Who we are
Exalt Clinical Research is grounded in providing a best-in-class trial experience for patients, sponsors, and CROs through progressive recruitment practices and compassionate patient care resulting in the smooth initiation and execution of early through late phase clinical trials.
Founder, Dixie L. Creager is an experienced multi-location manager of clinical and business operations for over 30 years. Based on this experience, she identified the South Bay as an opportunity to be a part of a dynamic, diverse community.
Our mission
Elevating the clinical research trial experience through robust, diverse enrollment, quality data, and responsive communication.
Meet the Exalt Team
Dixie L. Creager, Founder and CEO
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As a leader in clinical trials site management, Mrs. Creager is frequently engaged by pharmaceutical companies developing treatments for specific disease indications to provide protocol and study design input from an operational perspective to ensure the smooth initiation and execution of early and late phase clinical trials.
She also has served as a mentor to other clinical research sites in her management and therapeutic specific indications by providing support in their daily operations as well as expansion plans.
Mrs. Creager embraces her reputation as an expert in the clinical research field by sharing her knowledge and experience with her peers in the industry by answering operational and study protocol specific questions often.
Tiffany Deal Hecklinski, Ph.D., Founder & COO
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Dr. Hecklinski has over 25 years experience as a communication and recruitment specialist spanning diverse disciplines.
As an educator, Dr. Hecklinski has taught at the Indiana University School of Medicine, San Diego State University, and Pendleton Maximum Security Penitentiary in Indiana.
She has served as a communication consultant for organizations such as the University of Michigan Health System working with the Department of Urology and JDRF providing expertise in recruitment and communication strategies.
A published researcher and Board Member of the Boys and Girls Club of South Bay, Dr. Hecklinski is a Stage III Colorectal Cancer survivor, thus giving her first-hand knowledge of the importance of patient advocacy and the value it brings to clinical research.
Niki Estrada, Site Manager
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An experienced subject and staff recruitment specialist, Ms. Estrada brings a wealth of theoretical and practical knowledge to Exalt Clinical Research.
She has excelled at recruitment and retention in clinical research, rehabilitation, and higher education.
As a seasoned management leader, she thrives on elevating those around her. Leveraging her success in educational workshops, rapid and efficient onboarding strategies, and development and execution of various certification programs, she brings an innovative and progressive approach to site management and trial execution.
David Bortz, MD, Principal Investigator
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With over 30 years’ experience in private practice, Dr. David Bortz is a leading primary care physician in San Diego County. He is certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine and Obesity medicine. He is also a member of the American College of Physicians.
Dr. Bortz specializes in obesity/weight-loss treatments and has delivered over 1,000 lectures regarding dyspepsia and esophageal reflux for leading pharmaceutical companies.
Dr. Bortz prides himself on providing his patients with cutting-edge treatments through personalized and attentive care.
Jacqueline McKesey, MD, Principal Investigator
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Dr. Jackie McKesey’s dedication to medicine and physiology was grounded as an undergraduate at the University of California, Los Angeles. She received her medical degree from Georgetown University, where she also earned her master’s degree in Physiology and Biophysics. At Georgetown, she was prestigiously named Valedictorian and received numerous academic awards.
Dr. McKesey completed a prestigious fellowship with renowned dermatologist Amit G. Pandya, MD in melanocyte transplantation for vitiligo, large-scale clinical trials, and cutting-edge treatment of melasma. During her residency, Dr. McKesey served as Chief Resident of the VA Medical Center in Dallas, Texas.
Dr. McKesey has gained numerous grants, awards, and leadership positions through her affiliation with the American Society of Laser Medicine and Surgery, Women’s Dermatologic Society, Dermatology in Review, and the American Society of Dermatologic Surgery. She is currently on the Advisory Council for Dermatology in Review and writes educational blog posts and articles on NextStepsinDerm.com.
Jorge Avalos Sleep Technician
Rebecca Villalobos Pharmacy Technician/RA
Alan Almeida Sleep Director
Carlos Vargas Sleep Technician
Sunil Bhoyrul, MD, Principal Investigator
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Dr. Sunil Bhoyrul is the Chief of Surgery at Olde Del Mar Surgical and the Medical Director for Bariatric Surgery at Scripps Memorial Hospital. Dr. Bhoyrul completed his undergraduate degree and medical school training at the University of Aberdeen in Scotland becoming a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons (FRCS) of England. Dr. Bhoyrul was trained in advanced laparoscopic surgery at the University of California, San Francisco before completing his surgical residency at Stanford University.
He specializes in advanced minimally invasive gastrointestinal and weight loss surgery with a special interest in gastrointestinal oncology where he is one of only a small number of surgeons that performs resections for pancreatic, gastric and esophageal cancers.
With multiple national and local Medical Society Awards, Dr. Bhoyrul is recognized as one of the best doctors in San Diego and the United States. Dr. Bhoyrul has contributed significant original research including being a co-editor on one of the world’s first books on laparoscopic surgery.
Peter Rullan, MD, Principal Investigator
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Since 1983, Dr. Peter Rullan has led a successful private practice in Chula Vista, CA. He completed his undergraduate training at the University of Chicago, received his doctorate in medicine from the University of Puerto Rico, and completed his internship and dermatology training at the University of California, Irvine.
Following his board certification in dermatology in 1983, Dr. Rullan is distinctly honored to serve as diplomate of the American Board of Dermatology, the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery, and the American Board Facial Cosmetic Surgery. He is widely published and has been featured multiple times on local and national television news segments.
He is one of only twenty physicians in the U.S. that were part of a 5-year prospective study on the safety of Artefill/Bellafill injections for the correction of facial wrinkles. Dr. Rullan is fully bilingual in English and Spanish.
Arthur Flippin, MD, Principal Investigator
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Dr. Arthur M. Flippin, is a board-certified neurologist with over 40 years of practice in general neurology, caring for patients with a wide range of neurological conditions. In 1977 he joined the Department of Neurology at Kaiser Permanente in San Diego. From 1981-1999 he was privileged to serve as Chief of the Neurology Department. From 1998-2000 he served as Regional Coordinating Chief of Neurology for the Southern California Permanente Medical Group. Dr. Arthur M. Flippin left clinical practice to move into a full-time administrative position as Area Medical Director for Southern California Permanente Medical Group in 2000 and remained there until his mandatory retirement at the end of 2009. He now serves as a Principal Investigator and Sub-Investigator with Exalt Clinical Research.
Salvador Perez Sleep Technician
Briana Alaniz Lab Coordinator/RA
Core Values
At Exalt Clinical Research, we measure everything we do through the lens of our core values. Approaching every project with integrity is paramount.
We believe that our approach to research can be accomplished no other way. The data is collected in a professional manner and reported as outlined by the sponsor in accordance with GCP, noted timelines, and industry standards.
We believe in authenticity; we will be honest and direct about our capabilities, expertise, and enrollment targets. We are accountable to both our subjects and sponsors, sharing updates on our progress, any potential stumbling blocks, dealing with problems with communication and common sense.
We respect our subjects, our community, and our sponsor partners. We strive to elevate the clinical trials experience for all involved.
At Exalt Clinical Research, we measure everything we do through the lens of our core values:
Integrity, Professionalism, Authenticity, Expertise, Accountability, Respect, Communication.