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, cultural, and operational challenges that slow progress across trials today.

Together, Leanne and Dr. Lall explore how clinical research must evolve to better reflect real-world care, rebuild trust with patients, and support sites and investigators who are stretched thin.

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

• Why many clinical trials still feel disconnected from everyday clinical care—and how to close that gap

• The growing tension between protocol complexity and patient participation

• What physicians actually need to stay engaged in research long-term

• How trust, communication, and operational empathy impact enrollment and retention

• Where technology helps—and where human connection remains irreplaceable

• Dr. Lall’s vision for a more sustainable, clinician-friendly, patient-ready research ecosystem

This conversation is a must-listen for sponsors, CROs, sites, and innovators who believe the future of clinical research depends not just on better technology, but on better alignment between medicine, operations, and the lived experience of patients.

Rohan Lall, MD M Health FarviewUniversity of Minnesota Medical Center  

Spine Surgery / Neurosurgery/

Chief Medical Officer SynerFuse BIO:Dr Rohan R. Lall is a neurosurgeon in Edina, Minnesota and is affiliated withmultiple hospitals in the area, including M Health FairviewUniversity of Minnesota Medical Center and M Health FairviewSouthdale Hospital. He received his medical degree from University of Chicago Division of the Biological Sciences The Pritzker School of Medicine. He has expertise in treating spinalfusion, spinal stenosis and spondylosis, among other conditions 

Dr Lall is a former investigator of the SynerFuse Proof of Concept trial and pioneered the e-TLIF procedure He performed the world’s firstsolo SynerFuse e-TLIF procedure as well as the first 2-level procedure. SynerFuse®e-TLIF™ procedure, a ULE™ Therapy (Ultra Low Energy), is used to addresschronic low back and leg pain for spinal fusion patients.

Dr Lall specializes in robotic and minimally invasive surgery, complex spinal surgery, brain for brain and spinal tumors and skullbase surgery/ pituitary tumor surgery.  He has been a leader in robotic spinal surgery and actively involved in the development of new technologies in spine surgery. The Innovative procedure integrates conventional spinal surgery techniques with targeted nerve stimulation to address chronic back pain at its source. These nerve stimulators fundamentallyalter the nerve’s ability to transmit pain signals to the brain. The innovative implant allows patients to control nerve stimulation via smartphone, with early trial participants reporting significant pain reduction and improved quality of life without opioid dependence.  

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 approaches often fail and how emerging therapies like ketamine infusions and stem cell treatments offer new hope. Together, they discuss the importance of changing the language around "experimental" medicine, improving access to clinical trials, and educating patients and physicians about cutting-edge but underutilized treatments.

They also tackle:

• The broken incentives in insurance-driven medicine

• How to ethically introduce new treatments to patients

• The power of AI and EMRs in revolutionizing clinical trial recruitment

• Rebuilding trust in the medical system through transparency and education

This episode is a must-listen for healthcare professionals, clinical researchers, and patients seeking alternatives to outdated treatments and a deeper understanding of how clinical research can drive real change in patient care.

Dr Ruchir Gupta:

Dr. Ruchir Gupta is a board-certified pain specialist and anesthesiologist with advanced training in chronic pain management from the Mayo Clinic’s Alix School of Medicine in Arizona. A New York native, he completed medical school at Upstate Medical University in Syracuse and his anesthesiology residency at New York Medical College – St. Vincent’s Hospital in Manhattan.

With over 20 peer-reviewed publications and two medical textbooks to his name, Dr. Gupta blends cutting-edge Western medicine with holistic, nature-based therapies. His areas of expertise include interventional pain management, IV infusion therapy, bone marrow concentrate procedures, and regenerative orthopedics.

Dr. Gupta is a member of several leading professional societies, including the American Society of Pain and Neuroscience and the American Headache Society. He currently practices in Mesa and Phoenix, Arizona, where he is also part of the elite Regenexx network of interventional orthopedic physicians.

To connect with Dr Gupta:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ruchir-gupta-3187326b/

https://mountainviewheadacheandspine.com/

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 Sarah explore how technology can expand access, reduce friction, and humanize care across communities, from urban hospitals to rural nursing homes.

Dr. Matt also shares insights from her upcoming book, The Borderless Healthcare Revolution: The Definitive Guide to Breaking Geographic Barriers Through Technology, launching December 11, 2025. The book offers real-world playbooks, “next-shift wins,” and frameworks for healthcare leaders, clinicians, and researchers to design systems that truly work for everyone.

In this conversation, they discuss:

• Why technology must serve real people, not just innovation for its own sake

• How to align incentives across hospitals, CROs, and trial sponsors to improve access and retention

• The five pillars of healthcare access: geographic, digital, financial, cultural, and trust

• How empathy, design thinking, and AI can restore the human side of medicine

• Why solving burnout requires fixing systems, not just supporting individuals

• The future of robotics, decentralized trials, and telemedicine as tools for equity

Through real stories and practical insights, Dr. Matt reminds us that the next wave of healthcare transformation will not be about new tools, but about how we use them to rebuild trust, equity, and connection.

Tune in to discover how Dr. Sarah Matt is leading a movement where care travels at the speed of need and healthcare knows no borders.

To learn more about Dr. Sarah Matt:

https://www.drsarahmatt.com/

To pre-order The Borderless Healthcare Revolution: https://www.drsarahmatt.com/book#OrderBook

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 designing trials that are both scientifically rigorous and locally relevant.

Whether you're exploring new geographies or simply curious about how patient-centric research is evolving globally, this conversation will broaden your perspective.

To Learn More:

Julio Martinez Clark:

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

bioaccess

https://www.bioaccessla.com/

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 landscape, she took action- building a foundation, galvanizing the scientific community, and redefining what’s possible for families facing rare disease.

What began as a grassroots foundation now drives innovative drug development, redefines data collection, and challenges the status quo in drug development.

In this conversation, Nasha shares:

• How a small, determined parent community raised $10M and launched a gene therapy program
• Why traditional research models fail rare disease patients—and how to fix them
• The power of patient-owned data and how platforms like Citizen Health are transforming access and insights
• How to build empathy for families navigating special needs
• What pharma gets wrong (and right) in working with advocacy groups
• Her vision for a precision medicine future—starting with ultra-rare

This is a story about courage, creativity, and a more inclusive, patient-driven future of medicine. Nasha’s bold vision and action oriented approach will leave you inspired and hopeful.

To Find Out More:

Nasha Fitter

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

FOXG1 Research Foundation:

https://www.foxg1research.org/

Citizen Health:

https://www.citizen.health/

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 transformed grief into advocacy, mission and action.

Enjoy!

To Learn More:

Katherine (Diaz) Harakel 

The Dan Diaz Biotech Breakfast Club:

https://thedandiazbiotechbreakfastclub.godaddysites.com/

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.

With her signature honesty and infectious energy, Kay shares why she believes clinical trials should be the appetizer — not the dessert — in the treatment journey. We talk survivorship, advocacy, and the urgent need to change how patients are introduced to research as a care option. Whether you’re in clinical research, oncology, or simply need a dose of inspiration, this conversation is not to be missed.

To learn more about Kay Kays:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kay-kays-2a993649/

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, 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 she discovered she was CDH1 positive, the challenges she faced afterward, and the lessons she learned through the clinical trial process.

No longer having a stomach, Stacy has to eat more frequently to keep her energy up. Becoming a "professional snacker" led her to turn her newfound snacking habit into a business and Seahorse Snacks was born. Seahorse Snacks makes healthy delicious roasted nuts with unique and unusual flavors.

To Connect with Stacy:

Stacy Martin

[email protected]

Linked In:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/stacy-martin-461b33a/

Seahorse Snacks:

https://seahorsesnacks.com/

Instagram: @seahorse_snacks

TikTok: @seahorse_snacks

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 Sonbol

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

Delve Health:

https://www.linkedin.com/company/delve-health/

https://delvehealth.com/