Clinical Research Coach

In this episode of The Clinical Research Coach, host Leanne Woehlke sits down with Robert Goldman, Head of Clinical Operations at Contraline, a company pioneering innovation in reproductive health. Robert is a true industry disruptor, challenging traditional clinical trial models by integrating AI, decentralized trial frameworks, and real-time data analytics to accelerate timelines and improve patient outcomes.Robert shares his journey into clinical research, the challenges he’s faced while introducing disruptive models, and his vision for the future of clinical operations. He also offers practical advice for clinical leaders looking to embrace innovation and transform the patient experience.If you’re ready to explore how technology and human-centered design are shaping the future of clinical trials, this is an episode you don’t want to miss!To learn more:Robert Goldman is the Head of Clinical Trail Operations at Contraline as well as the Founder of ALCOA Consulting. https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-s-goldman-358b0868/

In this episode of The Clinical Research Coach, Leanne Woehlke sits down with Wessam Sonbol, CEO of Delve Health, to explore the evolving world of clinical trials. Wessam shares his personal experience as a clinical trial participant and offers insights on helping people navigate the process—especially those with limited access to technology. They discuss the power of decentralized trials, wearables, strategies for engaging underrepresented populations, concierge services and why truly understanding patients is key to making research more accessible and effective.Enjoy!To learn more:Wessam Sonbolhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/wsonbol/Delve Health:https://www.linkedin.com/company/delve-health/https://delvehealth.com/

In this special live episode recorded atSCOPE, hostLeanne Woehlke sits down withKate Shaw, CEO ofInnovative Trials, to explore the evolving landscape of patient recruitment and retention in clinical research. We discuss some of the age old issues in the industry and share insights on the biggest challenges sites and sponsors face today.Whether you're a clinical research professional, a site leader, or simply passionate about advancing patient-centric trials, this episode is packed with expert insights and actionable takeaways.🎧Tune in now to hear the latest from the frontlines of clinical trial innovation—recorded live at SCOPE!To connect with Kate Shaw, CEO of Innovative Trials:https://www.linkedin.com/in/kate-shaw-250a8a6/?originalSubdomain=ukhttps://innovativetrials.com/

In this deeply personal episode, Michelle courageously shares her experience participating in a clinical trial to determine if she carries the genetic marker for Alzheimer’s disease. With raw honesty, she walks us through the emotional rollercoaster of making the decision, the testing process, and the weight of knowing—or not knowing—what her future may hold. Through her story, we explore the power of clinical research, the fears and hopes that come with genetic testing, and the importance of advocacy in Alzheimer’s awareness. Whether you're considering participating in a trial, have a loved one affected by Alzheimer’s, or simply want to hear an inspiring story of resilience, this episode is for you. Tune in as Michelle opens up about her journey, reminding us that vulnerability is strength—and knowledge is power. To protect Michelle's privacy, we are not sharing her full name or identifying details.

Colleen Melchiorre is a dynamic strategic leadership executive and a devoted mother. In this compelling episode, Colleen shares an extraordinary story of courage and resilience as she advocates for her son, Paul, diagnosed prenatally with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome. Fueled by her unwavering maternal instincts, Colleen embraced the role of "Medical Mom," fearlessly navigating the intricate and often overwhelming medical system. With a perfect blend of wit, wisdom, and practical insight, she recounts her journey, offering invaluable advice on managing complex medical information, building effective relationships with care teams, and creating a sense of home even within the hospital walls. Colleen’s tenacity and compassion make her the ultimate advocate—exactly the ally anyone would want in their corner. Her candid reflections also serve as a powerful lesson for the healthcare industry, providing critical insights into how to engage meaningfully with patients and families. This episode is a masterclass in advocacy, resilience, and the profound strength of a mother’s love About Colleen: Colleen Coffey Melchiorre, Ed.D. is a seasoned executive consultant, speaker, and strategist with over 23 years of experience specializing in organizational development and team dynamics. Her expertise spans corporate, non-profit, and higher education sectors, where she has consistently driven business growth and improved team performance for organizations ranging from small non-profits to Fortune 500 companies. A published researcher and thought leader, Dr. Melchiorre holds degrees from Belmont University (B.S.W.), Eastern Illinois University (M.S.), and Trevecca Nazarene University (Ed.D.). She advocates for organ donation, neurodiversity, and emotional wellness, serving as a parent partner at a leading children's hospital. Beyond her professional work, she is an adaptive cheer coach, certified Pilates and barre instructor, and dedicated yogi. Active in her church community, Dr. Melchiorre resides near Nashville, TN with her family. From the boardroom to the sidelines, to the mat-her authentic, holistic approach inspires teams, athletes, and organizations alike.

With a focus on Patient Focused Drug Development (PFDD), many pharma companies have begun incorporating patient insights into protocols, recruitment strategies, and brand messaging, yet many efforts miss the mark. In this episode, I chat with with Kirsten York, an industry expert with over 25 years of experience. Kirsten is passionate about helping teams identify and overcome entrenched beliefs that can get in the way of creating trust and building authentic connections. Kirsten shares the importance of creating meaningful patient journeys and shares how the standard "cookie-cutter" approach does not work. We discuss what it really takes to build a “patient odyssey”—an approach that goes far beyond the typical patient journey methodology. Kirsten shares how she gathers insights straight from patients’ voices on social media, discussion groups, and advocacy platforms to create journeys that actually resonate. She also explains why these journeys need to evolve over time and should be used to inform every aspect of drug development- from molecule to market. If you’re curious about how pharma can lead with empathy and build more authentic connections with patients, this episode is for you! Kirsten's Bio: Kirsten York is the Executive Vice President of Human Experience Strategy at ENTRADA. As a Patient Experience Organization, or PXO, ENTRADA is driven to reimagine the way patients interact with pharmaceutical companies throughout their treatment journey. With over 30 years of experience in pharmaceutical, biotech, and device brand strategy and communication, Kirsten has developed deep expertise for impacting the human experience across the life sciences industry, with particular emphasis in oncology and rare disease. Kirsten possesses a deep passion for brokering the intersection between patients/caregivers and pharma and is committed to helping people feel more in control of their health journey than ever before. Whether a product is in early development or has been on the market for years, Kirsten is able to identify opportunities for intervention and innovation that can transform the way people experience their health odyssey. Kirsten specializes in Patient-Focused Strategy, Patient Positioning, meaningful Advocacy Partnerships, Lexicon & Data Visualization, and uncovering powerful patient insights than result in brand transformation. You can connect with Kirsten via email at: Kirsten@thinkentrada.com Or on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kirstenyork/ To find out more about Entrada: https://thinkentrada.com/

In this episode, I sat down with Paresh Shah, the Founder and CEO of CliniLink. Paresh shared views on the importance of DE&I and accessibility in clinical trials, as well as social determinants of health and impact in clinical trial recruitment. CliniLink Health stands out in revolutionizing patient engagement in clinical trials, through their AI enabled data platform. To connect with Paresh, and find out more: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pareshkshah/