Clinical Research Coach

In this episode of The Clinical Research Coach, host Leanne Woehlke sits down with Angela Radcliffe for a powerful conversation about empathy, innovation, and why the future of clinical research must remain deeply human. Angela shares the personal experiences that shaped her passion for healthcare and clinical research, including the profound impact clinical trials had on her own family. Together,...

In this episode of  The Clinical Research Coach , Leanne sits down with Lindsey Wahlstrom to explore how one family’s experience with rare disease is helping reshape conversations around pediatric care, patient advocacy, and human-centered healthcare. Lindsey shares the story of her daughter Rona, a joyful and science-loving child diagnosed with acquired aplastic anemia at five years old. What beg...

In this episode, Leanne Woehlke sits down with Dr. Anastasia Christianson, a seasoned pharmaceutical leader with over 30 years of experience across major companies including AstraZeneca, Bristol Myers Squibb, and Johnson & Johnson. Now a consultant and advisor to emerging innovators, Anastasia shares a grounded perspective on the evolving role of AI in life sciences. The conversation moves bey...

In this episode of The Clinical Research Coach , host Leanne Woehlke sits down with Alen Hadzic , Founder and CEO of CT Scan , to explore how data, digital advertising, and AI are reshaping the way patients are enrolled into clinical trials. Coming from a background in consulting, marketing strategy, and lead generation, Alen brings a fresh lens to one of the industry’s most persistent challenges—...

In this episode of the Clinical Research Coach, I sit down with Ella Balasa, a cystic fibrosis patient advocate whose lived experience is shaping how our industry understands trust, transparency, and meaningful patient engagement. Diagnosed in infancy with cystic fibrosis, a progressive genetic lung disease, Ella has spent her life navigating hospital systems, breakthrough therapies, and clinical...

In this episode of Clinical Research Coach , host Leanne Woehlke sits down with Dr. Rohan Lall for a candid, thought-provoking conversation on what it truly takes to modernize clinical research—without losing sight of patients, providers, or purpose. Dr. Lall brings a rare dual perspective as a practicing physician and clinical research leader, offering firsthand insight into the structural, cultu...

In this powerful and eye-opening conversation, Leanne Woehlke sits down with Dr. Ruchir Gupta , a double board-certified pain specialist and founder of Mountain View Headache and Spine Institute, to explore the evolving world of chronic pain treatment and clinical research . Dr. Gupta shares his journey from anesthesiology into chronic pain medicine and research, highlighting why traditional appro...

In this episode of The Clinical Research Coach , host Leanne Woehlke sits down with Dr. Sarah Matt, MD, MBA , a surgeon, health technologist, and author who is redefining what it means to deliver care without borders. From the operating room to advising health tech startups, Dr. Matt brings a rare dual perspective, grounded in both clinical compassion and digital innovation. Together, Leanne and S...

What does it take to bring cutting-edge research to new populations—and new continents? In this episode of The Clinical Research Coach , Leanne sits down with Julio Martinez-Clark , CEO of bioaccess® , to talk about why Latin America—especially Colombia—is becoming a prime destination for clinical trials. Julio shares insights into navigating regulatory pathways, building trusted networks, and des...

In this episode of The Clinical Research Coach , host Leanne Woehlke sits down with trailblazer Nasha Fitter —tech entrepreneur, rare disease advocate, and co-founder of both the FOXG1 Research Foundation and Citizen Health . After Nasha’s daughter was diagnosed with FOXG1 syndrome, an ultra-rare neurological disorder, her world shifted. Instead of accepting the limitations of the current research...

In this heartfelt episode, we sit down with Katie Diaz, Managing Partner of the Dan Diaz Biotech Breakfast Club. Katie shares the deeply personal story of her father, Dan Diaz, whose ALS diagnosis changed the course of her life- and inspired her to continue the work he started. Together we explore the importance of empathy, the emotional layers of navigating a rare disease and how Katie transforme...

In this powerful episode of The Clinical Research Coach , we sit down with Kay Kays — a 30-year pancreatic cancer survivor and passionate patient advocate. Kay’s story is nothing short of extraordinary. Diagnosed with one of the most challenging cancers to treat, she not only defied the odds but has spent the last three decades using her voice to push for better patient access to clinical trials....

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...

In this episode of The Clinical Research Coach , host Leanne Woehlke sits down with Stacy Martin , who shares her journey of entering a clinical trial. Stacy talks about her mother’s stage 4 uterine cancer diagnosis, which led to genetic testing that revealed a hereditary mutation called CDH1 . This mutation increased the likelihood of cancer in Stacy and her siblings. Stacy describes the moment s...

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, wearab...

In this episode of The Clinical Research Coach , recorded live at SCOPE, host Leanne Woehlke sits down with Or Shaked , MD-MPH, Medical Research Lead at Briya, to explore the transformative role of real-world data (RWD) and real-world evidence (RWE) in clinical trials. They discuss how RWD is reshaping trial design, improving patient recruitment, and enhancing the overall efficiency of research. O...

In this special live episode recorded at SCOPE , host Leanne Woehlke sits down with Kate Shaw , CEO of Innovative 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...

In this episode of The Clinical Research Coach Podcast , recorded live at SCOPE 2025, we welcome Jeff James , CEO of Wilmington Health and CEO and Co-Founder of Innovo Research. Jeff is a nationally recognized leader in healthcare transformation. With a wealth of experience in physician leadership, accountable care, and clinical research integration, Jeff shares insights on how healthcare organiza...

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 powe...

In this episode, I chat with Rob Freishtat, Co-Founder and President of Uncommon Cures and former emergency physician. Rob shares his journey into the world of rare disease clinical research and his mission to transform the clinical trial landscape. We discuss the unique challenges of diagnosing and treating rare diseases and the critical role of clinical trials in advancing treatments. Rob shares...

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...

Join host Leanne Woehlke and clinical research professional, Suzanne Kincaid, for a compelling conversation about the unseen demands of family caregiving. With candor and humor, Suzanne shares her journey managing the healthcare of multiple elderly family members, discussing the hurdles of medication management, doctor visits, and technology support. This episode dives deep into the practical and...

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 th...

In this episode Heidi Hawkins shares her story of personal discovery and healing through psychedelics. Heidi shares her experience of finding connection and integration through her journey with plant medicine.

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,...