Accelerating Clinical Trials Through Experience & Diverse Recruitment
Chicago Medical Research (CMR) delivers experienced investigators, dedicated clinical research coordinators (CRCs), and access to diverse, historically underrepresented patient populations for pharmaceutical sponsors and CROs across cardiovascular, metabolic, renal, and endocrine protocols.
Why Sponsors Choose Chicago Medical Research
Phase II–IV and device study experience, proven recruitment, and dedicated clinical research coordinators.
Experienced Investigators
Board-certified cardiologists, endocrinologists, and internists with documented Phase II–IV drug and device study experience across two Chicago sites.
10,100+ Recruitment Records
An established patient database and physician-referral network enable immediate study-specific prescreening and access to diverse, historically underrepresented patient populations — including African American communities served through our locations and affiliated practices.
48-72 Hour Regulatory Target
Parallel study start-up processes and no internal committee review required as an independent research site — with dedicated clinical research coordinators (CRCs) supporting screening, enrollment, and monitoring visits.
Therapeutic Area Capabilities
250+ protocols across our investigators' documented research experience.
Cardiovascular Medicine
Our most extensively documented area of experience — spanning heart failure, coronary disease, hypertension, and lipid-driven ASCVD protocols across both sites.
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Type 2 diabetes, obesity, and metabolic syndrome protocols led by our endocrinology investigators at the Orland Park facility.
Nephrology
Cardiorenal and chronic kidney disease experience, frequently in participants with overlapping cardiometabolic conditions.
Pulmonology
Respiratory study experience supported by our investigators' internal medicine and clinical trial backgrounds.
Orthopedics & Musculoskeletal Disorders
Musculoskeletal and related pain protocols supported by our investigators' documented trial experience.
Pain Management
Chronic and post-procedural pain study experience aligned with our musculoskeletal and internal medicine programs.
Immunology & Rheumatology
Supported by our investigators' broader documented trial experience in related inflammatory and chronic conditions.
Infectious Diseases & Vaccines
Supported by our investigators' broader documented trial experience across adult internal medicine populations.
Neurology & Neuroscience
Supported by our investigators' broader documented trial experience in adult chronic-disease populations.
Behavioral Health & Addiction Medicine
Supported by our investigators' broader documented trial experience in adult community-based populations.
Leadership & Principal Investigators
Board-certified physicians and experienced leadership driving quality, patient safety, and data integrity.
Nusrat Deen
President & Chief Executive Officer
Executive Leadership
With decades of executive leadership in clinical research management, Nusrat Deen guides CMR's organizational growth, sponsor partnerships, and multi-site operational strategy. Her oversight spans the full study lifecycle — from feasibility and site selection through activation, enrollment, and close-out — across both Hazel Crest and Orland Park facilities.
Suhail H. Khadra, MD, FACC, FSCAI
Medical Director, CMR – Hazel Crest · Principal Investigator
Cardiology & Interventional Cardiology
Dr. Khadra previously served as Director of the Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory and Acting Chairman of Cardiology at Cook County Health. A Fellow of the American College of Cardiology and the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions, he has served as Principal Investigator on 33+ Phase II–IV trials spanning heart failure, atrial fibrillation, hypertension, CKD, and obesity-related cardiac conditions.
Tahir A. Abbasi, MD
Medical Director, CMR – Orland Park · Principal Investigator
Internal Medicine, Cardiology & Clinical Research
Dr. Abbasi previously served as Director of Non-Invasive Cardiology at Oak Forest Hospital and holds attending cardiologist privileges at multiple Chicago-area hospitals, including Ingalls Memorial/University of Chicago. He has served as Principal Investigator on 17+ Phase II–IV trials spanning heart failure, hypertension, CKD, and diabetes.
Wahid Kassar, MD, FACE
Principal Investigator, CMR – Orland Park
Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolic Research
Dr. Kassar serves as Medical Director of the Diabetes Center at Silver Cross Hospital. A Fellow of the American Association of Clinical Endocrinology and past President of its Illinois Chapter, he brings documented experience as Principal Investigator on Phase II–IV diabetes, obesity, and cardiometabolic trials, with international CME faculty speaking engagements across diabetes and obesity management.
Eden D. Brandon, MD
Principal Investigator, CMR – Hazel Crest
Internal Medicine & Clinical Research
A graduate of Northwestern University School of Medicine, Dr. Brandon also serves as an internist at Ingalls Memorial Hospital. She has served as Principal Investigator on Phase II–IV trials spanning heart failure, hypertension, CKD, diabetes, and obesity-related cardiac conditions.
Lauren Baffo, MSN, APRN, FNP-C
Sub-Investigator, CMR – Hazel Crest
Sub-Investigator — Clinical Trial Support
A board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner, Lauren Baffo supports Principal Investigators with participant evaluation, protocol-required assessments, ECGs, physical examinations, medication reconciliation, and study procedure support. She brings cardiology-focused clinical experience from Chandra Diagnostic Cardiology and high-acuity perioperative nursing from Loyola University Medical Center.
Sponsor & CRO Collaborations
CMR has collaborated with leading pharmaceutical sponsors and global CROs on Phase II–IV protocols.
Our Research Facilities & Locations
Fully equipped clinical sites serving diverse urban & suburban patient populations.
CMR Hazel Crest Research Facility
3330 W. 177th Street, Suite 3E, Hazel Crest, IL 60429
708-798-8522
- 12-Lead ECG & Continuous Holter Monitoring
- 2D Echocardiography Suite
- Cardiac Stress Testing & Cardiopulmonary Monitoring
- Phlebotomy & Refrigerated Specimen Centrifuge
CMR Orland Park Research Facility
14482 John Humphrey Dr, Orland Park, IL 60462
708-963-2005
- Endocrinology & Metabolic Screening Labs
- Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM) Calibration
- Point-of-Care HbA1c & Lipid Panels
- Phlebotomy & Specimen Processing Station
Are You Seeking a Clinical Study in the Chicago Area?
CMR is actively recruiting participants. Qualified subjects receive study-related medical care and may receive compensation for time and travel.