OCALA, FL (352today.com) – HCA Florida Ocala Hospital has been selected by the HCA Healthcare Research Institute to launch the institute’s first research program in North Florida.
Dr. Charles Ledonio, the hospital’s research program manager, has partnered with physician leadership to oversee and launch the program, one that includes interventional clinical trials in cardiac and vascular disease and neuroscience.
Ledonio brings a wealth of experience to his new role, having previously specialized in orthopedic and sports medicine, eventually directing his energies toward focusing on spine research.
“By becoming part of the HCA Healthcare Research Institute and bringing in Dr. Charles Ledonio to manage the program, HCA Florida Ocala Hospital is expanding its scope and influence as a teaching and research facility,” said Alan Keesee, HCA Florida Ocala Hospital CEO. “We are excited to take this next step to unlock insights into real-world data and clinical studies that in collaboration with the HCA Healthcare Research Institute will lead to scientific breakthroughs and transform patient care for North Florida and beyond.”
HCA Florida Ocala Hospital has the distinction of being one of 48 healthcare sites, including nine in the sunshine state that are part of the HCA Florida healthcare network, participating in multispecialty clinical research that is supported by the HCA Healthcare Research Institute.
The multispecialty clinical research organization unites pharmaceutical and biotechnology partners with community-based providers affiliated with HCA Healthcare to advance medicine.
As of 2024, the HCA Healthcare Research Insititute had enrolled about 3000 patients in 416 active trials.
The Research Institute supports the following areas of patient-centered research:
- Behavioral Health
- Cardiac and Vascular
- Musculoskeletal
- Neuroscience
- Non-Therapeutic
- Oncology
- Pulmonary and Thoracic
- Robotics
- Solid Organ Transplants
- Women and Children’s Health