Reckner Gives Back


Oak Creek Approved PhotographThe Oak Creek, Wisconsin office of Reckner raised funds for a group of students at Oak Creek High School in December. Ange Tingwald, Facility Manager, organized the drive, which provided 22 students with gifts and gift cards. Additionally, the Reckner team put together stockings for each of the students stuffed with candy, gum, fuzzy socks for the young ladies, and cologne for the young men. 

Chalfont Giving Back 2019In the Chalfont, Pennsylvania office, Senior Project Manager Anna Cunningham organized our annual Holiday sharing program. The Reckner team purchased gifts and contributed funds to buy gift cards for a local family: a local single mom and her four children.  Anna was thrilled with how generous the Reckner staff was and said, ”With everyone’s help, we were able to get every gift on their list including winter coats for all four kids.”

Face to Face: the Rewards of In-Person Interviews

A small but growing portion of Reckner’s research work takes the form of in-person interviews. Generally, you would be invited to meet with a researcher at a centrally located facility and discuss a specific topic, typically for an hour.

The honoraria for in-person interviews are higher than other types of research to compensate for the additional time it takes to travel to and from a facility.

Our panelists who participate in these types of interviews enjoy the personal nature of them and the fact that there’s more opportunity for them to elaborate on a topic, sharing in detail their specific expertise. The interviewers are well-versed on the topics and the conversations can be quite engaging.

If you are specifically interested in signing up for in-person interviews, please email bandrachick@reckner.com.

These types of interviews can occur anywhere, but we are currently focusing on Philadelphia, New York, Chicago, and Atlanta.

Introducing Respondent First™

In our 28-year history of healthcare market research, Reckner leadership and staff members have always fostered a sense of deep respect and appreciation for members of our Healthcare Panel. We realize that time is precious and we work hard to provide a smooth and seamless experience when you choose to participate in Reckner surveys.

We often reach out to members of our panel to see how we’re doing and what we could be doing better. This exploration has led us to our philosophy of Respondent First™, the capstone of what we strive to achieve on a daily basis. To our panelists: thank you for working with us and to those considering working with us, please see what we stand for. Thank you!

Respondent first Reckher Healthcare Surveys describes the care that Reckner takes with its healthcare panel.

Meet Dr. Michael Rotkowitz

Dr. Michael Rotkowitz

We continue our series of profiles of Reckner Healthcare Panel members with Dr. Michael Rotkowitz. He shared his thoughts about practicing medicine, music, and the benefits of participating in healthcare market research.

Dr. Michael I. Rotkowitz is a Board Certified Hematologist and Medical Oncologist who just began a new position at the Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Jefferson Health in Washington Township, N.J. This appointment follows positions at Cancer Treatment Centers of America and Comprehensive Cancer and Hematology Specialists, P.C.

On a personal note…

Dr. Rotkowitz has a strong connection to his patients through his personal experience; he lost his mother to cancer and his father, who subsequently passed, was a cancer survivor. “My ability to relieve suffering and optimize outcomes is incredibly important to me in adding days to patients’ lives, but more so, life to patients’ days,” he shared.

Dr. Rotkowitz enriches his own life through music, to which he draws a deep connection with medicine. “Music and medicine have many overlapping principles and both are instruments of healing to the mind, body, and spirit,” he said.

Pictured is a trumpet being played by someone.

“In both the appreciation of music and in my love for medicine, listening remains my most important strength. My passion for both will involve a lifetime of education, inspiration, improvisation, and practice. Both medicine and music possess the power to heal and the ability to relieve pain. They both celebrate the harmonies of existence. As music provides the soundtrack of all human life, medicine remains the foundation that sustains it,” he continued. 

On healthcare market research…

“Being a community hematologist and medical oncologist is difficult because you have to stay on the pulse of all updates and innovation in an ever evolving complex and diverse field of malignant hematology and medical oncology,” he said. “Taking part in healthcare and market research studies allows you to stay on the pulse of future updates and clinical data while also allowing you the opportunity for your ideas and insights to be heard,” he added.

Dr. Rotkowitz acknowledges that while the ability to earn accessory income and be compensated for one’s time and ideas is meaningful, he also believes that market research is quite engaging and allows one’s thoughts, concerns, and interests to be welcomed and appreciated. In his words, participating in market research offers “a voice and/or therapy to stress your concerns and share how you truly feel about issues related to the field. I feel rewarded to be able to be proactive in expressing ideas and thoughts that may implement some real positive change.”

Pictured is the Reckner Healthcare logo.

Dr. Rotkowitz is particularly complimentary about working with Reckner Healthcare Surveys.  “Reckner studies are always incredibly engaging, rewarding and allow me to be truthful in expressing concerns, thoughts, and feelings about a diversity of topics and products in the marketplace. I like the personal touch that Reckner provides as they have dedicated employees for particular studies and they are very meticulous about scheduling and following up,” he said. 

“I feel assured that the enrolling and execution of these surveys will be incredibly efficient and allow me to plan my schedule accordingly. I also greatly appreciate the diversity of topics within the field of hematology and oncology that are available through Reckner,” he concluded. 

Speaking on behalf of the Reckner Healthcare team, Vice President Jason Gamber said, “All of us at Reckner would like to congratulate Dr. Rotkowitz on his new position at the Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Jefferson Health. We have appreciated his input over the past years and look forward to his ongoing participation as a member of our trusted Healthcare Panel.”

More about Dr. Rotkowitz…

Dr. Rotkowitz recently began a new position at the Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Jefferson Health in Washington Township, N.J. Pictured is the facility.

In his new position Dr. Rotkowitz plans to focus on treating thoracic oncology but will be “seeing patients of all tumor etiologies and both benign and malignant hematology,” he stated. He believes that this will allow great partnerships with the academic team at Jefferson’s main campus in Center City Philadelphia. He also continues to be interested in alternative therapies and palliative care medicine.

Dr. Rotkowitz received his undergraduate degree from the University of Delaware and attended medical school at St. George’s University in St. George’s, Grenada. After graduating in 2005, he completed his post graduate training St. Luke’s Roosevelt Hospital Center (Internal Medicine Residency Program and SUNY Downstate Medical Center (Hematology/Oncology Fellowship).

He has held various teaching positions since 2008 and is currently Clinical Assistant Instructor at the Cooper Medical School of Rowan University. He has authored several publications and given lectures to medical students and at medical conferences.  

In addition to practicing medicine and playing the trumpet, Dr. Rotkowitz has twin boys (turning two in July) and a miniature poodle named Rocco.  He is an avid fan of the New York Mets and New York Jets.  His interests include travel, spending time with family and friends, and seeing live music. 

Qualitative Research Primer: What is it and should I give it a try?

Pictured is a healthcare professional at a desk on the phone. In depth telephone interviews can be conducted at your convenience at a pre-scheduled time.
In-depth telephone interviews can be conducted at your convenience at a pre-scheduled time.

Members of our Healthcare Market Research Panel participate in different types of market research including online surveys, in-depth telephone interviews, or in-person focus groups. While some Panelists favor online surveys, equally as many enjoy the in-depth and personal nature of qualitative studies, the majority of which are conducted as telephone interviews ranging from twenty minutes to an hour. In-person interviews or focus groups are not quite as common, but for those who do participate in them, they tend to deliver highly rewarding experiences because of their communal nature and the sharing of knowledge and expertise that occurs.

For those who may not be that familiar with qualitative research, here are some of the benefits from the perspective of healthcare professionals:

  • Higher payments. Pre-scheduled, in-depth telephone interviews often offer high honoraria; in some cases this can be $400, or even more, for an hour interview.
  • Make a significant contribution to innovation in your field. Because you’re speaking with a researcher at length, you have the opportunity to share insights and experiences that simply cannot be captured in an online survey. The interaction between you and the researcher allows for nuance and specificity that only one-on-one communication can provide.
  • Be the first to learn about new drugs or treatments. Oftentimes, concepts or extraordinary innovations are presented in market research studies. Our Panelists tell us they appreciate hearing about new developments before they are announced. It can help them keep on top of their field and be alerted to new drugs and treatments.
  • Unique, fun, and interesting opportunities. Qualitative studies can also be interesting because different methodologies are sometimes used. Lexy Frazier, Reckner’s Director of Qualitative Research, described one study in which the participating physicians were given a laptop and had their computer use observed for a few weeks. The monitoring captured URLs visited and time spent on each page (words typed, screen captures, or personal information was not monitored).  “Afterwards, they got to keep the laptop,” Frazier said. “So that was certainly a nice incentive.”

One of Reckner’s Panelists, Dr. Claudio Sandoval, shared that he prefers qualitative studies so that others may benefit from his clinical expertise. “I have been caring for patients with blood and cancer disorders for over 26 years and have a wealth of information and a deep reservoir of knowledge. I enjoy talking to people and contributing to the science and art of medicine,” he said.

Pictured is Lexy Frazier, Reckner's Director of Qualitative Research.
Lexy Frazier, Reckner’s Director of Qualitative Research

From the perspective of the researchers, Frazier shared that these in-depth interviews allow companies to dig more deeply into a subject and get into the mindset of potential consumers. “Getting on the court of the customer” is how some researchers describe it.

Qualitative research is also used to understand the language that potential consumers use to describe certain symptoms or health issues. By talking directly with potential users of a product, one can appreciate the nuances of word and phrasing choices. For example, a company might describe their product as alleviating “irritation” but upon talking with potential consumers who describe the same symptom, they might more specifically refer to it as “sensitivity” or “burning” or “pressure,” for example. Hearing the nuance of the language used by potential consumers and prescribers can help a company get the right product to the right people.

Wondering what kind of opportunities there are for telephone interviews?

At any given time, Reckner could have up to 60 qualitative studies underway. In 2018 alone, Reckner paid nearly $7,000,000 in honoraria to almost 18,000 unique participants for both qualitative and quantitative research studies.

Reckner paid $6,961,882 in honoraria in 2018.

“There’s certainly plenty of room for new Panelists to get involved. We encourage our current Panelists to spread the word to their networks,” Frazier said. “We are really fortunate to have such a highly regarded and trusted Panel which has grown steadily over the past 28 years. Because of its longstanding and consistent record of excellence, our clients have come to rely on the Reckner Panel for their healthcare market research needs. And, as always, we are grateful for the Panel’s commitment and involvement,” concluded Frazier.

We greatly appreciate referrals. Please send the name and email address or phone number of potential Panel members to sample@reckner.com. Many thanks.

Survey Says…

Reckner’s Healthcare Panel Members Share Enjoyment of Healthcare Market Research

Reckner conducts market research studies for healthcare, pharmaceutical and medical device companies. In order to have respondents at the ready when our clients present us with studies, we have assembled a Panel of Healthcare Professionals. Since 1991 when the company was founded, Reckner’s Healthcare Panel has grown to become one of the most trusted and esteemed in the industry. Physicians, nurses, allied health professionals, hospital and healthcare decision-makers have all voluntarily joined Reckner’s team, and as our clients attest, comprise one of the most valuable and preferred panels in the field of healthcare market research.

Jason Gamber, VP Reckner Healthcare, leads the client service and project management teams for our Qualitative and Quantitative departments.

We recently reached out to members of our panel with a survey of our own to find out how we were doing regarding delivery of surveys, communication, and awarding of honoraria. What we learned was both inspiring and humbling. Jason Gamber, our VP of Reckner Healthcare summed it up: “We understand the value of our panel’s time and we know that the honoraria we offer for participation are certainly important. What we were gratified to confirm as well is the degree to which panel members find the surveys informational and educational. A large number even called them ‘fun’.”

According to one survey respondent, a hospital administrator, Reckner surveys are a “good way to keep up with what’s going on in our areas of the market. You can get a great idea from a survey what direction the rest of the country is going.” Another said they are motivated to take surveys in order to have “input into field products and strategies for the future. I feel like I have something to contribute. (The extra money is nice too!)”

One emergency physician said they like to “help direct research, hopefully share my experiences in a meaningful way, point out what gaps there may be in education… I also found new options I wasn’t aware of.” And an oncologist shared how taking surveys “is a positive experience as it forces us to re-evaluate the way in which we approach important medical issues.”

Another somewhat unexpected common response was that the surveys are “fun”:  “Fun and rewarding,” “fun and interesting and you learn from them,” “fun and you can get your voice heard,” and “fun and I feel good about contributing.”

Gamber concluded, “We are so appreciative of those who continue to participate in our Healthcare Panel. We value our partnership and want to continue to rise to the top of your inbox when survey requests arrive there. For those of you who haven’t signed up yet to join our Healthcare Panel, please take a moment to visit our easy online form and join us. Come have fun with us and make a difference in your field.”

Welcome! Healthcare Surveys 101

What we Do

Reckner is a respected market research company that has been in business for more than 28 years. We conduct market research studies for healthcare, pharmaceutical, and medical device organizations.

When we are contracted to conduct a study, we reach out to members of our Panel we believe match the study’s criteria. We let you know what the survey is, about how long it will take, and how much you will be compensated for completing it. The first step generally always involves a screener questionnaire to further determine if you match with the specific criteria of the study.

If you meet the criteria and complete the survey or interview, you will be compensated for your time. Once the study is concluded, we send out Visa debit cards (electronic or mailed card) within two to three weeks, one of the fastest turnarounds in the business.

How to Get Started

The first step is to complete a simple sign-up form on our website. We only ask for your name, address, phone number, email address, profession, year of license/certification, and NPI number. It’s that simple. Once you are registered for the Panel, you will be invited to participate in online surveys or interviews that match your field and experience.

Answers to Commonly Asked Questions

  • It’s free to join the panel. You receive an honorarium in the form of a Visa Debit Card when you complete a study.
  • Your information is protected. Reckner will not share your personal information to any third party or client. Your information is used solely to contact you and send your honoraria.
  • Participation in each study is voluntary. You may choose to accept or not accept an invitation at any time.
  • Our healthcare studies are conducted online or you may be invited to participate in a telephone interview with a researcher or in a focus group (where you visit a central location and share your ideas in a group).

I hope you will join our Healthcare Survey Panel if you haven’t already. It’s a great way to make a little extra money and stay abreast of some of the newest developments in your field.