Improve Patient Support Resulting In Higher Enrollment And Retention In Clinical Trials By Applying Corporate Meetings Management Best Practices

A career path that began in engineering took an unexpected turn into the meetings industry, where early exposure to Strategic Meetings Management (SMM) demonstrated how structured programs, clear policies, and strong supplier networks could streamline operations and deliver measurable results. Experience across large and small organizations, including time supporting a major pharmaceutical company, highlighted how varied stakeholder needs can be aligned when quality, consistency, and transparency are prioritized.

A major turning point came in 2013 with the development of a concierge-style support service for patients in a rare disease clinical trial. By coordinating travel, prepaying expenses, easing logistical burdens, and applying hospitality principles, the team helped improve recruitment, shorten timelines, and significantly increase retention. The approach expanded to more than 20 countries and ultimately inspired a shift toward full-time patient logistics services.

Despite clear benefits, only a small subset of trial participants had access to such support, revealing opportunities to reduce burdens, enhance visibility into spending, and create efficiencies across all trials. These insights led to the founding of Block Clinical Inc. and the development of Strategic Patient Support Programs (SPSP) — a model built on policy, technology, and service that enables consistent, patient-centered support and strengthens trial performance from end to end.