HCA Healthcare Research Institute launches first North Central Florida program at Ocala Hospital
HCA Healthcare Research Institute, the multispecialty clinical research arm of HCA Healthcare, has selected HCA Florida Ocala Hospital as the site of its first program in North Central Florida. The hospital’s new research program manager, Dr. Charles Ledonio, is partnering with physician leadership to launch and oversee the program, which includes interventional clinical trials in cardiac and vascular disease as well as neuroscience. Dr. Ledonio previously specialized in orthopedic and sports medicine, ultimately focusing on spine research and contributing to nearly 50 publications.
“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, chief executive officer of HCA Florida Ocala Hospital. “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 Central Florida and beyond.”
HCA Florida Ocala Hospital is one of 48 HCA Healthcare sites, including nine in the HCA Florida Healthcare network, participating in research supported by the HCA Healthcare Research Institute. The multispecialty clinical research organization brings together pharmaceutical and biotechnology partners with community-based providers affiliated with HCA Healthcare to advance medicine. As of 2024, the HCA Healthcare Research Institute had enrolled about 3,000 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
By joining the Research Institute, HCA Florida Ocala Hospital continues to explore and promote research-driven care and train the next generation of physicians in the latest and most effective medical techniques. For more information about the clinical trials, patients should speak to their doctor or research coordinator.