and establish productive industry relationships? Scott Whitt, General Manager of Triad Clinical Trials, discusses business development best practices that have worked for his site, and how sites can develop strategic industry alliances.
Todd Albin, Chief Executive Officer, Cedar Health Research, joins us to discuss a trend many clinical research sites have been experiencing with their budget and CTA negotiations with sponsors.
This episode will highlight how this practice impacts site sustainability, as well as our studies and our patients, and some ways sites and sponsors can come to a mutually beneficial solution.
Access the SCRS Site Invoiceables Toolkit at myscrs.org/site-invoiceables-toolkit.
The SCRS Digital Innovation Initiative decentralized trials workstream recently released a Best Practices and Recommendations for Site Participation on Decentralized Trials guide. Deena Bernstein, Vice President Customer Success at Datacubed Health , and Karen McIntyre, Senior Director, Patient Innovation Centre at Parexel, share how this resource was developed and how sites can utilize it effectively.
We'll also discuss what should sites consider before initiating a trial with decentralized elements, and advice for sites that may be hesitant to engage these types of technologies.
In this episode, we are proud to highlight our 2022 Eagle Award sponsor recipient, Merck. Jennifer Sheller, AVP, Clinical Trial Operations Leader with Merck discusses some of the site-focused programs her organization put in motion to earn the award and their plans to progress those initiatives. Jennifer also discusses Merck's response to the SCRS Open Letter to Industry Partners on sites' workforce and inflationary challenges, and what they took away from the SCRS Global Site Solutions Summit.
SCRS is hosting the second annual Diversity Site Solutions Summit in a few short weeks! Jackie Kent, VP of Strategy and Special Projects and Diversity with SCRS, and Kim Ribeiro, Head of Diversity & Patient Inclusion at AbbVie and co-chair of the SCRS Diversity Awareness Program discuss why an event like this is important for the industry, what makes this year's Summit different, and some of the exciting sessions to look forward to.
SCRS Oncology Program participants Peter Fredette, Director, Clinical Partnerships Liaison with EQRx and Dan Otap, Principal, Alliance and Partnerships Lead at Genentech share information about helpful oncology resources for sites as well as some exciting new topics they are looking forward to discussing at this year's Global Oncology Site Solutions Summit.
If your site participates in oncology research, be sure to make your voice heard in the Oncology Site Landscape Survey today!
Unfunded, yet essential, study activities are a longstanding problem for the sustainability of studies and clinical research sites. These types of invoiceables, often called hidden costs, are typically not accounted for in the study budgeting process which can be detrimental to long-term site sustainability. In this episode, David Vulcano, Honorary President, SCRS and Chris Hoyle, Executive Director, Elite Research Network, share information about the SCRS Site Invoiceables Toolkit created to help sites understand common billable items that a site should consider when assessing costs associated with a clinical trial.
Dr. Queen Adaugo Ohandjo, Patient Advocate and Consultant with Proof Clinical Research, discusses how operational efficiencies at the clinical research site level can enable patient engagement and better patient outcomes. Learn how clinical trials can be designed to be more inclusive for diverse patients and how industry partners can support sites in these efforts to ensure successful trial outcomes.
Read more on this topic from Dr. Adaugo Ohandjo in the SCRS InFocus Newsletter.
Ellen Price, Senior Director of Patient Experience for Velocity Clinical Research, discusses insights from a patient experience survey they conducted with thousands of clinical trial participants. Ellen shares how they gathered the data, some surprising responses, and how other sites can garner participant feedback.
Read the white paper for more survey insights at https://velocityclinical.com/news
Most of us are aware of the telltale signs of heart disease in men. But what about women? Diana Reedie, Director, Clinic Management & Operations at LMC Healthcare and Vivienne van de Walle, Owner of PT&R, share their unique patient and physician perspectives on what women should know about cardiovascular disease. Listen as they highlight some of their personal experiences and advice as well as what the healthcare industry is still learning about women's heart health.
In honor of American Heart Month, we spoke with Dr. Michael Koren, Medical Director and CEO of ENCORE Research Group, as he shares his top tips for heart health – especially for busy professionals working in the clinical research industry. Dr. Koren also explores how cardiovascular research and treatment have progressed over the past several years as well as some exciting new learnings for this vital therapeutic area.
Nancy Trapp, Sr. Director, Field Management, North America Clinical Operations at Novo Nordisk, joins us to discuss why collaborating with clinical research sites is vital to her organization's success. Hear what Novo Nordisk is working on and how it will impact sites.
DM Clinical Research, recipient of the 2022 Excellence in Patient Centricity Award, joins us to highlight some of the programs they put in place to earn the prestigious award.
Hera Arham, Director, Marketing & Patient Engagement at DM Clinical Research, shares how they identified the issues patients were facing, the practices they deployed, and advice for sites and industry partners that want to implement more patient-centric practices.
SCRS recently hosted the European Site Solutions Summit in Lisbon, Portugal, where speakers shared stories about how the conflict in Ukraine is impacting clinical trials and patients. Roman Fishchuk, Head of Clinical Trials Department at Central City Clinical Hospital in Ukraine, shares his perspective on the current status of clinical trials in Ukraine and how the war has affected them.
Mike Clay, Chief Operating Officer at Javara, joins us to share more information about the winning recruitment strategy his organization presented at the 2022 Global Site Solutions Summit for the Site Patient Recruitment Innovation Award (SPRIA). Mike discusses how Javara developed their idea, what recruitment methods had the most impact, and the value of collaboration for better community engagement.
CRAs have a notoriously difficult job in the clinical research landscape. Daniel Paucar, Manager, Strategic Site Networks, US EPON Operations Lead at IQVIA, joins us to share how the role has evolved over the past several years as well as the conveniences and challenges with remote monitoring. Hear Daniel's insight on how sites and CRAs can better work together for more efficient monitoring.
What is the industry doing to address the issue of staffing challenges for clinical research sites? In this episode 2022 Site Tank winner, Kate Marusina, Ph.D., MBA, Director of the Clinical Trials Office of UC Davis Clinical and Translational Science Center, shares insights on their innovative program presented at the 2022 Global Site Solutions Summit. Learn more about Site Tank at https://sitesolutionssummit.com/site-tank/
Scott Gray, CEO of Clincierge, highlights statistics from an independent, IRB-approved survey of patients and caregivers regarding participation in clinical trials. Learn about the financial risks of patient dropouts and trial delays, plus practical strategies for making trial participation easier and encouraging patient retention.
Has your clinical research site thought about joining a site network? Mark Blumling, CEO and Founder of Headlands Research, shares what to expect when joining a network and how to prepare your site for acquisition. Mark also discusses how their site network approaches diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.
SCRS is excited to reunite with our European community in-person in Lisbon, Portugal this November! Viviënne van de Walle, co-founder of PT&R and SCRS European Site Solutions Summit chair, shares how clinical research has changed since we last hosted the European Summit in March of 2019 and some of the sessions she is most looking forward to this year. Plus, learn how to maximize your experience at the Summit to ensure you leave with valuable takeaways and lasting connections. Learn more about the European Summit and register at eusitesolutionssummit.com.
Danielle Mitchell, CEO and Founder of Black Women in Clinical Research, shares why she started her organization and how they are working to advance diversity in the clinical research industry. Tune in to hear about the panel session she will be participating in at the 2022 Global Site Solutions Summit and why she feels SCRS Summits are different from other industry conferences.
SCRS is quickly approaching its annual Global Site Solutions Summit! This year the Summit will be extra special as we celebrate 10 years of advancing site success. Allyson Small, Chief Operating Officer of SCRS, and David Vulcano, SCRS Honorary President, share how attendees can make the most of their experience while highlighting some of the exciting additions planned for the Summit. Don't miss what we have in store!
The Association of Clinical Research Organizations (ACRO) is celebrating 20 years since its inception. Doug Peddicord, Ph.D., Executive Director of ACRO, joins us to share his thoughts on some of the biggest changes in clinical research over the last two decades and how they have worked with SCRS through the years. Learn more about ACRO's session at the Global Site Solutions Summit and what role the site voice has in ACRO's important work.
Medidata recently hosted a Site Advocacy Group (SAG) where SCRS member sites offered feedback on budgeting and payments for clinical trials. Tina Mincher, Director, Client Strategy, Clinical Trial Financial Management at Medidata and Edward Czerwinski, Senior Medical Director, FutureMeds, join us to discuss what was learned from a service provider and site perspective. Hear some of the top financial struggles for sites and how sites and industry partners can work together for better transparency with trial budgets and payments.
Emily Simpson, Senior Director of Marketing and Communications at Javara, a new SCRS Global Impact Partner, shares insights about integrated research organizations (IROs), clinical research as a care option, and how industry partnerships can streamline clinical trials. Learn what initiatives Javara is working on and why joining SCRS was a priority for their organization.
SCRS is excited to welcome Transformative Pharmaceutical Solutions (TPS) to the Global Impact Partner program! Jeff Repper, Executive Vice President, and Kyle Given, EVP, Account Management share why their organization decided to become a GIP and how they want to work with clinical research sites and industry partners to improve the research experience for all.
Technology has the power to reduce the burden on overworked sites–but only if that technology is well-integrated. Catherine Gregor, Chief Clinical Trial Officer at Florence Healthcare, shares insights from her session at the 2022 Global Oncology Site Solutions Summit on challenges and opportunities with site-centric technology. Listen as Catherine shares how sites and Sponsors can ensure they are working together to develop mutually beneficial solutions.
Commemorating a decade since the organization's inception, SCRS spoke with one of our first clinical research site members, Richard Pollack with Evolution Research Group. Dr. Pollack shines a light on how he was introduced to SCRS and some of his fond memories with the organization while reflecting on how the industry has changed.
Decentralized clinical trial (DCT) technology has the opportunity to create more effective, efficient, and accessible clinical trials. Now that research sites have more experience with these systems, we also have a better understanding of their challenges and opportunities. Craig Lipset, advisor and founder of Clinical Innovation Partners and co-chair of the Decentralized Trials & Research Alliance shares what the clinical trials industry has learned about DCTs and how we can move forward together.
The clinical research industry is currently seeing an unprecedented rise of sites facing financial burden due to increasing costs of staffing and supplies. Now more than ever, it's critical that sites learn what actions they can take to ensure they understand what they are agreeing to in clinical trial agreements and what flexibility they have. Daniel Fox, Ph.D., founder and CEO of the Clinical Research Payment Network, shares what to look for in CTAs to ensure they are in the site's best interest and how to establish a mutual relationship of trust with industry partners.
SCRS recently held its fourth annual Global Oncology Site Solutions Summit in Austin, Texas. It was an incredible two-day event with actionable insights and best practices specific to oncology clinical research. In this episode, we speak with Peter Fredette, a long-standing member of the SCRS Oncology program and our new Global Oncology Summit chair, to discuss some highlights from this year's conference and what we can expect for the future of the program.
Patient-centricity has been a hot topic in clinical research. Recently the industry has realized that to truly be patient-centric, you must also be site-centric. Deena Bernstein, Vice President of Customer Success at Datacubed, discusses what it means to be site and participant centric in clinical trials and how to reduce the burden of technology for both patients and sites.
The implementation of decentralized tools and technologies has drastically changed study start-up and training requirements that have placed an additional burden on clinical research sites. SCRS spoke with Todd Albin, CEO of Cedar Health Research to discuss how sites can prepare for these changes and ensure all industry stakeholders are working together to ensure efficiency and sustainability with technology in trials.
The 2022 Australia-New Zealand Summit is quickly approaching! ANZ Summit chairs Cheryl-Ann Hawkins, Chief Operating Officer at Emeritus Research and Tam C. Nguyen, Deputy Director of Research at St. Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne, share what they are most excited about for this year's Summit, sessions they are looking forward to, and how to maximize your experience. Learn more and register today at https://apsitesolutionssummit.com
Holdback payments evolved as a way for industry sponsors and CROs to ensure that their clinical research sites were completing the necessary work throughout a trial. However, holdback payments have been a long-standing issue for sites.
Vivienne van de Walle, co-founder of PreCare Trial & Recruitment, shares lessons learned from working with sponsors and CROs to eliminate this practice, and tips for sites to successfully negotiate to have their study costs covered.
The industry is currently facing unprecedented macroeconomic issues including substantial staffing challenges and inflationary pressures. In response, SCRS formed a task force committee, which provides resources for both sites and industry to collaborate to address these issues.
David Vulcano, SCRS Honorary President and VP of Clinical Research Compliance & Integrity at HCA Healthcare speaks with William Smith, co-chair of the SCRS task force and CEO of Alliance Speciality Research and Jeff Kingsley, CEO of Centricity Research and task force member, to talk through what the committee is doing to mitigate these challenges and how our industry partners can help.
In this episode of SCRS Talks, we spoke with Jane Myles, VP of Clinical Trial Innovation at Curebase, a new Global Impact Partner. Jane shares what research sites should know about decentralized trial technology and some initiatives Curebase is working on that will impact sites.
Join SCRS in welcoming Clinical ink to the Global Impact Partner (GIP) program! Syed Faridi, Senior Director of Business Development, and Lane Nichols, Executive Vice President, Head of Product, share why they decided to become a GIP and what they see for the future of their relationship with clinical research sites.
This Clinical Trials Day is especially meaningful to SCRS because it is the same day as SCRS' first-ever Diversity Site Solutions Summit. To share a preview of some of the critical discussions that we'll cover at the Summit, we are joined by Lorena Kuri from Bristol Myers Squibb, Lloryn Hubbard from PPD, and Jaleeysa King from Greenphire. We'll highlight some of the industry's biggest wins and opportunities to improve diverse representation in trials. Plus, they'll share how they plan to partner with sites to meet the industry's diverse enrollment goals.
Please join us in welcoming Aspen Insights to the SCRS Global Impact Partner program! Walter Storm, co-founder and CEO of Aspen Insights shares how his organization is listening to sites to understand their pain points and developing solutions to resolve them using data analytics. Listen to hear some initiatives Aspen Insights is working on to support site sustainability and streamlined trial enrollment through applied data science, artificial intelligence, and machine learning.
In this episode, SCRS is excited to showcase H1, one of SCRS' newest Global Impact Partners. We spoke with Adam Wyckoff, Director of Product Management, Clinical Trials, who shares why H1 believes listening to site voices is important and how they plan to work more closely with research sites in the future. For more information about H1, please reach out to H1 at elizabeth.schwartz@h1.co.
SCRS is celebrating 10 years since our founder, Christine K. Pierre, officially formed the organization! We spoke with Clare Grace, Chief Patient Officer at one of SCRS' first Global Impact Partners, Parexel, to look back on why SCRS was created and how it has evolved through the years. We also explore current industry challenges SCRS is working to address, including how prioritizing site success impacts everyone in clinical research.
In January 2022, the U.S. enacted legislation supporting our industry’s ability to sponsor more diverse, equitable, and inclusive clinical trials via the Clinical Treatment Act. This law aims to create equal and increased access to clinical trials for more than 76 million Americans enrolled in Medicaid. SCRS sat down with Scott Gray, CEO of Clincierge, who shares more insight into this new law and how it may affect enrollment of diverse communities in trials.
Comprised of experienced and committed executives representing different segments of the clinical research industry, the SCRS Leadership Council provides strategic guidance, policy decisions and oversight to SCRS. Our newest Leadership Council member Mohammad A. Millwala, CEO of DM Clinical Research, shares how he initially became involved with SCRS, industry initiatives he is excited to work on, and predictions for the future of the site community.
In this episode, we're discussing a new U.S. law condition that states Medicaid is to cover the trial-related routine care costs for Medicaid beneficiaries in clinical trials. Effective January 2022, there is a new form for principal investigators to use in these instances to secure Medicaid coverage, creating an additional and potentially burdensome step for research sites and patients with Medicaid coverage.
David Vulcano, SCRS Honorary President and Vice President of Research Compliance & Integrity at HCA Healthcare has been close to this subject and will share some insights on what types of sites this affects and advice to navigate this new challenge.
In February 2022, the Diverse and Equitable Participation in Clinical Trials (DEPICT) Act was submitted to legislation. Kim Kundert, Sr. Vice President of Site Development Services at Total Diversity Clinical Trial Management, joins us to discuss how the industry can prepare for upcoming changes surrounding diverse patient participation in clinical research.
Learn more about the DEPICT Act: https://myscrs.org/resources/depict-act/
Be a part of these critical discussions surrounding diversity in clinical trials at the SCRS Diversity Site Solutions Summit: https://diversitysitesolutionssummit.com/
As many organizations within the clinical research industry search for candidates, many want to work with those they already know. Unfortunately, this means some CROs and sponsors are asking site staff to come and work for their organizations instead. Karri Venn, Chief Operating Officer, President, and Chair of the Operating Board at Centricity Research discusses her experience with site staff poaching practices and how sites and industry can address the increasing demand for employees.
Collaborating with other sites can expand your site's opportunities and revenue significantly when done right. Kay Scroggins, Steve Satek, and Ana Marquez discuss why they founded their new site network, Flourish Research, and advice they have for other sites looking to expand, sell or collaborate with one another. Find out how your site can grow through partnerships in this episode.
Jackie Kent, Chief Customer Officer at Medidata, a Dassault Systèmes company, shares background on the SCRS Diversity Awareness Program and takeaways from hosting diversity-focused discussions with sites, patients, and industry partners. What strategies are working, and what can we expect next to ensure better diversity in clinical trials? Listen to this episode to learn more and be sure to join us at the inaugural Diversity Site Solutions Summit in Austin, Texas this May! https://diversitysitesolutionssummit.com/
What does receiving the SCRS Eagle Award mean for the clinical research industry and the organizations that receive it? SCRS sits down with Liz Rogers, Vice President, Head of Global Site and Study Operations at Pfizer, the 2021 Eagle Award recipient, to hear what receiving the award means to Pfizer. Rogers also shares some insight into what Pfizer will be working on over the next year and a special message for clinical research sites.
Learn more about the SCRS Global Site Solutions Summit and Eagle Awards: https://sitesolutionssummit.com/
Supporting site sustainability is the #1 priority for SCRS and its Global Impact Partners. Silvina Baudino, Director, Site Engagement, shares why Teckro recently became an SCRS Global Impact Partner, and some initiatives their organization is working on that will impact clinical research sites. Learn more about Teckro and what this new relationship means for SCRS and its site community!
Rodrigo Garcia, MD, MS, Vice President of Patient Solutions at PPD, part of Thermo Fisher Scientific, sits down with SCRS to discuss what receiving the 2021 Eagle Award means to PPD and the industry, some takeaways from the 2021 Global Site Solutions Summit, and a preview from what to expect from PPD over the next few years.
Learn more about the SCRS Eagle Awards: https://sitesolutionssummit.com/
Sandy Smith, Senior Vice President of Clinical Solutions and Strategic Partnering at WCG Clinical and SCRS Global Oncology Summit Chair shares what she is most excited about for this year's Oncology Summit, including some of the hot topics we will cover at the Summit. Learn what attendees can expect from the Summit and how to maximize your experience!
Learn more about the Global Oncology Summit and register today at https://oncologysitesolutionssummit.com/
Meet SCRS' new Honorary President, David Vulcano, as we discuss what this new role means to him and SCRS. David shares his vision for the future of our organization and the clinical research industry as we look ahead to SCRS initiatives for 2022.
Tune in as Steven Geller, PhD, Medical Director at Centennial Medical Group, shows you the patient recruitment strategy that earned the 2021 SCRS Site Patient Recruitment Innovation Award (SPRIA), which celebrates one site that has demonstrated innovation in its patient enrollment. Dr. Geller also shares insights on industry recruitment challenges and how sites can achieve and exceed enrollment goals. Learn more about SPRIA at https://sitesolutionssummit.com/
What does it mean for sites to be patient-centric? Learn from Ellen Price, Director of Patient Engagement at Meridian Clinical Research, the recipient of the 2021 Excellence in Patient Centricity Award. Ellen walks us through the programs that grew her organization despite the challenges of COVID-19 and how other sites can establish consistent patient-centric practices. Learn more about the SCRS Excellence in Patient Centricity Award at https://sitesolutionssummit.com/
The Christine K. Pierre Site Impact Award recognizes an industry leader who has made tremendous contributions to the site community through their dedication, actions and innovation. They exemplify the mission of SCRS to unify the voice of the global clinical research site community for greater site sustainability and uphold the pillars of SCRS by supporting the education, advocacy, mentorship and connection of clinical research sites. Michele Cameron, BSN, MBA, CCRC, Director of Research at Clearwater Cardiovascular Consultants, embodies the essence of this award. We sit down with Michele, this year's CKP Site Impact Award recipient, to learn about her site, how she has grown that organization to what it is today, and how winning this award has impacted her and her site.
We sit down with Stacey Bledsoe, the Advisor for Clinical Trial Diversity at Eli Lilly and Company (Lilly) to talk about what is being done in the industry to advance diversity in clinical trials. Stacey touches specifically on some of the work Lilly is doing, as well as diving specifically into the Oncology therapeutic area. The needs of this community are different, yet just as important as others yet at times does not get the attention it needs. Stacey gives us lessons that we can apply to our trials at both the Sponsor and CRO level, as well as the site community.
Kay Scroggins, President and CEO of Clinical Trials of Texas and the SCRS 2021 Global Site Solutions Summit chair shares what she is most excited about for this year’s Global Summit in Hollywood, Florida. Tune in as we discuss can’t-miss sessions and how attendees can maximize their experience at the Summit.
The importance of diversity in clinical research has been a hot topic in the industry for many years. Led by Diana Foster, SCRS’ Vice President of Special Projects and Strategy, SCRS established its Diversity Awareness Program in 2016 and has developed several tools to further this important industry initiative. In this episode, Foster also discusses the program's newest accomplishment, the Diversity Site Assessment Tool (DSAT) – an assessment that provides guidance for clinical research sites to improve their ability to recruit diverse patient populations in trials.
Learn more about the program at https://myscrs.org/learning-campus/diversity-in-clinical-trial
Each year at the Global Site Solutions Summit, SCRS selects the Site Patient Recruitment Innovation Award (SPRIA) and Site Tank award winners. Hear from last year's recipients, Clinical Trials of Texas and Accelerated Enrollment Solutions (AES), respectively, as they reflect on what receiving these awards has done for their site, how they have tackled the challenges 2020 presented, and what they are doing as they look to the future.
For more information on SPRIA, Click Here
For more information on Site Tank, Click Here.
SCRS has an exciting Asia-Pacific Site Solutions Summit planned for July 13-14, 2021! Although we cannot be together in person down in Melbourne, Australia, our virtual experience will provide two days full of interactive and informative sessions. Tam C. Nguyen, FRSPH, FAIM, F. AustRMS, PhD, MBA, and Summit Chair for the 2021 SCRS Asia-Pac Site Solutions Summit, shares why you should consider joining us for the virtual Summit, how to maximize your experience, and some of the engaging and industry-leading session topics we have planned for attendees this year.
Clinical Trials Day is a special occasion for SCRS. This year, we took time to reflect on what being part of this important work means to us and the tremendous challenge that our industry overcame in 2020 and early 2021. When we stopped to think of truly inspiring and innovative progress that was made in spite of these challenges Pfizer was the first organization that came to mind. We had the opportunity to speak with Liz Rogers, Vice President and Head of Global Site and Study Operations and Sarah Tweedy, Vice President and Head of Vaccine Clinical Operations at Pfizer about what they think the future of research is and how their organization adapted and quickly became a household name in COVID-19 vaccine development.
The 2021 European Site Solutions Summit is upon us! SCRS has some world-class content planned for this year’s summit, being held as a virtual experience April 20, 21, and 22nd. We sat down with Vivienne van de Walle, the European Site Solutions Summit program chair and the Owner and Medical Director at PT&R, a site in the Netherlands to learn about what this upcoming summit has to offer attendees and why she is excited for this year’s summit.
The 2021 Global Oncology Site Solutions Summit, Virtual Experience will be one to remember. Although we can't be together in person this year, SCRS is showcasing some great content this year that will help the Oncology community take their work to the next level. Hear from the SCRS Oncology program chair, Archana Sah as she teases some of the great content taking place at this year's Oncology Summit.
"Innovation" is a term often used to describe many things, particularly in the clinical research space. Our industry's need for meaningful innovation has never been more apparent than it is right now. We sit down with Craig Lipset, the Managing Partner of Clinical Innovation Partners and Assistant Professor of Health Informatics at Rutgers University to discuss what innovation looks like and how this has changed as a result of our pandemic. As A teaser to his keynote presentation at the 2020 Global Site Solutions Summit, Craig will also highlight some of the key points he will address at his talk.
Understanding the nuances and proper tactics for negotiating a budget with a clinical research trial pharmaceutical sponsor could be considered an art to some. We sit down with Dawn Pittinger at BioOptronics to discuss and learn where the current state of negotiating with a sponsor is in today's rapidly changing world, as well as tactics that can be employed to help assure success at the research site level.
Recruiting clinical research patients is often times a tremendous challenge for a site. In the era of COVID-19, this problem has only grown more difficult to manage. Matt Miller, President of StudyKik discusses what these challenges are and how they are different in our current environment as well as ways to overcome those unique challenges. It is critically important to understand how recruitment is changing and what can be done to meet this situation head-on. Finding patients and assuring their safety and making the experience as convenience as possible is of utmost importance and Matt discusses how we can address this.
For years, sites have been talking about and navigating through traditional remote site monitoring, where a Clinical Research Associate (CRA) from a Sponsor or CRO performs monitoring activities remotely, over the phone and via email to reduce trips to the site. However, in the age of decentralized trials companies have pioneered a new ways to effectively monitor sites remotely. In comes VirtualPreSite and their glasses technology, allowing remote views into the sites. We sit down with Deric Frost, VirtualPreSite's Head of Virtual Site Monitoring to discuss how this technology is changing the way trials are monitored.
As many in the clinical research industry adopt work-from-home policies in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, it is a critical time to consider the cyber security of your work. There are people out there looking for opportunities to take advantage of the situation and are attempting to hack our computers and access business data. It is important that businesses consider cyber insurance as added protection. Hear from our partners at Hylant as they discuss what this means for you and the best steps your business can take.
In terms of the service the site provides to the sponsor of a study, regulatory work is of utmost importance -- and many times a defining factor of service quality overall. Especially in the time of COVID, regulatory teams are burdened with figuring out how to make sure this critical work is done and done well even when everyone involved is not in the same room. But, many regulatory teams have figured out that there are issues beyond simply where people are working that are plaguing the quality of this work. So how do regulatory teams provide the highest quality especially during this time? We decided to ask an expert - Rick Arlow, founder of Complion.
Oncology trials present a unique challenge in the clinical research space, particularly when it comes to patient recruitment. The identification windows are narrow, yet participation in precision trials can have life saving options for many patients with an unfortunate diagnosis. The CEO and Co-Founder of Deep Lens, Dave Billiter talks with us about how this recruitment is such a challenge and what tools may be available to help this process as well as how communication is key to running a successful recruitment campaign.
Decentralized clinical trials in a post COVID-19 world are undoubtedly here to stay. Recent events have had a drastic effect that is likely lasting as it relates to trials at the site levels. This can be a positive thing. Much of what sites can do now is prepare for this new future and VirTrial's Senior Vice President of Business Development, Amanda Rangel talks with us about just that. There is much to do, and now is the time to do it so that you are ready for what is coming and the future of clinical trials.
Budgets for clinical trials are always a highly discussed topic and one that SCRS regularly addresses with our partners on behalf of sites. Catherine Click, Greenphire's director of clinical pricing and analysis talks with us about how sites can "get their ducks in a row" to better negotiate and justify their study budgets. Not only can sites be more effective in their negotiations, but we also discuss some ways to better speed the time it takes to negotiate that budget. Having the data and information to back your fees is a critical component of which this interview discusses.
IQVIA Technologies is focused on using innovation to enable better relationships with sites. Part of this strategy is centered around remote data monitoring strategies to address reducing staffing and CRA mobility. MaryAnne Rizk, PhD with IQVIA Technologies discusses how these technologies ensure patient and staff safety amidst the current pandemic, as well as how we can all work better to keep current clinical trials on track. We also look to the future and how artificial intelligence and machine learning can begin to see their day at sites.
Amidst these interesting times in the age of COVID-19, we know that this has already affected sites, CRO's and Sponsors. It's not over yet and we don’t know the long-term impact from the disruption. What we do know is that all stakeholders are repositioning, trial continuity is front and center, and sites are focused on site and study sustainability through retention efforts and are quickly adopting decentralized methods. Circuit Clinical's CEO Irfan Khan sits down to discuss what patient engagement of the future will look like and how can engagement be applied to the site of tomorrow.
COVID-19 has highlighted a need for patients, sites, and sponsors to work together more effectively and remotely. Yet, efforts to do so are often limited by systems and processes that limit data sharing and collaboration. We’re sitting down with Bree Burks from Veeva Systems to discuss new opportunities to address this challenge by making it easier for study partners to work together across the full clinical trial life cycle. From their unique prospective, we explore some of the unique challenges the industry is facing and where there are opportunities for the future.
We sat down with Lauren Litzinger at Pfizer to discuss virtual monitoring of clinical research sites and studies. We are seeing a shift in how monitoring is being conducted in the wake of COVID-19 and the requirement for so many activities to go virtual and digital. Monitoring is no exception. Various options for data verification and review are discussed, as well as what are some of the changes being seen at the pharmaceutical sponsor level.
IQVIA Technologies has focused on three important areas for deploying technology to support sites. Melissa Easy from IQVIA discusses with us how technology is affecting sites, sponsors, and CROs and how their approach to technology is changing the relationship. The focus has to be on how technology can make the lives of sites easier, and addressing the concerns sites have specifically around payments and finances. Having one place to direct sites in order to help navigate virtual challenges and technology is one such specific solution proposed by IQVIA.
In this special Clinical Trials Day and Melanoma Month feature, hear from two Melanoma survivors as they discuss the insurmountable odds faced by their diagnosis and subsequent illness. The challenges they faced with not only the initial treatment, but also those experienced by the clinical trial process. Both T.J. Sharpe and David Aizer share their unique perspectives on their journey's and the different paths that they took that shared some astounding similarities. Yet with all of this adversity they faced, they maintained a positive attitude and outlook, refusing to let their conditions get the best of them. These survivors help us in the clinical research industry maintain intention and focus as we work to safely speed the execution of clinical trials because we know that patients are waiting for the medicines of tomorrow.
With the immediate and pressing need for sites to incorporate virtual elements, we talked with Anthony Costello at Medidata on what is being done in the industry to support the new way of performing clinical trials. Discussion centers around unified platforms and how these types of solutions can be beneficial for not only sites and patients, but the entire industry. There are several advantages of unifying services and tools at the site level and we discuss what some of those may look like.
Clinical trials are moving towards trends of using more and more technology, even before COVID-19. This trend doesn't mean the role of the site has diminished, but just changed. What tools do sites need to help them succeed? How can flexible payment systems, direct-to-patient services, and telemedicine platforms enable site success? Greenphire's Zach Hales discusses the different ways in which we need to start thinking to support patients where they are - in the clinic, the lab or in their home. Using technology to move research sites forward is critical to the growth of our industry.
In an effort to ensure clinical trial continuity in the midst of COVID-19, more and more sponsors are moving towards Direct-to-Patient models to ensure patient access to medications. In order for sites to adequately prepare for this new approach, it is imperative to understand current trends and challenges as sponsors are approaching these models differently depending on their study and supply chain considerations.
The Covid-19 pandemic caught everyone by surprise. Now that some time has passed and we are acclimating to the current climate, what should sites be thinking about when it comes to risk management and insurance?
This is not just an insurance discussion - it’s a discussion about risk. This includes the increased use of telemedicine and prevalence of decentralized clinical trials. This final interview with Hylant will help sites make important decisions regarding these matters
It pays to be prepared, especially in uncertain times. As sites struggle to maintain patient visits and keep trials moving forward amidst COVID-19, many are turning to remote monitoring and other elements of decentralized clinical trials (DCTs) to ensure their doors stay open. This SCRS Talks interview with Global Impact Partner (GIP) VirTrial provides insight into how sites can prepare to participate in DCTs or incorporate virtual visits into their trials. Listen in as VirTrial’s Director of Business Development, Emil Hoeck, discusses industry trends related to COVID-19, identifies best practices for going virtual to support your site’s sustainability, and addresses why now is the time to become virtual trial capable.
The COVID-19 pandemic is a serious situation requiring careful navigation, and many companies associated with clinical trials are struggling to keep their doors open. How am I going to survive the next few months? What questions do I need to be asking? Who can I rely on for accurate information and guidance? Learn from Hylant as they sit down with SCRS to discuss how this is impacting sites, specifically their insurance policies.