Rockville, Maryland

Velocity Clinical Research, Rockville

Velocity’s Internal Medicine research site in Rockville partners with Rockville Internal Medicine Group (RIMG) to conduct clinical trials for a broad range of investigational treatments, including vaccines and medicines developed to treat migraines, diabetes, acne, depression, high cholesterol, and other conditions. Founded in 1952, RIMG began conducting clinical trials with Meridian Clinical Research in 2018, before being acquired by Velocity in 2022.

Located just off of I-270, the site is easily accessible to thousands of patients in the Potomac and Rockville areas, including those established with the practice and diverse populations. All trials conducted at the site are performed in accordance with ICH and FDA guidelines, and in compliance with GCP. The Rockville team is committed to being a resource for study participants, to providing the highest quality of patient care with compassion and kindness, and to advancing medicine through research.

Velocity Clinical Research, Rockville
1201 Seven Locks Road, Suite 214, Rockville, MD 20854

Phone: (240) 698-2800

Email: info@velocityclinical.com

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About Velocity Clinical Research

155,000+ people have a joined a study at Velocity

Many people enjoy the study experience and have joined several clinical trials at Velocity.

Velocity has decades of research experience

With sites that were established as long ago as 1986, Velocity has experts who have supported clinical trials for decades.

Velocity studies are led by healthcare professionals

All clinical trials conducted at Velocity are overseen by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Our experienced research team in Rockville

Every clinical trial is overseen by a Principal Investigator – a physician who is responsible for the rights, safety and welfare of the study participants. All physicians at Velocity are board certified in their specialty area(s) and all research staff is trained in clinical research regulations, including GCP and HIPAA. Our clinical research team in Rockville is dedicated to conducting quality research in a professional and caring environment.

  • Alan Pollack, MD

    Principal Investigator
    Alan Pollack, MD serves in a managerial position at RIMG in addition to seeing and treating patients as both a primary care physician and a pulmonary consultant. He specializes in pulmonary medicine and internal medicine. Board certified in Pulmonary Medicine and Internal Medicine, Dr. Pollack graduated from University of Maryland in College Park, MD with a Bachelor of Science Degree and the Maryland School of Medicine in Baltimore, MD with a Doctor of Medicine degree. He completed an internal medicine internship at Georgetown University Hospital in Washington, DC and an internal medicine residency at Georgetown University Hospital. Dr. Pollack also completed a pulmonary medicine fellowship at Georgetown University Hospital. He is a Fellow of the American College of Chest Physicians, as well as a member of the American College of Physicians, and Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society.

  • Ira Berger, MD

    Principal Investigator
    Ira Berger, MD joined RIMG in 1993. He specializes in asthma, chronic cough, and COPD. Dr. Berger has been listed as a Washingtonian Top Doctor every year since 2005 and a Top Doctor in the Washington Consumers Checkbook every year since 2007. Board certified in Internal Medicine, he graduated from Tufts University in Medford, MA with a Bachelor of Science degree and from SUNY Downstate Medical Center in New York, NY with a Doctor of Medicine degree. Dr. Berger completed an internal medicine residency at Drexel University College of Medicine in Philadelphia, PA, as well as an internal medicine fellowship at Georgetown University Hospital in Washington, DC. He currently serves as a Clinical Instructor at Georgetown University. Dr. Berger also served as a Clinical Instructor at George Washington University from 2005-2013. He is a Fellow of the American College of Chest Physicians and a member of the American College of Physicians.

  • S. Grace Woo, MD

    Principal Investigator
    S. Grace Woo, MD specializes in gastroenterology and internal medicine and works closely with her patients to help them achieve optimal health. Dr. Woo speaks English, Spanish, and Korean. Board certified in Gastroenterology and Internal Medicine, she graduated from Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, MD with a Bachelor of Arts degree and from the University of Maryland School of Medicine in Baltimore, MD with a Doctor of Medicine degree. Dr. Woo also graduated from George Washington University in Washington, DC with a Master in Public Health degree. She completed an internal medicine internship at State University of New York in Stony Brook, NY, an internal medicine residency at Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center in Baltimore, MD, and a gastroenterology fellowship at George Washington University Hospital in Washington, DC.

  • Belen Tesfaye, MD

    Principal Investigator
    Belen Tesfaye, MD specializes in gastroenterology and internal medicine. She speaks English and Amharic, which is the official language in Ethiopia. Board certified in Gastroenterology and Internal Medicine, Dr. Tesfaye graduated from Jimma University in Jimma, Ethiopia with a Bachelor of Medicine degree and a Bachelor of Surgery degree. She completed an internal medicine internship at Black Lion University Hospital in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, an internal medicine residency at Howard University Hospital in Washington, DC, and a gastroenterology internship at Howard University Hospital. Dr. Tesfaye is a member of the American College of Gastroenterology, the American College of Physicians, the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, the American Neurogastroenterology and Motility Society, and the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society.

  • Shishir Khetan, MD

    Principal Investigator
    Shishir Khetan, MD joined RIMG in 2004. He specializes in diabetes, exercise stress testing, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, and preventative health. He is listed as a Consumer Checkbook Top Doctor. Board certified in Internal Medicine, Dr. Khetan graduated from University of Maryland in College Park, MD with a Bachelor of Science Degree and from the University of West Indies Faculty of Medicine in Kingston, Jamaica with a Doctor of Medicine degree. He completed an internal medicine internship at Elmhurst Hospital Center in New York, NY, and an internal medicine residency at Mount Sinai Medical School in New York, NY where he served as Chief Resident. Dr. Khetan is a member of the American College of Physicians and the American Medical Association.

  • Asefa Mekonnen, MD, FCCP, FAASM

    Principal Investigator
    Asefa Mekonnen, MD, FCCP, FAASM is passionate about Sleep Medicine and working closely with his patients across the Rockville area to help them achieve their optimal health. Board certified in Internal Medicine and Sleep Medicine, Dr. Mekonnen graduated from Addis Ababa University Faculty of Medicine in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia with a Doctor of Medicine degree. He completed an internal medicine internship and residency at University of Illinois College of Medicine in Chicago, IL and a sleep medicine fellowship at McGaw Medical Center of Northwestern University in Chicago, IL. Dr. Mekonnen is a member of the American College of Physicians (ACP).

  • Rahul Patel, MD

    Principal Investigator
    Rahul Patel, MD joined RIMG after serving as a Johns Hopkins Community Physician in Maryland. In addition to general internal medicine, his clinical interests include diabetes, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia. Board certified in Internal Medicine, Dr. Patel graduated from Ross University School of Medicine in Portsmouth, Dominica, West Indies with a Doctor of Medicine degree, and from the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, VA with a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry. He completed an internal medicine residency at Elmhurst Hospital Center – Mount Sinai School of Medicine in Elmhurst, NY and is a member of the American Medical Association (AMA).

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Why join a clinical trial?

  • Help advance medicine
  • Learn about potential new medicines in development
  • Get study-related medical exams at no cost
  • Receive compensation for participating (available amounts may differ for each study)

After you submit your info, a Velocity staff member will review your info. They will contact you to talk about the study, or others that may be right for you.

Health insurance is generally not needed to join a clinical trial.

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Sponsors and CROs

From the leading pharma companies, to the most pioneering biotech startups, Velocity supports those who are exploring new frontiers in human health. Whether you’re ready to conduct a single-site study or a complex, high-volume clinical trial, trust Velocity.

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It all starts with people like you.

Without clinical trial participants, it would not be possible to create new medicines, treatments, and cures.