Get to Know... Katie Goodman, AON Vice President of Clinical Research

Get to Know… Katie Goodman, AON Vice President of Clinical Research

1. How long have you been with AON?

About two years ago, I formally transitioned from Florida Cancer Specialists to work with AON full time but have been supporting AON since day one.

2. What does a “day in the life” look like for you in your role?

I work from my home in Sarasota, Florida. I like to start my day with coffee and exercise before I dive into a day filled with meetings, which all revolve around opening and managing the execution of clinical trials in multiple AON locations. There will be meetings with study sponsors interested in learning about us and other appointments with people we currently work with who need assistance or updates on the status of work we currently support.

3. What goals are you and your team working to achieve?

2024 will be a big year for AON research! Our team is working hard to add to our centralized services so that we can better support various aspects of managing clinical research for more AON practices. To name a few, we have plans to implement an electronic regulatory process that will ease our workload in the “behind the scenes” paperwork required to run trials. In 2023, we implemented a trial management system that tracks the research services and billing of our work-to-study sponsors. We are going to expand on this in 2024 to capture and collect all the research activities occurring in our practices. AON also has practices that are either new to research or want to start research programs. We are going to launch and continue to grow research programs where we have practice interest. I am also working closely with data scientists at MiBA (Meaningful Insights Biotech Analytics) to improve trial-matching capabilities. This will ease the process of matching patients with the right clinical trials in 2024.

4. How does your role contribute to AON’s overall mission and goals?

For me, bringing clinical trials to the community is the epitome of providing the highest quality of care to patients.

5. What are you most proud of when it comes to your team and department?

There is nothing more rewarding than hearing of a new FDA drug approval and knowing that we played a role in making that new treatment option available for patients. It is not uncommon for researchers to see their own patients doing well and even a disease responding to an investigational treatment, which is incredible, but when the FDA approves these new drugs, it means the treatment becomes available to patients everywhere. That really motivates me on challenging and frustrating days. I have seen how this research and our data can change outcomes for patients everywhere.

6. What principles guide your work and vision?

I truly abide by the patient-first principle; safety must always be part of our decision-making. There are federal regulations that govern how we conduct clinical trials, and I can link nearly everyone back to patient safety. Sometimes, it is the safety of the patient whom we are providing care for at the moment, and sometimes, it is the thousands of patients who may receive the drug at some time in the future.

7. How do you define the word success?

Professional success is celebrating with a research colleague who has successfully enrolled a patient on a clinical trial — which is never easy! Personal success is simply self-fulfillment; happiness in where I am in life. At 54, I think I might finally be there … maybe.

8. How do you lead your team? What is your leadership style?

My leadership style has evolved to be largely collaborative. I believe that we will be more successful if we are all part of the solution.

9. What’s your favorite part about working for AON?

I love working in a network that is wonderfully diverse and has so much in common at the same time. In one day, I can speak to someone on the opposite side of the country who has a different background but is working on the same study and managing the same types of patients. Working at AON has given me a chance to meet so many new people from all over the United States — I love that!

10. What has been the most memorable moment for you while you’ve worked for AON?

There are many, but collectively, it is the excitement of our new investigators when we can bring them various clinical trials. Research programs are hard to start and run, but it is nice when it is recognized that we make a difference by contributing a study menu.

11. What motivates you to get up and get to work in the morning?

I am motivated to get to work usually because I have various projects that I am excited to see through. I enjoy having the authority to implement changes.

12. What is a quote you live and/or work by?

“Remember no one can make you feel inferior without your consent.” - Eleanor Roosevelt

13. What are your favorite hobbies outside of work?

New for me in 2020, I’m a camper. I have a small group of friends (fellow empty nesters) who camp mostly throughout Florida, but I want to hit every national park!

14. What is your favorite book (or books)?

My favorite genre is historical fiction. I just finished “Bright Young Women” by Jessica Knoll, and it was a very interesting read.

15. What is a fun fact about you?

I strictly adhere to the “arrive at the airport two hours early” rule. It drives my husband crazy.

16. What piece of advice would you give your younger self?

Travel more!

17. List three adjectives that describe your personality.

Curious, empathetic but also opinionated.

18. What is one of your favorite travel destinations, or where do you hope to travel to in your lifetime?

Zion National Park is incredible, but I hear Glacier is even better. The list of places I want to travel to is ridiculously long!

19. Who is your hero?

I like the everyday hero, someone who defies the odds and inspires others. These heroes are everywhere.

20. If you had three wishes, what would they be?

Be a good dancer, world peace and three more wishes (duh). 