A medical science liaison (abbreviated as MSL) is a healthcare consulting professional who is employed by pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device, and managed care companies.A description of what medical science liaisons do and where MSLs fit in healthcare companies has been provided by Medical Science Liaison Institute, as "therapeutic specialists with advanced scientific training and degrees in life sciences. ...Medical science liaisons actively engage in activities that support the strategic direction of a product. Therefore, medical science liaisons are exposed to key decision makers both within the organization and outside the company". The role of MSLs was described by Dr. Jane Chin, Ph.D. (http://www.mslinstitute.com) as, "...catalysts of collaboration between pharmaceutical companies and thought leaders, medical science liaisons are essential conduits to the quality and success of transmission of timely information, research resources, and business intelligence."While before MSLs were promoted from tenured sales representatives who have demonstrated a level of technical competence, today's MSLs are often scientists and clinicians who hold terminal or advanced degrees, including PhD, PharmD, and MD. Current industry and regulatory trends had driven most companies to require doctorate degrees for field medical science liaison positions.