Advertise on podcast: SCRS Talks

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.