The "Elevate" by MAPS Podcast

While there are similarities in decision making between Pharma and MedTech, it can be difficult to get face time with physicians but is still relatively easy to get face time with surgeons particularly when the medical technology is more complex. Asking what success looks like to the patient is a critical element in a successful career transition.

If you’re considering a career transition, asking: “What’s in it for me?” is just as important as “What’s in it for the company?” During this podcast, Dr. Rubinstein asks the panelists, Dr. Sean Lilienfeld and Huub Kreuwel, why they considered making the change from one area to another. The potential for expanding your skillsets is an important consideration but it is not the only one.

Do you possess the ability to empathize, but also the business acumen to understand your audience? MA professionals interact with a variety of stakeholders, so you must possess the skills necessary to be relatable and to present information in a meaningful way to a wide audience. 

Teams are traditionally smaller in MedTech than in Pharma. In MedTech companies, the MA professional may be asked to manage smaller teams and broader areas of responsibilities. This may be the case if you work for a smaller Pharma company, but larger Pharma companies may require more focused responsibilities. 

What does it take to go from an external deep subject matter expert to an internal medical expert? Specializing in one area may limit your ability to transition from one therapeutic area to another; making this adjustment requires the ability to take a risk, the skills to gain trust, and comfort with admitting the limitations of your skill sets.  

Change is the only constant in the MSL role. Panelists at the session of the March 8 Field Medical Program in Miami will prepare attendees by discussing influences on the MSL role, the rationale for emerging Field Medical roles, and key skill sets to ensure success. Speaking will be: John Pracyk, MD, PhD, MBA, DePuy Synthes – Spine, Johnson & Johnson Medical Devices Companies, Worldwide Integrated Leader, Medical Affairs, Pre-Clinical & Clinical Research, Chris Brock, PharmD, Field Based Medical Affairs Head, Respiratory at GlaxoSmithKline, Joseph Medicis, PharmD Executive Director and Head of Medical Affairs at Allena Pharmaceuticals, Michelle Powell, PharmD, Director, Field Medical Excellence, Astellas Pharma Global Development and Kyle Kennedy, VP, Customer Strategy at The Medical Affairs Company.

Ralph Rewers, PharmD, AbbVie’s Global Head, Field Medical Excellence pulled together a group of experts who will discuss the differences in the types of Field Medical that they’re looking to hire. This panel at the Field Medical session on March 8 in Miami includes Nancy Ortiz, PharmD, Executive Director, GMA & Field Medical at Stonebridge Biopharma, Steve McLaughlin, Regional Director, US Rare Disease Field Based MSLs, Sanofi Genzyme and Brooke M. Kim, RN, BSN, MSM who serves as the AbbVie National Director, Oncology Field Medical. The podcast will highlight topics to be discussed, such as rotational assignments, career ladders, and internal and external engagements 

Host Robin Winter-Sperry MD, Head of Global Field Based Medical Excellence & Insights at Sanofi Genzyme introduces Donna Holder PharmD, Executive Director, Global Field Medical Center of Excellence (CoE) at Merck, and Ralph Rewers PharmD, AbbVie’s Global Head, Field Medical Excellence who organized this specialized course that is being offered at the MAPS annual meeting on March 8 in Miami.

Are you keeping up with the data and science that are driving the profession? The panelists who will be highlighting the critical importance of adult learning principles and certification of knowledge to career training insights on March 8 in Miami are: Donna Holder, PharmD, Executive Director, Global Field Medical Center of Excellence (CoE) at Merck, Stephen Valerio, MS, CMP, AstraZeneca Senior Director of Oncology Medical Training, Urvashi Vashee, PharmD, Team Lead Director, Global Scientific Training Oncology at Merck & Co, and Danielle C. Heuer, Director of WD Communications.

What does the future of MA look like from a commercial perspective? Robert "Bobby" Mulrooney, MD, General Manager, UK & Ireland for Portola Pharmaceuticals, shares his candid opinions as to how MA can be a driver of strategy with commercial partners.