Tampa, FL – Cathy Collins, backed by Avego Healthcare Capital, has completed the acquisition of Meridien Research, returning to her former role as Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Along with Meridien’s new Chief Operating Officer (COO), Stacey Colado, she joins current Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Andrew Cutler, MD to form the new leadership team.
Meridien Research is a private, six-clinic site network with 100 employees that focuses on a wide range of medical and mental health research studies.
Cathy Collins was one of the original co-founders of Meridien Research and previously served as CEO.
She is a seasoned clinical trial professional with over 23 years of experience at the senior leadership level. She has managed over 100 research centers in her career, including the development of 13 new research clinics. Cathy also served as Vice President of Operations for two national site management organizations – Clinical Studies LTD and Protocare Trials.
“It is with great pleasure and honor that I am stepping back in to lead the company I co-founded in 2000 and which is dear to my heart,” Cathy said. “In my absence, the company continued to grow and thrive, and I am very proud of what was accomplished. With the backing of a strong financial partner and the addition of experienced corporate staff members, I am confident we can take Meridien Research to greater heights in the future.”
As Chief Operating Officer, Stacey Colado will be responsible for leading clinical business operations while assisting the CEO with strategic growth plans. She has 12+ years of experience in the clinical research industry and served last as President/CEO of Talem Clinical Consulting where she provided consulting services for large clinical research sites in the areas of site management, quality assurance, staff development and project management.
Stacey is well versed in managing large multi-disciplinary clinical operations teams with extensive experience and knowledge in the areas of clinical operations and quality assurance. Stacey has a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Radford University and her Clinical Research Coordinator professional certification from the Association of Clinical Research Professionals.
Andrew Cutler, MD, is excited to continue serving as Meridien’s Chief Medical Officer. “I am thrilled to have the opportunity to work with such talented and experienced professionals as Cathy and Stacey to further our mission of performing the highest quality research to develop new medicines and treatments for people in need,” he said.
Dr Cutler joined Meridien Research in 2016, when it acquired Florida Clinical Research Center, which he founded in 1998. Dr. Cutler is board certified in both Psychiatry and Internal Medicine and has been conducting clinical research since 1993. Dr. Cutler speaks to professional and community audiences about the evaluation and treatment of mental illnesses such as ADHD, Bipolar Disorder (Manic-Depression), Major Depression, Anxiety Disorders and Schizophrenia. He is also a Principal Investigator at Meridien’s sites in Lakeland, Maitland and Bradenton.
If you would like to learn more about Meridien Research or any of the new corporate team, please call 813-540-6000.
About Meridien Research
Since 2000, Meridien Research has conducted more than 2,000 phase Ib-IV and PK and specialty studies in Central Florida across a wide range of therapeutic areas. With six privately-owned clinical trial facilities in St. Petersburg, Tampa, Maitland, Spring Hill, Bradenton and Lakeland, Meridien Research’s mission is to provide consistent, high-quality clinical research in a professional, ethical and timely manner.