Moving Medicine Forward

In this MMF Rewind, we’re bringing back an important conversation with Lynda Lee Smith—one that shines a light on the ongoing challenges transplant families face and the critical role of research in improving outcomes.

Lynda Lee Smith, CEO of Enduring Hearts, is featured on the Moving Medicine Forward Podcast to discuss the mission and impact of the nation’s only nonprofit dedicated to funding pediatric heart transplant research. In this conversation, Lynda addresses the challenges transplant families face and how research is improving outcomes and quality of life. Listen now and consider donating to Enduring Hearts here.

00:55 The mission behind the only organization dedicated exclusively to pediatric heart transplant research.

01:19 How Lynda found Enduring Hearts and its mission-driven work.

02:45 The personal story that exposed a major research gap in pediatric heart transplantation.

03:50 Why heart transplants are lifesaving, but not a cure.

04:22 More on home blood tests and their role in reducing invasive biopsies and improving quality of life.

05:39 Why Enduring Hearts focuses on making one transplant last a lifetime.

07:06 How Enduring Hearts supports bold research ideas before larger funders step in.

09:40 The unique challenges teenagers face after transplant and how research helps.

12:05 Addressing the financial, emotional, and logistical burdens families face.

15:21 Programs that connect families navigating life after pediatric transplant.

15:49 Enduring Hearts’ innovative approach to engaging a new generation through gaming.

18:04 The move toward DNA informed, individualized treatment plans.

19:19 What real success looks like for pediatric heart transplant patients.

21:08 Stories of resilience, progress, and hope for the future.

In this episode, Jon Koch, CEO, and Brian Lawrence, CFO and President, share their perspective on what’s next for CTI as the organization enters a new phase of growth. They reflect on CTI’s legacy of partnership and execution while outlining how they plan to expand its impact across complex clinical trials.

From scaling capabilities and investing in talent to strengthening operational discipline and embracing data driven decision-making, Jon and Brian offer an inside look at how leadership alignment is shaping strategy. They also explore the evolving demands of the clinical research industry, from the need for predictability and site support to the practical application of technology and AI.

At its core, this conversation is about balancing growth with purpose: delivering for sponsors, strengthening teams, and ultimately improving outcomes for patients.

00:35 CTI leadership transition and future focus
01:23 Expanding reach in complex and advanced therapy trials
02:48 Disciplined growth strategy and global expansion
05:03 CTI’s legacy of care, credibility, and partnership
06:39 Driving performance through metrics and accountability
09:28 Leadership alignment and partnership in action
12:38 Talent development, infrastructure, and AI enablement
14:38 Positioning for growth in complex trials
17:37 Key industry trends: predictability, sites, and tech
21:05 Sustaining culture and employee experience
22:33 Long-term vision: scale, impact, and global presence
25:39 Closing takeaways: quality, people, and execution

What does effective medical leadership look like in today’s complex research environment? In this episode of Moving Medicine Forward, Dr. Sliman discusses his path from patient care to clinical research leadership. Drawing on decades of experience, Dr. Sliman shares lessons on staying patient‑centered, navigating regulatory realities, and leading teams within evolving healthcare systems—offering practical insights for physicians and researchers shaping the future of clinical development.

00:36 Dr. Sliman’s background spanning clinical care, research, and medical leadership.

01:10 Pop culture influences (MASH*, Star Trek) and family roots in healthcare that sparked Dr. Sliman’s interest in becoming a physician.

03:42 Early research experiences and witnessing healthcare disparities in developing countries.

05:05 Why individual patient journeys still matter—even as studies scale and become more complex.

06:55 Leading within financial, regulatory, and operational constraints while staying patient‑centered.

08:32 Lessons on navigating rules, expanding boundaries, and achieving outcomes through collaboration.

10:36 Building infrastructure, sharing institutional knowledge, and avoiding repeated mistakes in clinical development.

11:53 Endpoint strategy, patient population selection, and negotiating within regulatory frameworks.

13:19 Understanding evolving regulatory expectations and operating effectively within them.

14:26 Why learning the system—regulatory, operational, and corporate—is essential.

16:02 Balancing passion for patient care with research experience and real‑world trial exposure.

19:27 Reflections on medicine, leadership, and the importance of staying connected to patient impact.

Dr. Robert Wagner, Senior Medical Director and Principal Investigator at CTI’s Clinical Research Center, shares more about clinical trial operations at research sites.  Reflecting on nearly three decades in internal medicine and hospital‑based care, Dr. Wagner shares his path from patient care into clinical research, how that experience shapes his approach as an investigator, and why strong research sites are critical to trial quality and outcomes. The conversation also touches on the day‑to‑day realities of running trials and how site operations, technology, and patient‑centered practices continue to evolve.

01:00 His past experiences and current role as a Principal Investigator at CTI.

03:00 How clinical experience shaped his transition into research.

05:30 Daily responsibilities and the importance of sites.

08:30 Technology, recruitment, and patient access.

10:45 Guidance for physicians and patients; the future of clinical research.

Halle Raicevich, Research Associates Manager; Rick Renko, Project Manager, Regulatory & Scientific Affairs; and Alexa Kehoe, Senior Clinical Project Coordinator, are featured on this episode of the Moving Medicine Forward podcast to discuss CTI’s Research Associate (RA) Program. This pathway is designed to help emerging talent gain real‑world experience while exploring opportunities across the industry. Tune in to explore the value of mentorship and early exposure for professionals beginning their careers and learn how CTI’s people‑first culture supports growth at every stage.

00:51 Meet the guests: Halle Raicevich, Ricky Renko, and Alexa Kehoe
01:23 Overview of the RA program and its role as an entry point into clinical research
03:00 Why CTI invests in early‑career development and hands‑on learning
04:08 How cross‑department exposure builds confidence and strengthens collaboration
04:49 A typical day for a Research Associate
05:57 Skills gained through the RA role
07:06 The importance of flexibility and mentorship
08:20 How the RA program supports long‑term career growth across functions
09:18 Expanding the RA program internationally and lessons learned from global implementation
10:56 Developing future leaders through mentorship
12:23 Advice for those considering the RA program or a career in clinical research
14:27 Community involvement and CTI’s people‑first culture
16:37 Why the program is a powerful career foundation

Vincent Drouillon, Vice President of Global Central Lab Strategy and Growth at CTI, discusses how central laboratory services support clinical trials. He shares his path into laboratory medicine, explains why early collaboration and partnership are key to trial success, and outlines how global alignment and integrated lab solutions help sponsors move medicine forward.

00:36 Overview of Vincent’s role and background in laboratory medicine and clinical research.

01:18 Vincent’s career path and what drew him to central laboratory services.

02:37 The global impact of central labs and their role in developing new medicines.

03:44 Why global collaboration and diverse perspectives matter in central lab work.

04:28 Recognizing laboratory professionals and the importance of Lab Week.

05:26 Leading growth, scalability, and strategy for CTI’s central lab services.

06:55 How CTI’s quality-focused, flexible, and holistic approach differentiates its lab services.

07:54 Supporting complex and integrated clinical trials across specialized therapeutic areas.

09:29 Why lab planning and logistics are often underestimated in trial design.

11:19 The value of early engagement to reduce risk and prevent downstream delays.

14:39 Emerging capabilities shaping the future of laboratory services, including AI, analytics, and personalized medicine.

17:12 Closing reflections on partnership, patient impact, and the role of laboratories in moving medicine forward.

Shakirah Bradford, Senior Director of Vendor Management and Sourcing at CTI, discusses the key relationships that support clinical research. She also shares her unconventional path into sourcing and highlights why vendor management is uniquely complex within regulated environments. Since joining CTI, Shakirah has helped shift vendor relationships from transactional to strategic, equipping teams with the partnerships and tools needed to move medicine forward. 

00:33 Overview of Shakirah’s role and cross industry background in vendor management. 

01:25 How relationship building led Shakirah into sourcing and vendor management. 

03:09 Selecting, contracting, and overseeing third-party vendors across the organization. 

04:00 A housebuilding analogy to explain the role in everyday terms. 

04:42 The impact of global regulations and quality requirements on vendor oversight. 

05:31 How trust and long-term relationships improve execution and efficiency. 

06:47 What defines true partnerships in clinical research. 

07:52 Shakirah’s evolving approach to collaboration and stakeholder needs. 

08:37 Why creativity, curiosity, listening, and asking questions matter. 

09:32 Choosing an industry you’re passionate about and staying connected to patient impact. 

11:17 Final reflections on passion and partnership.  

Lynda Lee Smith, CEO of Enduring Hearts, is featured on the Moving Medicine Forward Podcast to discuss the mission and impact of the nation’s only nonprofit dedicated to funding pediatric heart transplant research. In this conversation, Lynda addresses the challenges transplant families face and how research is improving outcomes and quality of life. Listen now and consider donating to Enduring Hearts here.

00:00:55 The mission behind the only organization dedicated exclusively to pediatric heart transplant research.

01:19 How Lynda found Enduring Hearts and its mission-driven work.

02:45 The personal story that exposed a major research gap in pediatric heart transplantation.

03:50 Why heart transplants are lifesaving, but not a cure.

04:22 More on home blood tests and their role in reducing invasive biopsies and improving quality of life.

05:39 Why Enduring Hearts focuses on making one transplant last a lifetime.

07:06 How Enduring Hearts supports bold research ideas before larger funders step in.

09:40 The unique challenges teenagers face after transplant and how research helps.

12:05 Addressing the financial, emotional, and logistical burdens families face.

15:21 Programs that connect families navigating life after pediatric transplant.

15:49 Enduring Hearts’ innovative approach to engaging a new generation through gaming.

18:04 The move toward DNA informed, individualized treatment plans.

19:19 What real success looks like for pediatric heart transplant patients.

21:08 Stories of resilience, progress, and hope for the future.

What drives success at a clinical research site?

Adam Roth, VP of Research Site Services, and Nick Finan, Director of Business Development and Client Management, share insights on site operations at CTI’s Clinical Research Center. They discuss feasibility, patient experience, trust based partnerships, and why operational realism is key to delivering high-quality clinical trials. Throughout the conversation, Adam and Nick also explain how strong collaboration among sites, sponsors, and CROs ultimately drives better outcomes for patients.

01:00 Adam Roth and Nick Finan share their roles supporting site operations and sponsor partnerships at CTI.

02:30 An overview of day-to-day site operations and resourcing throughout all phases of clinical trials.

04:00 How feasibility, therapeutic expertise, and operational readiness guide trial selection.

06:00 Why understanding patient and staff realities leads to better‑designed, better‑executed studies.

09:30 Building long‑term relationships through honest conversations about consistency and delivery.

11:00 How CTI preserves ethical boundaries while supporting productive collaboration.

13:00 Using site experience to improve CRA training and organizational best practices.

16:00 Why the strongest sponsor, CRO, and site relationships are built on shared goals.

20:45 Reflections on teamwork, trust, and moving medicine forward together.

Antibody drug conjugates (ADCs) are transforming cancer research — but how do they actually work, and what does it take to bring them safely to patients?

In this episode of Moving Medicine Forward, we speak with scientist Lidia Blasco about the science and promise of antibody drug conjugates (ADCs) in cancer research. Lidia shares her journey from pharmacy and forensic analysis to oncology research, explaining in clear terms how ADCs work, why they’re transforming treatment, and what it means to develop them responsibly. The conversation also highlights the human side of clinical trials and the patients who make medical progress possible.

01:18 – Lidia Blasco’s background and path into ADC research
02:30 – Balancing PhD work with hands‑on industry lab experience
03:40 – Antibody drug conjugates explained simply
04:45 – Why ADCs are a promising cancer treatment approach
06:26 – The goal and impact of Lidia’s PhD research platform
07:30 – Improving dosing decisions and patient safety in clinical trials
08:06 – Emerging trends and innovations in ADC development
09:27 – Advice for those considering a career in oncology research
10:43 – Honoring the patients behind the research samples
12:53 – Closing reflections and final takeaways