Lightship Names Darcy Forman as COO to Drive Growth and Efficiency
Lightship, a pioneering provider of community-based and decentralized clinical trial services, has announced the appointment of Darcy Forman as Chief Operating Officer (COO). In this strategic role, Forman will focus on enhancing operational efficiency, driving the company’s growth, and expanding its capacity to deliver complex, patient-centric clinical trial solutions at scale. Her leadership will play a critical role in Lightship’s mission to make clinical trials more accessible and representative by integrating research seamlessly into communities across the nation.
A Vision for Growth and Excellence
Forman’s appointment underscores Lightship’s commitment to advancing decentralized clinical trials (DCTs) and optimizing operations to meet the evolving needs of sponsors and patients. As COO, she will oversee key initiatives to streamline clinical trial processes, improve patient engagement, and leverage innovative strategies that reduce enrollment timelines and enhance trial retention rates. By reinforcing operational excellence, Forman aims to ensure that Lightship continues to provide high-quality, representative trials that improve health outcomes for diverse populations.
“We are thrilled to welcome Darcy to the Lightship team,” said David MacMurchy, CEO of Lightship. “Her extensive expertise in clinical operations, combined with her deep understanding of both traditional and decentralized trials, will be instrumental in driving our next phase of growth. Darcy’s leadership will help us refine our service delivery model, enabling us to conduct efficient and scalable trials while maintaining the highest standards of quality and inclusivity.”
An Impressive Track Record in Clinical Research
With over 25 years of experience in clinical research and operations, Forman brings a wealth of knowledge and leadership to Lightship. Throughout her career, she has focused on advancing clinical trial methodologies and developing patient-centered approaches that improve study participation and retention.
Before joining Lightship, Forman served as an executive consultant, providing strategic guidance to companies across the clinical research landscape. Her most notable role was as Chief Delivery Officer at Science 37, where she played a pivotal role in overseeing the company’s clinical operations, including patient engagement, data management, nursing solutions, and service delivery. During her tenure, she helped streamline Science 37’s decentralized trial platform, ensuring seamless integration between technology and clinical workflows.
Forman has also held senior leadership positions at several top-tier contract research organizations (CROs), including i3 Research (now Syneos Health), Health Decisions, Clinipace, and Firma Clinical. Her expertise spans multiple therapeutic areas, and she has a proven ability to implement scalable solutions that drive operational efficiency and enhance trial performance.
Her career began at Pfizer Pharmaceuticals as a bench scientist before she transitioned into the company’s clinical research division. This early experience provided her with a strong foundation in drug development and clinical operations, setting the stage for her impactful contributions to the field.
Expanding Access to Clinical Trials
In her new role at Lightship, Forman will focus on strengthening the company’s operational infrastructure and ensuring that clinical trials reach underserved populations. One of her key objectives is to build a scalable foundation that enables Lightship to expand its reach, ensuring that more patients have access to cutting-edge treatments, regardless of their geographical location or socioeconomic status.
“I am ecstatic to be joining Lightship at such a pivotal time,” said Forman. “The company is on an incredible trajectory, and I am excited to contribute to its mission of expanding access to clinical trials. By optimizing our operations and implementing innovative strategies, we can make a significant impact on the efficiency, diversity, and quality of clinical research.”
Forman’s leadership will also focus on integrating advanced data analytics and AI-driven insights to enhance Lightship’s clinical trial services. By leveraging technology, she aims to optimize trial design, improve patient monitoring, and drive faster decision-making processes, ultimately accelerating the development of new therapies.
A Future of Innovation and Impact
As Lightship continues to grow and evolve, Forman’s appointment marks a significant milestone in the company’s journey. Her deep expertise in clinical research, strategic vision, and commitment to operational excellence position her as a key driver of Lightship’s future success.
By enhancing operational efficiency, expanding patient access, and leveraging innovative methodologies, Forman will help Lightship redefine the landscape of decentralized clinical trials. Her leadership will ensure that the company remains at the forefront of clinical research innovation, delivering solutions that benefit patients, sponsors, and the broader healthcare ecosystem.
As the demand for decentralized clinical trials continues to rise, Lightship’s commitment to inclusivity, efficiency, and scientific rigor will be more important than ever. With Forman at the helm of operations, the company is well-positioned to continue its transformative work in making clinical research more accessible, efficient, and impactful for all.
