DM Clinical Research, a leading multi-therapeutic site network, has partnered with Dr. Jeremy McConnell, founder of Florida Sleep Specialists, to establish an embedded clinical research site in Bradenton, Florida. The collaboration aims to expand access to clinical trials for obesity and sleep disorders while bringing innovative treatment options to underserved communities in the region.
The new research site will leverage DM Clinical Research's nearly two decades of experience and proprietary technologies to advance medical solutions for the growing obesity epidemic and related sleep disorders. This partnership represents a significant step in making cutting-edge clinical trials more accessible to patients across Florida.
Mohammad Millwala, CEO of DM Clinical Research, emphasized the strategic importance of the collaboration: "We look forward to advancing clinical research as a trusted patient care option and building a strong, impactful partnership with Dr. McConnell. By combining DM Clinical Research's capabilities with his expertise, we look forward to delivering effective obesity solutions for patients in Bradenton and its surrounding areas."
Addressing Critical Public Health Challenges
Obesity rates continue to rise globally, creating an urgent need for innovative treatment approaches. The partnership between DM Clinical Research and Florida Sleep Specialists addresses this challenge by integrating clinical research directly into patient care settings, potentially accelerating the development of new therapeutic options.
Dr. McConnell brings significant expertise to the collaboration. After receiving his medical degree from Albany Medical College and completing his residency at Bayfront Family Health Center in St. Petersburg, he achieved his Master's Fellowship with the Obesity Association in 2023. He is board-certified in Family Medicine, Sleep, and Obesity, with over 20 years of clinical experience.
"I am thrilled to partner with DM Clinical Research and to integrate their capabilities into my practice," said Dr. McConnell. "This collaboration enables me to provide my patients access to innovative solutions and technologies that can elevate medical care. With obesity rates continuing to rise globally, integrating clinical research provides us access to the vital resources needed to develop comprehensive, patient-centric treatments."
Expanding Research Infrastructure
The embedded site model represents an evolving approach to clinical research that brings trials directly into existing medical practices. This model can potentially improve patient recruitment and retention while ensuring that research protocols align with real-world clinical practice.
For DM Clinical Research, the partnership expands its nationwide network, which now includes over 35 research centers and physician practice embedded sites across various therapeutic areas. The company has received recognition for its work, including the 2024 Society for Clinical Research Sites Site Spark Award and the 2023 Best Clinical Trial Network Award by World Vaccine Congress.
The collaboration will utilize DM Clinical Research's in-house technologies and comprehensive centralized services to streamline trial operations. This infrastructure support allows Dr. McConnell to focus on clinical aspects while benefiting from established research protocols and quality assurance processes.
Implications for Patient Care
For patients in Bradenton and surrounding areas, this partnership creates new opportunities to access cutting-edge treatments through clinical trials. Participation in these trials can provide patients with potential therapeutic options that might not otherwise be available through standard care pathways.
The focus on both obesity and sleep disorders acknowledges the complex relationship between these conditions. Sleep disorders such as obstructive sleep apnea are frequently associated with obesity, and comprehensive treatment approaches that address both conditions simultaneously may yield better outcomes.
By embedding research capabilities within an established clinical practice, the partnership aims to create a seamless experience for patients, where research participation becomes an integrated component of their overall care plan rather than a separate endeavor.
This model of integrated research and clinical care could serve as a template for future collaborations, particularly in therapeutic areas where traditional research approaches have struggled to address complex, multifactorial conditions like obesity.
