Inspiring Conversations with Shawna Martin of Clinical Associates of Orlando, LLC

Today we’d like to introduce you to Shawna Martin.

Shawna, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I decided seven years ago to start my own clinical trials practice. This decision didn’t come easily, but I had had my own practice doing therapy and psychological assessments before moving to Florida, so I knew that I could run my own practice again. Although I had been thinking about it for a few years, the ultimate deciding factor was my father being diagnosed with multiple myeloma and then soon after having a stroke and heart attack. I felt like I needed to make the jump to being able to spend more time with my family. I didn’t want to ever have to say, I wish I would have working a “9-5” that was more like 45-50 hour a week job with NO flexibility, I felt like I was missing important things in my kid’s lives. When I first started my practice, obviously, it took some time to build it up. I started with one clinical trial for Heavy bleeding with uterine fibroids. Once I obtained my first trial, I never looked back, and I just continued to go after more trials and have built it up over the last seven years. To this point, we have participated in over 40 clinical trials, many bringing medications to be approved by the FDA and are now available at the pharmacy. 4 years ago, my husband was able to leave the corporate world and joined me full time at the practice. Some people ask how we can work together everyday without killing each other. But I look at it as a joy to have my life partner as a business partner as well, and I feel like we can accomplish anything together. It has truly been a blessing to my family and building your own “brand” is very fulfilling.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Expectedly, there have been obstacles. Leaving a very financially stable job to do your own thing can come with a period of time where the income versus expenses is taxing. However, I knew that it would be temporary and always had a plan, and also a plan B, C, and D. The COVID-19 pandemic was a huge obstacle. Many drug companies put their studies or enrollment on hold, either to focus on other things or to protect the subjects in the studies from coming to the clinics at the time of the lockdown. However, we tried to focus on this as a positive. We have had new opportunities for trials as drug companies are trying to find effective vaccines and treatment.

We’ve been impressed with Clinical Associates of Orlando, LLC, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Clinical Associates of Orlando, LLC is a clinical trial site. What does that mean? We participate in Phase 2-4 clinical trials with medications and devices that are seeking FDA approval. We enroll patients and monitor the efficacy and safety of drugs that have yet to hit the market. We have board certified physicians and clinical staff that monitor the subject’s participation in the study, and we report back to the drug companies on what is happening with the patients and the drugs. Many times people say that our patients are “guinea pigs,” but we actually keep closer tabs on our patients than if you go to your doctor and he might write a prescription for you and say come back in six months. We monitor kidney and liver function through blood draws., We monitor vitals and heart functions through ECGS. We monitor efficacy through self-report and questionnaires. Depending on the study, our patients might undergo mammograms, bone density exams, ultrasounds, etc., to monitor any changes in their health. Why should someone participate in a trial with Clinical Associates of Orlando? People participate in clinical trials for a variety of reasons. These reasons can vary from person to person, but here are some main reasons why patients choose to do a clinical trial. *You may have access to new treatments before they are widely available. *You have the support of a team of health care providers who monitor your health closely. *The information gathered in a clinical trial can help your condition and millions of others with the same condition and add to scientific knowledge. You can be a medical HERO. *You might have access to treatment that you otherwise might not be able to afford. All services and medications are given to you at no charge. This might include physical examinations, laboratory services, medications and follow-up appointments. *Your current treatment might not be working and you want to have another option. *Time and travel is usually compensated after each visit. With Clinical Associates of Orlando, we are a smaller site, and we pride ourselves on knowing each patient by name. Our patients know that they can contact us and receive an immediate response. Our Principal Investigator, Dr. Anna Lizama Clark is a board-certified OB/GYN who truly gets to know each of her patients. They are not just a number to us. We have same-day appointments for first time patients. Currently we have trials enrolling for Endometriosis and have upcoming trials looking for healthy volunteers for a CMV vaccine study and women that have a history of sexually transmitted diseases. We have new trials starting often and we specialize in women’s health trials (fibroids, vaginal dryness, heavy bleeding, birth control, endometriosis) but we also have experience in pediatric studies (ADHD, Eczema, etc.) and general medical (vaccine studies, flu, cold/cough, hypertension, acne, etc).

Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
My advice for anyone wanting to start any business is to do research, research, and more research. That research should start with a self-evaluation. Ask questions of yourself, for example: what is your motivation? are you passionate about the venture? Are you willing to put in long hours? Are you comfortable with potential ebbs and flows in income? Can you accept rejection? Additionally, understand that you will make mistakes and that is okay and healthy – as long as you learn from them. Finally, have your plan A, but have back-up plans as well. Do not hesitate to go to Plan B if you need to. In addition, having a support system is helpful and always remember to take time out for yourself to reflect during good and challenging times.

Contact Info:

• Email: smartin@clinicalassociatesorlando.com
• Website: www.clinicalassociatesorlando.com
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Clinical-Associates-of-Orlando-LLC