MSLead Chronicles

Would you like to know everything about how your resume can attract the attention of a hiring manager and encourage a fruitful and productive interview? You don't want to miss this episode with our returning guest, Kunal Ramani, in a podcast two-parter!

Join Mary and Chad as we explore the inspiring career journey of Roland Elwell, from rock star to the newly anointed (by Mary) Kidney King. Rowland's origin story and career journey is fascinating! He shares insights on leadership, embracing change, and the importance of curiosity and humility in professional growth.

In this episode, we dig into the transformative impact of AI on the workforce through the lens of a strategic people executive, Karen Stevens. Discover how leadership can navigate AI adoption, dispel fears, and leverage soft skills to thrive in the future of work.

The Annual MAPS Conference is coming up in a few weeks, so Chad and Mary talk through some of the hot topics on the agenda and which ones we are most excited about. And also AI.

Not gonna give too many teasers on this one-there's a reason you need to watch or listen to this without delay.Josh Yoder is the real deal. As a human being. As a leader. As a friend (as we learned in the rapid fire questioning...). He's someone you NEED TO KNOW if you don't already.Ordinarily we'd say "I hope you enjoy the episode" but that is a foregone conclusion!

Chad and Mary dig in to what it takes to lead with Melissa Landis, exploring her journey from academia to industry leadership. They discuss the importance of servant leadership, building trust, and the impact of mentorship. Melissa shares her insights on adapting leadership styles, the significance of cross-functional collaboration, and the value of authenticity and saying true to your own principles in leadership. The conversation emphasizes the need for curiosity and the role of personal values in shaping effective leadership.

Chad welcomes back Tanisha Hill to discuss the very critical topic of Digital Health/Health Equity. As the founder of the Digital Health for Equitable Health Alliance, Tanisha is in a great position to discuss the importance of health equity in clinical trials, patient access, and so much more. They explore the challenges faced by underserved communities, the role of organizations in promoting health equity, and practical steps that medical affairs leaders can take to incorporate health equity into their work. I bet you will learn a lot more from Tanisha than you ever realized you didn't know to begin with. I know I did!

Chad and Mary are joined by Nicole Yonkers, PhD, National MSL Director for Immunology, currently with Galderma. They explore the importance of professional development, building trust within teams, and the concept of collective intelligence. Nicole shares her insights on empowering team members, fostering collaboration, and the role of super facilitators in enhancing team performance. The conversation emphasizes the need for intentional communication, celebrating successes, and investing in opportunities for growth to create a thriving work environment.

2025 has been anything but boring. With exciting new drug/therapy approvals,  big time merger & acquisition activity, and advances in rare and genetic diseases, Chad and Mary reflect on the past year and how it may impact the evolving role of medical affairs. You can't talk about 2026 without hitting on the gigantic pachyderm in the room that is AI.  How will it enhance  medical affairs and can it satisfy the need for a more personalized approach to patient care?

We hit the lottery with this guest! Elizabeth Kupferer, PhD, WHNP-BC, is the National Director of US Field Medical with Nestle Health Science, and she is hanging out with us to discuss her experiences in leadership, focusing on the coaching and mentoring aspects of fostering professional development and supporting the career growth for her MSLs. We talk about self assessments to figure out where to start, the roles of coaching and mentoring (because they are not necessarily interchangeable), and Elizabeth rounds things out by emphasizing the significance of networking-both internally and externally. This episode will encourage MSLs to actively engage in their own development and define their career goals, but will also provide their leadership with great ideas and tools to get things and keep things on their desired path.

Linsay joins the pod to discuss the critical role of delivering feedback in leadership. Linsay shares her leadership story, emphasizing the importance of creating a culture of psychological safety and the need for specificity in feedback. The conversation explores how to handle difficult feedback conversations, the significance of assuming positive intent, and the value of PRAISE in team dynamics. Linsay offers practical advice for new leaders on how to approach feedback effectively, ensuring it is a constructive and growth-oriented experience for their teams.

What mindshifts will you undergo when moving from field medical to leading medical affairs strategy? And is it FOR YOU? Steve joins us to talk about his experiences leading the launch of one of the most exciting and innovative therapies of this decade. As usual it's a casual, yet extremely informative discussion that pulls back the curtain in ways to let others in to learn from other leaders.

Chad and Mary are joined by Sagar Shah, Vice President of Medical Affairs with Pharmacosmos. Their conversation covers various themes including career growth, the importance of communication in leadership, and the challenges of imposter syndrome. Sagar shares insights from his 20-year journey in the pharmaceutical industry, emphasizing the significance of hiring based on mindset rather than just experience. The episode also explores the dynamics of team building, the value of curiosity, and the necessity of embracing change in leadership roles.

It's the highly teased and anticipated hot wings challenge episode! Chad and Mary engage in a fun Ask Chad Anything mixed with a spicy hot wing challenge to discuss various leadership themes. There's Myth-Busting, Would You Rather, Work-Life Balance, and more, concluding with a lightning round of quick-fire questions and reflections.

Chad and Mary have just shipped kids off to college and get into talking about how raising and launching your kiddos can provide lessons in leadership, and vice versa! We could have included about a dozen other moms and dads that we know who are in the same boat right now; please share your input!

In this episode of MSLead Chronicles, hosts Chad Fellers and Mary Morton engage with Tanisha Hill, MPH, PhD, a leader in digital health in medical affairs. The conversation explores the transformative role of digital technology in healthcare, emphasizing the relevance and importance of digital opinion leaders. Tanisha shares her insights on the future of medical affairs, the impact of the pandemic on digital strategies, and the necessity of digital inclusion for equitable healthcare. The discussion highlights key takeaways for professionals in the field, encouraging them to embrace digital tools and strategies to improve healthcare delivery and patient outcomes.

In this episode of MSLead Chronicles, Chad and Mary engage in a candid conversation with Nick Casale, a medical affairs leader as they explore the concept of servant leadership, especially in the context of organizational restructuring and change management. Nick shares his personal journey, insights on leading with empathy, and the importance of supporting his team during transitions. The discussion emphasizes the significance of maintaining a strong team culture and the role of leaders in navigating challenges while fostering a positive work environment.

In this episode of MSLead Chronicles, Chad and Mary engage in a heartfelt conversation with Mitch D'Rozario, PhD and MSL with Genentech. They explore the theme of finding purpose in one's career, particularly in medical affairs, and how to navigate the challenges of non-linear career growth. Mitch shares his personal journey, emphasizing the importance of mentorship, self-assessment, and the value of lateral moves in achieving fulfillment. The discussion also touches on the significance of authenticity and the role of coaching in professional development, culminating in a reflection on how to measure purpose beyond traditional promotions.

Chad and Mary are joined by Megan Vignos, PhD, Head of Scientific Value and Communications for US Medical Affairs with Biogen. Megan shares her professional medical affairs journey from roles she strategically chose for herself to the one she is in today that she was hand-picked for by her leadership.  She introduces her concept of 'Mind Your P's'—Pause, Process, and Plan—as a framework for managing change and leading teams effectively. Megan digs into the importance of networking with other medical affairs professionals when navigating unexpected career transitions. We go on to cover the challenges of building trust, tracking progress, and the significance of being intentional in communication. Megan emphasizes that every role offers valuable lessons and encourages listeners to have faith in their abilities as they navigate their own professional journeys.

In this episode, Chad and Mary engage with Shanti Frausto, a leader in field medical, discuss the importance of diversity in teams and how it drives innovation. Shanti shares his personal journey as a first-generation college student and the significance of embracing uniqueness in the workplace. The conversation highlights strategies for building diverse teams, the value of insights in medical affairs, and the role of mentorship in fostering growth. Shanti emphasizes the need for leaders to invest in their people and create an environment where everyone can thrive, ultimately leading to greater success for the organization.

Chad and Mary welcome Scott to pod to dig into they ways culture and collaboration can make or break a team's success. They discuss the importance of treating individuals as unique, fostering psychological safety, and the challenges of navigating toxic cultures. Scott shares real examples of effective (and ineffective) leadership approaches, the significance of people development, and the need for cross-functional collaboration. The conversation emphasizes that success is not just about metrics but about the relationships and culture within teams.

In this episode of MSLead Chronicles, Chad and Mary hang out with Sarica Klein, PharmD, to discuss the significance of team bonding, especially in remote settings. They explore how cohesive teams lead to success, the importance of psychological safety, and innovative strategies for fostering connection among team members. Sarica shares her experiences and insights on leadership, emphasizing the need for transparency, vulnerability, and open communication to create a supportive work environment. The conversation highlights practical approaches to enhance team dynamics and measure the impact of bonding efforts.

In this episode of MSLead Chronicles, hosts Chad and Mary discuss the nuances of interviewing, sharing humorous and insightful stories about candidate mishaps and hiring manager blunders. They explore the challenges of virtual interviews, the importance of preparation, and the lessons learned from real-life experiences. Although the conversation is lighthearted, it is informative, providing valuable takeaways for both candidates and hiring managers.The discussion highlights the evolving dynamics of job interviews, emphasizing that both candidates and interviewers must engage in a bi-directional process to ensure a positive experience.

Chad and Mary welcome Chris Hansen, PhD, Divisional General Manager for the Rare Disease Medical Affairs team, East, with Sanofi. This conversation explores the transition from traditional metrics to a more meaningful impact-driven approach in the field. Chris shares his journey, insights on the importance of both qualitative and quantitative metrics, and how to drive meaningful interactions with healthcare professionals. The discussion emphasizes the need for a holistic view of success in medical affairs, integrating both types of metrics to truly assess impact. In this conversation, Chris Hansen discusses the evolving landscape of medical affairs metrics, emphasizing the need for a holistic approach to measuring success.

Chad and Mary are joined by the great Lee Gervitz, PhD, MBA, SVP of Medical Affairs with Xenon Pharmaceuticals to talk about being strategic and intentional in creating multiple avenues and opportunities for professional growth for the people within your medical affairs organization.There are endless examples of big wins Lee shares over the course of his career, including one that could not have been more perfectly orchestrated-Lee described it as an Oprah Winfrey moment.Lee offers two big takeaways at the outset of this episode but you will come away with so much more!

They delve into the field of medical affairs training, exploring the roles and responsibilities of medical trainers, the significance of identifying educational gaps, and the necessity for high-impact training programs. The discussion emphasizes the need for consistency in training across organizations and the challenges faced in delivering effective medical affairs training. In this conversation, Karla Kenyon shares her extensive experience in medical training, particularly focusing on the role of Medical Science Liaisons (MSLs). She discusses the importance of collaboration, mentorship, and effective communication in training programs. Karla emphasizes the need for trainers to be organized, engaging, and to possess storytelling skills to effectively convey complex scientific information. The conversation also touches on the significance of emotional intelligence and the ability to adapt training methods to meet the needs of diverse learners. Karla provides insights into the interview process for MSL roles and offers advice for aspiring trainers on how to gain experience and demonstrate their capabilities.

Sharing "Best Practices" with your peers is central to information learned at your industry's conferences. Mary has just returned from the Pinnacle Society's Spring meeting, and Chad is curious to hear the crossover of learnings between medical affairs and recruiting.  The Pinnacle Society, is an exclusive invitation-only organization for the top recruiting professionals in North America. They explore key takeaways from the meetings, emphasizing the importance of storytelling, leveraging AI, and the art of interviewing and insights collection. The conversation highlights the value of community support and personal growth through networking, as well as the transferable skills between medical affairs and recruitment.

In this episode, Chad and Mary welcome Denise Clark, PharmD, a senior MSL in rare disease with Amgen, to recap the recent MAPS conference. There was so much incredible content available that we weren't able to cover it all, but topics discussed include the importance of defining value in medical affairs, and the role of AI and additional technological resources, and compliance in the industry. They delve into the key themes from the conference, including the need for medical affairs to demonstrate their impact and the evolving landscape of compliance in the pharmaceutical industry. This conversation further expands into the evolving role of Medical Science Liaisons (MSLs) and Medical Affairs in the healthcare landscape. It discusses the importance of establishing baselines for measuring treatment paradigms, the metrics used to evaluate MSL impact, and the significance of strategic questioning in KOL meetings. The dialogue also explores the influence of AI and digital platforms in identifying key opinion leaders and the necessity of networking within local chapters to enhance collaboration and knowledge sharing. Ultimately, the speakers emphasize the need for Medical Affairs to define its value and position itself as a strategic partner in healthcare.

In this episode of MSLead Chronicles, Chad and Mary are joined by Will Joseph, PhD, Sr. Director of Field Based Medicine with Xenon Pharmaceuticals, who shares insights on effective pre-launch planning, the significance of stakeholder engagement, and the role of AI in enhancing competitive intelligence efforts. The conversation emphasizes the need for early planning, customization of strategies, and the integration of various internal stakeholders to ensure a successful product launch. In this conversation, Chad and Will discuss the integration of AI in competitive intelligence, emphasizing the importance of qualitative insights alongside quantitative data. They explore the critical role of stakeholder engagement in launch planning, differentiating strategies for first-in-class versus next-in-class products, and the necessity of engaging external stakeholders such as KOLs and payers. The discussion highlights the need for thorough planning and market research to ensure successful product launches.

This week, Chad and Mary’s guest is Marsie Ross, PharmD, who is currently the Sr. Director of Alliance Management and Public Policy with Harmony Biosciences. She will share information on the role this function plays in pharma. In addition to learning about this impactful role, listeners will gain valuable takeaways on how to navigate their careers and the importance of building meaningful connections. In this conversation, Marsie discusses her journey in medical affairs, emphasizing the importance of human connection, mentorship, and strategic thinking. She highlights how identifying organizational needs and building relationships can lead to impactful roles, particularly in alliance development. Marsie shares insights on cross-functional collaboration, the significance of curiosity, and the competencies required for success in her field. The discussion also touches on the necessity of these roles in enhancing organizational awareness and engagement with professional communities.

In this episode of MSLead Chronicles, Chad and Mary hang out with Margaret Alabi, a passionate key player in patient advocacy in the pharmaceutical industry. They discuss the significance of patient advocacy, its impact on healthcare companies, and the evolving role of the patient advocates, themselves. Margaret shares her journey from pharmacy to becoming an MSL and then realizing her goal of building a career in patient advocacy.  She emphasizes the importance of building relationships with patient communities and understanding their needs. The conversation also explores the pivotal and highly impactful and invaluable position patient advocacy plays and its undeniable future with a seat at the proverbial table.

Chad and Mary engage with Coach Jacob, who specializes in helping individuals improve their relationship with technology. The conversation explores the impact of technology on focus, performance, and mental health, particularly the role of dopamine in our daily lives. Jacob shares insights on how technology can create a cycle of stress and distraction, and offers strategies for rewiring our responses to challenges. We talk about the need to regain control over our technology use and the profound effects of stress on performance. The discussion culminates in an overview of a program designed to help individuals navigate these challenges and enhance their overall well-being.

In this episode, Mary and Chad interview Shelby Oksman, founder of Thrive MSL. Shelby shares her journey through the MSL industry, her experiences with Ikigai, and how it led her to launch her MSL/medical affairs-centered coaching company. The discussion emphasizes the importance of professional branding, personal development, and the need for MSLs to align their passions with their careers. Shelby's insights on leveraging career transitions including the significance of storytelling in professional settings provide valuable takeaways for listeners.

In this episode of MSLead Chronicles, Chad and Mary welcome John Sandstrom, a seasoned professional in medical affairs to discuss MAPS, The Medical Affairs Professional Society. They discuss the evolution of medical affairs from a support function to a key player in strategic planning within the pharmaceutical industry. John emphasizes the importance of mentorship, work-life balance, and the role of the MAPS in providing valuable resources and networking opportunities for professionals in the field. The discussion covers the early days to the unprecedented impact that MAPS has had in the industry.  He emphasizes the significance of participating in MAPS activities, attending workshops, and leveraging mentorship programs to enhance skills and connections in the field. The discussion also touches on the future growth of MAPS and the evolving role of medical affairs in the pharmaceutical industry.

Chad and Mary discuss the purpose of making new year's resolutions and what they have in mind for 2025.

In this episode, Chad and Mary reflect on their podcast journey over the past year, discussing key themes, listener engagement, and the importance of various topics covered.  Finally, they tease future plans for the podcast in 2025!! Happy New Year!

In this episode of MSLead Chronicles, hosts Chad and Mary welcome Rachel Hawley, a PharmD and an inaugural US Medical Affairs Fellow at Alnylam Pharmaceuticals. Rachel shares her journey from pharmacy school to the pharmaceutical industry, emphasizing the importance of self-advocacy, building relationships, and giving oneself time to learn in a new role. The conversation delves into the competitive nature of fellowship programs and the challenges faced by new professionals in the industry, while also highlighting the rewarding aspects of making an impact in healthcare. In this conversation, Rachel Hawley shares her experiences and insights from her pharmacy fellowship, emphasizing the importance of proactive learning, relationship building, and networking. She discusses how she navigated her onboarding process, engaged in impactful projects, and built connections across various functions within her organization. Rachel also highlights the significance of social media as a tool for professional development and mentorship, encouraging others to maintain curiosity and seek diverse connections in their careers.

Our guest for this episode is Blanca Richardson, who has a Master's in Human Resource Management and Organizational Leadership, and holds a SHRM-CP and SPHR.  She has more than 25 years in talent acquisition in the pharmaceutical industry.  Chad and Mary talk with Blanca about the strategic approach to recruitment where she shares her insights on networking, the significance of recruitment strategy meetings, and how to effectively assess candidates. The conversation emphasizes the need for talent acquisition partners and recruiters to be experts in their field and to maintain open communication with hiring managers throughout the hiring process. In this conversation, we discuss the intricacies of the hiring process, emphasizing the importance of understanding hiring manager perspectives, candidate experience, and the need for effective partnerships between recruiters and hiring managers.

In this episode of MSLead Chronicles, hosts Chad Fellers and Mary Morton welcome Cathy Andorfer, PhD, to discuss her new book, 'The Art of Excellence: Build a Rockstar Career as a Medical Science Liaison and Beyond.' Cathy shares insights on the importance of emotional intelligence, the evolution of the MSL role, and practical tips for success in the field. The conversation emphasizes the need for MSLs to engage with their audience beyond just presenting data, highlighting the significance of understanding human behavior and building relationships. In this conversation, Cathy shares her insights on leadership, emphasizing the importance of prioritization, understanding team dynamics, and the transition from individual contributor to leadership roles. She discusses the challenges of managing competing priorities and the need for effective communication within teams. Cathy also highlights the significance of being proactive in career development and the value of mentorship in shaping future leaders. The discussion concludes with her aspirations for future growth and the impact of her experiences on others.

In this episode of MSLead Chronicles, hosts Chad Fellers and Mary Morton engage in a lively discussion with Carl De Luca, PhD, about the importance of insights in medical affairs. They explore Carl's new role focused on medical insights and analytics, the challenges of gathering and socializing insights, and the significance of training MSLs to ask the right questions. The conversation also touches on the use of technology in insights collection and the debate between free text and dropdown data collection methods. They explore the challenges of data collection, the need for compliance, and the potential of technology to streamline processes. The discussion highlights the future of medical affairs, focusing on how to leverage insights to improve patient care and demonstrate the value of medical affairs within the pharmaceutical industry.

In this episode, Chad and Mary engage in a conversation with Zach Henney, who shares his journey from an individual contributor to a leadership role in medical affairs. The discussion covers key takeaways for aspiring leaders, the importance of building a network, and the mindset shift required when transitioning to a leadership position. Zach emphasizes the significance of servant leadership, trust-building, and being intentional in leadership roles, while also sharing insights from his own career path in the pharmaceutical industry.

In this episode of MSL Lead Chronicles, hosts Chad and Mary delve into the significance of understanding and adapting to different communication styles, particularly in professional settings. They explore the four primary social styles—driving, expressive, amiable, and analytical—and discuss how recognizing these styles can enhance interpersonal communication, team dynamics, and overall effectiveness. The conversation emphasizes the importance of active listening, versatility in communication, and the need for practice in adapting one's style to better connect with others. The hosts also provide practical tips for applying these concepts in team settings and leveraging individual strengths for greater impact.

In this episode of MSLead Chronicles, Chad and Mary visit with Joe Medicis, a seasoned expert in medical affairs and current Global Executive Medical Director with Madrigal Pharmaceuticals, to discuss the intricacies of working in startups and with first-in-class products in those environments. The conversation covers essential strategies for navigating the challenges of medical affairs, the importance of data-driven decision-making, and more in shaping market potential.

In this episode, Chad leans into Mary's nearly 3 decades of executive recruiting experience to share how we can all be more intentional in our commitment to ourselves and to position ourselves to make the best career choices to achieve our professional growth.

In this episode of MSLead Chronicles, Chad and Mary discuss individual development plans (IDPs) with their guest, Kunal Ramani. Kunal shares his experience with IDPs and emphasizes the importance of self-introspection and aligning personal goals with the company's strategic goals. He highlights that IDPs are not just for vertical movement but can also facilitate lateral growth. The conversation also touches on the role of managers in supporting employees' development and the benefits of having a roadmap for career progression. The conversation explores the importance of Individual Development Plans (IDPs) in leadership development. 

In this conversation, Chad Fellers and Chi Momah discuss the importance of cross-functional collaboration in the medical affairs industry. They emphasize the need for defined and aligned goals between medical and commercial teams, as well as the importance of seeking to understand each other's perspectives. Chi shares his career journey, highlighting the value of networking and the transferable skills he gained from transitioning between medical and commercial roles.

In this conversation, Chad and Mary discuss the topic of insights in medical affairs. They address questions and concerns from MSL Leaders and MSLs regarding the impact and communication of insights. They emphasize the importance of clear direction, qualitative metrics, and collaboration between field medical and medical affairs leadership. They also discuss the challenges of tracking and reporting insights and suggest ways to improve the process. Overall, the conversation highlights the need for effective communication and alignment between field medical and medical affairs to drive the value of insights. The conversation explores the importance of communication and feedback in the medical affairs field. It emphasizes the need for medical directors to set clear expectations and communicate with their teams. The conversation also discusses the role of insights in medical affairs and the need to define the starting line and the participants involved. Data analytics is mentioned as a tool to measure the impact of insights, but it is acknowledged that quantifying qualitative metrics can be challenging. The conversation concludes with a discussion on providing feedback and creating an environment where questions and ideas are valued.

In this episode, Chad and Mary are joined by Ryan Case, a medical director in neurology and author of the book 'Wild Happy.' Ryan shares his experiences living in remote villages in Papua New Guinea and the lessons he learned about life, self-exploration, and simplicity. The conversation covers topics such as culture shock, imposter syndrome, and the importance of personal journeys. The key takeaways include the idea that life is a journey of self-exploration, the value of simplicity in problem-solving, and the importance of investing in personal growth. Ryan goes on to tell us how it changed his perspective on life and work. He emphasizes the need to pay attention to ourselves, figure out our values, and make decisions based on what aligns with those values by living life deliberately.

Audrey shares her journey of transitioning from an MSL role to a clinical development role in the pharmaceutical industry. She emphasizes the importance of exploring different opportunities and encourages leaders to give their team the freedom to explore. The conversation also touches on imposter syndrome and the importance of having a supportive leader who believes in your abilities. In this conversation, Audrey Wells and Chad Fellers discuss the importance of personal mission statements and pursuing happiness in one's career. They emphasize the need for MSLs to identify their strengths and pursue opportunities that align with their interests and goals. They also discuss the importance of taking advantage of professional development resources and creating opportunities for growth. They explore the potential for collaboration between medical affairs and clinical development in bridging the gap and improving the future of pharma.

In this episode, Chad and Mary take a break from their regular format to celebrate the first 12 episodes of their podcast. They reflect on the growth and success of the podcast, thank their listeners and guests, and discuss some of the key takeaways from each episode. They also provide a preview of upcoming episodes and express their gratitude for the support and engagement they have received.