Pre-pandemic meetings full of in-person scientific exchange logistics and challenges now seem so antiquated. The Medical Science Liaison (MSL) had to be engaging in front of a live audience with expressive hand gestures and body language, knowing which side of the PowerPoint presentation to stand, and most importantly, how to have that impactful discussion. These details were … [Read more...]

The Medical Science Liaison Society is launching a new Diversity and Inclusion initiative for the MSL community. The mission of the Diversity and Inclusion group is to cultivate a diverse and inclusive platform for Medical Science Liaisons, MSL leaders, and affiliated partners to collaborate and optimize strategies to support inclusion. Our vision is to identify opportunities … [Read more...]

Introduction There is no doubt that diversity breeds creativity and innovation. Numerous studies have demonstrated that diverse demographic representation in medicine is associated with multiple benefits. These include better healthcare access for underserved communities, cultural intelligence amongst physicians, and designed medical research across various patient … [Read more...]

The COVID-19 Pandemic has been very challenging for the pharmaceutical industry. However, according to Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs), Medical Science Liaisons (MSL) have proven, this past year, that they continue to be very important to the success of pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device, and other healthcare companies. The primary responsibility of an MSL is to build … [Read more...]

Diversity Increases Greatness by Luchy Hidalgo-Semlek Source: Montessori picture of my children’s Pre-K class Note. This picture was taken a few years ago and includes my children while attending the Montessori school. It does not contain parental sharing restrictions. Medical Affairs (MA) constitutes a critical branch for the Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Industry … [Read more...]

“Strength lies in differences, not in similarities” is a famous quote by Stephen R. Covey.  This issue of the MSL Journal is focusing on the value of these differences and the importance of diversity in the profession.  When most people think of diversity, identity diversity comes to mind:  differences in age, gender, ethnicity.  Identity diversity leverages the differences in … [Read more...]

Change is a given in this world and is a perfect illustration of the old adage “There is nothing permanent except change.” When it comes to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), change is a necessary priority. It certainly isn’t just another fad or the latest buzzword, it a shift in mindset. It reflects a more holistic and human-centered approach that spans the companies … [Read more...]

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted millions of people both personally and professionally in ways most of us would not have imagined two years ago. All of us who are or manage MSLs know that the life of an MSL team has been changed, in some cases dramatically. I interviewed my friend and former colleague, Jean-Francois Fortin, Medical Affairs Lead at Eli Lilly Canada, to find … [Read more...]

I was digging through some old boxes in the garage and found a framed poster of a favorite quote sent to me long ago.   The quote is attributed to our 26th President of the United States – statesman, writer, conservationist, and naturalist,  Theodore Roosevelt.   The quote is taken from a speech President Roosevelt gave on a whistle stop tour on the orient express and … [Read more...]

Professional Development. Job Satisfaction. Mental Wellbeing. Does it matter? You bet it does. We all strive to be successful and excel in our professional lives. We all want to be confident in our career choice whether you are a new MSL or a seasoned MSL.  By learning and developing in areas such as a new therapeutic space, improving business acumen and communication … [Read more...]

In the world we know today, we are faced with the daily challenge of understanding and interiorizing concepts such as diversity and development that facilitate the understanding of human behavior in school, urban, rural, and organizational environments. Diversity, which implies differences, movement, and multiplicity, is a concept that moves away from any position that … [Read more...]

You never know when that phone number might come in handy. I’ve often told this story to people who’ve asked me about developing their careers and getting into the industry. I was working in surgical device sales, at a wonderful company, with a brilliant manager and team. I was good at what I did, had a territory that performed well, and loved the fact that I was helping … [Read more...]

While the COVID-19 pandemic wreaked havoc on many industries, Medical Science Liaison hiring was steady throughout 2020 and continues to remain strong in 2021. The one change in hiring that has become evident is the increase in recruitment practices that support diversity and inclusion. While we may all agree on the importance of adopting conscientious hiring practices, the … [Read more...]

Medical Science Liaisons have been especially impacted by COVID-19 restrictions on in-person meetings. Most have shifted to connecting with KOLs virtually using videoconferencing solutions like Zoom, Microsoft Teams, or Google Meet. Though definitely a change in the day-to-day life of any MSL, this transition has been relatively smooth. A  survey of 245 KOLs by the Medical … [Read more...]

All business sectors are similarly trying to modernize and upgrade their operational systems through a process of digital transformation. Pharmaceutical companies and their medical affairs practices are no different. Data and analytics, AI, and Machine Learning have the power to truly transform the practice as we know it and lead to the creation of much-needed new drug … [Read more...]

Lebanon is a developing country that was not digital at all prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. When the first confinement hit and the country went into complete lockdown, Medical Science Liaisons (MSLs) faced many challenges as their main role is field-based and they had to keep the engagement with their targeted Health Care Professionals (HCPs) high. Hence, they had to improve … [Read more...]

Introduction: The MSL Society conducted an online survey on “Enhancing KOL Engagement by Leveraging Data” between January 8 -28, 2021. The survey was conducted in conjunction with the January 28th webinar that Huma.ai sponsored and co-presented with Sanofi on “Personalizing KOL engagements by leveraging data”. This article summarizes the key findings and discusses the next … [Read more...]

In the US, it is illegal to discriminate against someone based on the following: Age, Disability, Genetic Information, National Origin, Pregnancy, Race/Color, Religion, Sex, or sexual orientation. (eeoc.gov) These protections have been a great advancement in protecting each and everyone one of us in the workplace. But what else does diversity look like? It could be your body … [Read more...]