Introduction
One of the main objectives for the existence of the Medical Science Liaison (MSL) Society is to foster the professional growth of the Medical Science Liaison Society. In support of this goal, the MSL Society recently created a professional board certification for the MSL profession that validates core cognitive competencies for the MSL role. In addition, MSL professionals with extensive professional experience, academic credentials, and documented contributions to the profession deserve a pathway for recognition for their achievements that is external to their employer. Consequently, the MSL Society has designed a Fellows program to allow qualified and approved candidates to achieve the Society’s highest level of professional recognition, namely the achievement of Fellows Status and the designation of Fellow in the Medical Science Liaison Society (FMSL). This designation would serve as the pinnacle accomplishment for a career in the MSL arena, recognizing the elite leaders and professionals who have met the rigorous criteria for designation as a Fellow.
Requirements for MSL Fellowship
The Academy of the Medical Science Liaison Society will formally award the designation of Fellow to professional MSLs who meet the criteria for admission into the Academy. The following are the required items for acceptance into the Academy of the Medical Science Liaison Society:
- Professional experience as a Medical Science Liaison for a minimum of eight (8) years
- A minimum of a Master’s Degree from a regionally accredited educational institution
- Two recommendations from current MSL Fellows
- Submission of a completed application
- Payment of the application fee for Fellows consideration
- Paid, active membership of the Medical Science Liaison Society
- Demonstrated leadership in the MSL profession as evidenced by documented contributions to the MSL Society, the journal, and other professional advocacy issues relates to the profession
- Current certification as a MSL-BC from the Medical Science Liaison Society
Candidates approved by the Fellows Committee will be awarded the designation of FMSL for five years, after which time renewal will be required. All accepted Fellows will be inducted formally at the annual conference held in the US in the Fall.
Fellowship Process
The process for an MSL to apply for fellowship status begins with the self-assessment, which must be completed before the candidate can apply. This self-assessment allows each professional to evaluate their current professional situation with regards to the MSL profession (i.e. years of experience, academic education, continuing education, title with employer, etc.) and to ensure he or she meets the criteria for the designation as a fellow. If the candidate does not meet the specified criteria, then he or she can create an action plan to develop the content areas with opportunities for improvement. The application may be resubmitted after meeting certain criteria detailed above. Candidates who meet the criteria to apply may submit a formal application along with all required supporting documentation. Upon receipt, the application will be reviewed by a committee of three existing MSL professionals who have already achieved Fellows status within the Academy of the Medical Science Liaison Society. The committee will vet all applications, and a formal vote will be taken regarding the acceptance or denial of each application within 90 days of receipt of the initial application. All applicants will be provided with a response in writing of the committee’s decision. Candidates that are approved for Fellow’s status will be provided with the appropriate details on the proper use of the designation and the credential FMSL.
Maintenance of Fellows Designation
Professional designation of as a Fellow in the Academy of the Medical Science Liaison Society requires an ongoing commitment to the Society and to the profession itself. As a result, professionals wishing to maintain their designation must meet the following criteria,:
- Continuous, active membership in the MSL Society
- Maintenance of MSL Certification through the MSL Society
- Leadership contributions in the form of webinars, journal submissions, participation in the Advisory Board, and related activities in support of the MSL Society
- Payment to the MSL Society for renewal of the Fellows Designation every five (5) years
Discussion
Professional Certification is an important means of demonstrating professional and cognitive competency. The new availability of Fellows status within the Medical Science Liaison Society will enable tenured MSLs and MSL managers and executives to achieve the highest level of professional recognition from the Society and to demonstrate their commitment to the profession. The MSL Fellows program will be launched officially in the fourth quarter of 2015, along with the new professional board certification. For more information, please visit www.themsls.org.
About the author:
Samuel Dyer, MD, PhD
Dr. Samuel Dyer is the CEO of the Medical Science Liaison Society and has over 25 years of international MSL experience. During his career, he has managed MSL teams and operations in over sixty countries across the United States, Canada, Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Australia, and New Zealand. He has facilitated the successful launch of pharmaceutical and medical device products for both Fortune 500 pharmaceutical companies and small biotechnology companies.
Dr. Dyer has coached, interviewed, and reviewed the CVs of countless aspiring MSLs. His insights and guidance have resulted in hundreds of aspiring MSLs successfully breaking into their first roles.
While leading the MSL Society, he has conducted MSL training programs for over 75 pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and medical device companies in more than 15 countries. Dr. Dyer has also written extensively on the Medical Science Liaison profession, including numerous published articles, benchmark studies, and reports. He has been the keynote speaker and moderated numerous international conferences on various MSL–related topics, including creating teams, management, MSL training, proper utilization of MSLs, global trends, and the KPIs and metrics used to measure MSL performance. Dr. Dyer has also served as a resource and consultant on several MSL–related projects for several organizations, including McKinsey & Company and Bain & Company.
Dr. Dyer has an MD from Washington University (Health & Science) School of Medicine, a PhD in Health Sciences from Touro University, a Master’s degree in Tropical Biology (where he studied in the Amazon) from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, and a Bachelor’s degree in Biology from the University of the State of New York. Dr. Dyer also completed a certificate program for Executive Leadership and Strategy in Pharmaceuticals and Biotechnology at the Harvard Business School.
Dr. Dyer is the author of the multi-award-winning and Amazon #1 Best Seller, The Medical Science Liaison Career Guide: How to Break into Your First Role (https://amzn.to/4aoYcZp). The book is the first and only step-by-step guide on how to break into the MSL profession and it has received multiple prestigious awards, including:
- 2024 Winner of the American Legacy Book Awards in the Business: Careers category.
- 2024 “Gold Award” Winner – Literary Titan Book Awards in the Career category.
- 2023 “Best Book” Winner – Pinnacle Book Achievement Award in the Career Development category.
He is also the author of the Medical Science Liaison Job Application Tracking & Interview Self-Evaluation Journal (https://amzn.to/49n6MGR).
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