Feasibility & Site Selection for Sponsors
Everything a sponsor or CRO needs to evaluate CMR as a Phase II–IV clinical trial site — investigator roster with downloadable CVs, recruitment reach, equipment, IP and specimen storage, operational turnaround, and a direct feasibility inquiry form.
Regulatory Documentation Target
We aim to complete and return requested regulatory documents within 48-72 hours of receiving the necessary materials, subject to study-specific requirements. Refers to document preparation and return — not IRB approval or overall site activation.
Study Start-Up Processes
Regulatory documentation, ICF review, CTA/budget negotiations, study system access, source document preparation, and IRB activities proceed in parallel wherever possible, with each item submitted as soon as it is ready.
Independent Research Site
As an independent research site, CMR does not require internal committee reviews or departmental approvals. We coordinate submissions with the central IRB designated for each study.
Phase II–IV & Device Study Experience
Documented experience across drug and device protocols with board-certified investigators and dedicated CRCs.
Phase II–IV Drug Trials
Extensive documented experience across cardiovascular, metabolic, renal, and endocrine drug protocols.
Device Studies
Experience with cardiovascular and related medical device protocols, including interventional cardiology studies.
Dedicated CRCs
Clinical Research Coordinators support screening, enrollment, EDC entry, retention, and monitoring visit coordination.
Therapeutic Area Capabilities
Broad therapeutic areas supported by our investigators' documented trial experience.
Cardiovascular Medicine
85+ protocols
Endocrinology & Metabolism
70+ protocols
Nephrology
35+ protocols
Pulmonology
20+ protocols
Orthopedics & Musculoskeletal Disorders
15+ protocols
Pain Management
15+ protocols
Immunology & Rheumatology
On Request protocols
Infectious Diseases & Vaccines
On Request protocols
Neurology & Neuroscience
On Request protocols
Behavioral Health & Addiction Medicine
On Request protocols
Investigator Profiles & Downloadable CVs
Board-certified Principal Investigators and leadership with documented research experience.
Nusrat Deen
President & Chief Executive Officer
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
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
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
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
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
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.
Recruitment Database & Patient Access
Our 10,100+ recruitment records and physician-referral network enable immediate study-specific prescreening. We have access to diverse and historically underrepresented patient populations — including African American communities — through our locations and affiliated physician practices, with experience recruiting participants with multiple chronic conditions.
Research Locations & Equipment
Two fully equipped sites in the south Chicago suburbs.
CMR Hazel Crest Research Facility
3330 W. 177th Street, Suite 3E, Hazel Crest, IL 60429
708-798-8522 · hazelcrest@cmrllc1.com
Medical Director: Suhail H. Khadra, MD, FACC, FSCAI
CMR Orland Park Research Facility
14482 John Humphrey Dr, Orland Park, IL 60462
708-963-2005 · akhan@cmrllc1.com
Medical Director: Tahir A. Abbasi, MD
IP & Specimen Storage Capabilities
Both investigational product and biological specimen storage have continuous 24-hour temperature monitoring with automated excursion alerts and backup power supply.
Investigational Product Storage
- Secure IP storage under protocol-required ambient or refrigerated conditions
- Continuous 24-hour temperature monitoring with automated excursion alerts
- Backup power supply for temperature-controlled storage
- Temperature documentation, accountability, and excursion management procedures
Biological Specimen Storage
- Dedicated −20°C and −80°C freezers for biological specimen storage
- Continuous 24-hour temperature monitoring with automated excursion alerts
- Backup power supply and applicable specimen storage and handling procedures
Study Start-Up & Regulatory
A streamlined, parallel start-up process designed to move studies to activation quickly.
We aim to complete and return requested regulatory documents within 48-72 hours of receiving the necessary materials, subject to study-specific requirements. As an independent research site, CMR does not require internal committee reviews or departmental approvals.
Our team coordinates submissions with the central IRB designated for each study. We generally require minimal changes to sponsor-provided ICFs beyond site-specific information, with any necessary redlines typically returned within 2-3 business days for sponsor/CRO review before IRB submission.
Regulatory documentation, ICF review, CTA/budget negotiations, study system access, source document preparation, and IRB activities proceed in parallel wherever possible, with each item submitted as soon as it is ready.
Central IRB approval is typically anticipated within approximately two weeks of submission, depending on the reviewing IRB and study-specific requirements. Protocol-specific training is completed by the SIV, and enrollment can begin once all start-up requirements, IRB approval, SIV, and sponsor activation are complete.
Note: The 48-72 hour target refers specifically to regulatory document preparation and return — not IRB approval or overall site activation.
Study Start-Up, EDC, ePRO & Operational Support
Comprehensive operational capabilities across the study lifecycle.
Study Start-Up & Regulatory
48-72 hour regulatory documentation target, parallel start-up processes, and no internal committee review required as an independent research site.
EDC & ePRO Experience
Full electronic data capture and electronic patient-reported outcome system proficiency and source documentation.
Safety Reporting & IP Accountability
Experience with safety reporting, investigational product accountability, and protocol-required diagnostic assessments.
Monitoring Visit Support
Private CRA monitoring suites, high-speed internet, and prompt review and resolution of sponsor/CRO data queries.
Audit & Inspection Readiness
Support for monitoring visits, audits, and regulatory inspections with organized source documentation.
Query Resolution
Prompt review and resolution of sponsor/CRO data queries.
Sponsor & CRO Collaborations
CMR has collaborated with leading pharmaceutical sponsors and global CROs on Phase II–IV protocols.
New Study & Partnership Inquiries
Direct to Site LeadershipContact our team to discuss investigator availability, site capabilities, and potential study fit. We can coordinate CDA execution and subsequent feasibility review.
Need a Full Overview of Our Capabilities?
Download our professionally formatted Site Capability Statement (PDF) including approved statistics, investigator roster, therapeutic areas, locations, equipment, and recruitment capabilities.