Advancing research. Improving patient lives.

Dr. Ronald Ackerman is a highly respected physician, clinical researcher, and healthcare executive with more than four decades of experience leading clinical research and advancing medical innovation. He serves as Chief Executive Officer of Independence Clinical Research Alliance (ICRA), where he provides clinical, regulatory, and strategic leadership to a growing network of independent clinical research sites. Board certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology, Dr. Ackerman has served as a Principal Investigator, Medical Director, and executive leader on hundreds of clinical trials across pharmaceutical, biotechnology, diagnostics, and medical device sponsors. His experience spans Phase II–IV trials, observational studies, device validations, and large-scale specimen collection programs, with deep expertise in a number of specialties including women’s health, infectious disease, endocrinology, osteoporosis, HPV, various vaccine trials and gynecologic therapeutics. Dr. Ackerman has built and led multiple successful clinical research organizations establishing operations known for regulatory excellence, audit readiness, and consistent execution. Over decades of hands-on leadership, he has developed trusted, long-standing relationships with clinical research leaders, leading CROs and Sponsors, who value his clinical judgment, operational discipline, and unwavering commitment to clinical research excellence. He is widely regarded as a reliable and principled partner, and his sites have repeatedly been selected for complex and high-priority studies as a result of that trust. In addition to his operational leadership, Dr. Ackerman has held academic and advisory roles, including Clinical Professor appointments and participation on hospital ethics committees, quality assurance boards, and Sponsor advisory panels. He is a founding director of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and has also served on the Board of Directors for Palm West Hospital, contributing to clinical leadership, governance, and strategic oversight. His work has contributed to peer-reviewed publications and presentations at national and international scientific meetings. As CEO of ICRA, Dr. Ackerman brings a rare combination of deep clinical expertise, site-level operational experience, and enterprise leadership. He is committed to supporting independent research sites with the guidance, oversight, and mentorship needed to succeed, while preserving their independence and strengthening Sponsor and CRO confidence in the network. Dr. Ackerman is known throughout the industry for his integrity, professionalism, and long-term dedication to ethical, high-quality clinical research. His leadership anchors ICRA’s mission to build a trusted, execution-focused network where independent sites thrive and Sponsors and CROs can confidently place their trials.

Scott Wehage is a highly experienced clinical research operations leader with more than 22 years of experience across academic research, industry-sponsored trials, and medical device development. He is Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer of Independence Clinical Research Alliance (ICRA), where he leads operational strategy, trial execution, regulatory alignment, and site support across the network. Scott began his career at Johns Hopkins University, where he spent over 12 years leading investigator-initiated clinical trials. During this time, he played a central role in the submission of three Investigational New Drug (IND) applications and the execution of more than 20 clinical trials, contributing to over a dozen peer-reviewed publications. His academic foundation established a deep understanding of protocol design, regulatory compliance, data integrity, and study execution under rigorous oversight. He later transitioned into the medical device industry, where he was instrumental in the successful execution of a Premarket Approval (PMA) clinical trial with the FDA, as well as a 510(k) submission for a novel medical device. This experience strengthened his expertise in FDA interactions, complex regulatory pathways, and cross-functional collaboration between Sponsors, CROs, and research sites. Scott is a long-standing member of the Society of Clinical Research Associates (SOCRA) and has held the Certified Clinical Research Professional (CCRP) credential since 2011. He currently serves as Co-Chair of the SOCRA Baltimore Chapter, where he actively supports education, mentorship, and professional development within the clinical research community. At ICRA, Scott brings a disciplined, execution-focused approach to clinical trial operations. He works closely with independent research sites to optimize workflows, strengthen regulatory readiness, and ensure consistent, high-quality trial delivery. His leadership helps Sponsors and CROs gain confidence that studies conducted within the ICRA network are managed with precision, transparency, and adherence to the highest regulatory standards. Scott is known for his collaborative leadership style, operational rigor, and commitment to advancing clinical research through teamwork, accountability, and continuous improvement.