The IMA Group Marks 35 Years of Growth from Medical Evaluations to National Clinical Research Network

The IMA Group celebrates its 35th anniversary this year, marking a significant transformation from its origins in medical screenings and psychological evaluations to becoming a national organization with more than 150 locations and a rapidly expanding clinical research network. Under the leadership of President and CEO Mark Weinberger, PhD, MPH, the company has evolved over the past 14 years while maintaining core principles of quality, clinical excellence, scientific rigor, and compassionate humanity.

Weinberger, a licensed psychologist and psychiatric epidemiologist with degrees from Boston University, University of Massachusetts Amherst, and New York Medical College, emphasizes that IMA's mission centers on helping people at pivotal life moments. The organization serves diverse clients including government agencies, insurers, third-party administrators, and employers through medical, psychological, and ancillary evaluations. For public safety programs, IMA provides assessments for police officers, firefighters, and essential personnel, while supporting workers' compensation, disability, and liability claims through independent medical exams, medical file reviews, and case management services.

The company's longevity stems from three foundational pillars: exceptional people, commitment to quality, and adaptability to evolving market demands. This approach has enabled IMA to balance agility with consistency while navigating shifting policies, payer expectations, and care models. The organization's expansion into clinical research represents a natural evolution, formalized in 2018 through a growth strategy combining organic investment with acquisitions of 19 businesses, 10 of which now comprise the research division.

IMA's national clinic network provides significant advantages for both patients and research sponsors. With over 150 clinics nationwide, including 19 dedicated research sites conducting Phase II-IV clinical trials, the organization can recruit diverse patient populations efficiently while maintaining local accessibility. This geographic reach, supplemented by satellite and outreach sites, builds trust and engagement essential for accurate evaluations and successful clinical trials.

Technology integration represents another key innovation area, with AI tools and predictive modeling optimizing trial recruitment and data analysis. The company employs telehealth visits, mobile data capture, remote monitoring, and home visits to reduce barriers and improve convenience, while secure scheduling dashboards and real-time tracking ensure transparency in evaluation services.

Looking forward, IMA anticipates substantial growth across both evaluation and research platforms. The clinical research division focuses on therapeutic areas including CNS, sleep, and metabolic diseases, with particular emphasis on GLP-1 studies. The organization prioritizes improving patient representation in clinical trials to ensure generated data reflects the populations treatments are designed to serve. Additional growth areas include scaling workers' compensation, liability, auto/no-fault, and occupational health evaluations in response to regulatory changes, while piloting hybrid and decentralized trials, advanced biomarkers, and real-world evidence integration.

The company's multifaceted approach positions it as a clinical engine bridging insight, data, and decision-making across healthcare sectors. This expansion from evaluation services to comprehensive clinical research capabilities demonstrates how maintaining core principles while adapting to market needs can create lasting impact in healthcare delivery and innovation.