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 emotional sides of caregiving, exploring why self-care is essential yet often overlooked, and how systemic changes could ease the load on caregivers everywhere. For anyone supporting a loved one through aging or illness, this conversation offers insights, resources, and a reminder that you’re not alone.

Suzanne Kincaid, CCRA, ACRP-PM, FACRP

Owner and Independent Consultant, Responsibility Research

Suzanne has over 25 years of clinical research experience. She has conducted clinical trials from every aspect, from study coordinator to global project manager. She was the Study Delivery Program Leader of AstraZeneca’s Oncology Phase I Team, Director of Operations for Sarah Cannon’s Phase I Drug Development Unit, and Chief Operating Officer of Aperio Clinical Outcomes.

Suzanne’s clinical research passions include process improvement, project management, training clinical research professionals, cultivating high performing teams, and Risk Based Quality Management.

Suzanne is actively involved in the Association of Clinical Research Professionals (ACRP), serving on the board of the Greater Nashville Chapter since 2011, and is currently Chair of the ACRP Fellows Advisory Panel. In 2020, Suzanne was honored as one of the PharmaVoice 100 Most Inspiring People in Life Sciences.

To connect with Suzanne on Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/responsibilityresearch/

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 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, and find out more:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/pareshkshah/

In this episode, Joe Dustin, a long time industry leader, shares stories and wisdom gleaned from decades of experience. Joes's passion for the industry and the patients he serves is palpable. From his driving curiosity to excitement about the latest tech advancement, Joe's desire to connect and impact others is clearly a superpower. His advice to remember the people that matter in one's personal life serves as a poignant reminder to find balance.

Enjoy this episode!

To learn more about Joe, and connect with him on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eclinical/

Scott Schliebner is an industry executive with deep knowledge of clinical research coupled with a commitment to patients and a growth mindset. He is a true industry disruptor, not afraid to step out of his comfort zone. Scott has a passion for building teams and nurturing others towards their goals.

In this episode we discuss adopting a patient focused approach throughout drug development. We talk about the implications when we as an industry fail to take into account what patients really want. Scott shares about differences in the Rare Disease community and how to address some of the challenges and then apply those learnings to other areas.

Scott shares tips for empowering patients and how to assess patient burden and ensure ROI.

Enjoy this episode!

Scott Schlieber takes people, teams, and organizations further than they would otherwise go.
A strategic, innovative, and commercially-oriented clinical drug development executive with 30 years experience across the biopharma, CRO, and non-profit sectors.
Scott creates, builds, transforms, and accelerates growth for clinical research organizations. He drives commercial success through relationship-building, strategic partnerships, creativity, transparency, and integrity. Scott is passionate about patient-centric research and developing innovative approaches to accelerate clinical drug development.

In this episode, Alex Wykoff, vulnerably shares her patient journey through Lupus.

We discuss the lengthy period searching for answers and being dismissed by the medical community. Alex shares how she was able to advocate for herself and navigate the clinical trial landscape. She outlines the challenges with getting doctors to talk to one another and ensuring one's care team has all pertinent information. Alex shares about getting a doctor to think she was "worth their time" and building a partnership to address her health.

Alex tells about the emotional and physical toll of her journey and the power of resiliency. She shares how she was able to find momentum and develop a positive identity.

She shares practical tips for how to document and effectively communicate symptoms to aid with diagnosis. She talks about how to find accurate information and engage with support groups.

Ales's journey is one of resiliency and personal growth.

About Alex, in her own words:

As a native of Fairfield, Connecticut, a graduate of Gettysburg College, and a 6 year resident of New York City – it’s safe to say that I should probably get out more. In 2016 I was formally diagnosed with Lupus CLE/SLE – a chronic and complex autoimmune disease. Thanks to the support of my amazing family, friends, colleagues, and my exceptional “Dream Team” of physicians and specialists, I am grateful for the strength and resilience that living with lupus has taught me.

I firmly believe that care is contingent on communication, and through my own personal journey I’ve found a passion for patient advocacy, clinical research, and health literacy. By furthering the dialogue and contributing to clinical research, we can collectively contribute to the creation of the next life changing or lifesaving treatments globally.

Rebecca Little is the Executive Vice President Clinical Strategy and Development at Objective Health.

In this episode, we discuss changes in the industry. We address the need to integrate research into the flow of patient care and forge collaborative relationships through education and communication.

We explore patient education about clinical trials and the need for communication and education of patients and the impact on retention in clinical trials.

We discuss the role of advocacy groups in engaging communities and using real data for site feasibility. We chat about integrating technology into the workflow and tips for ensuring compliance.

We touch on turn-over at both the site and CRA level and and the role of education and communication.

We explore campaigns and strategies to meaningfully move the needle for patients.

Have a listen and let us know what most resonates.

Rebecca Little is an Executive Vice President, Clinical Strategy and Development at ObjectiveHealth. Prior to joining ObjectiveHealth, Rebecca led the global commercial team for ICON’s clinical research site network, where Rebecca specialized in developing and growing partnerships with both large pharma and biotechs, specifically in the therapeutic areas of Immuno-Inflammation (GI and Derm), Respiratory, CNS, Vaccines, Women’s Health and CVM. Rebecca has worked in the clinical research industry for the last 16 years, both in the research site networks and full service CRO spaces. Rebecca graduated from Clemson University with a BS in Health Science.