In this role I managed a Nation-wide team of Oncology field medical colleagues that leveraged healthcare data analytics to engage external medical stakeholders and build advocacy around closing care gaps and improving patient outcomes. With a remit that included the entire Pfizer Oncology portfolio (Breast, Prostate, Renal Cell, Colorectal, Lung and Hematology) I also managed a team that designed and developed customer-facing RW-data analytic tools and resources (data dashboards, reports, and other tools) to advance discussions around reducing variations in care and advancing standards of care in oncology. Data sources we worked with included: IQVIA LAAD/APLD, Pharmetrics Plus, Flat-iron, Optum SES and Optum DoD.

In this role, I served as a health economics scientist (field based) covering the western region of the US responsible for the entire BMS product portfolio (oncology, cardiovascular, immuno-science, and virology). In this role, my main internal stakeholders included: HQ HEOR, Brand Marketing, Medical Strategy and Value Access and Payment/Managed Markets Sales, and my main external stakeholders included formulary and access decision-makers in the Health Plan, PBM and IDN segments. In addition to facilitating the generation of HEOR evidence, I gathered and communicated external stakeholder insights with the goal of collaborating to develop solutions designed to help optimize the value of our portfolio and accelerate speed to patient via access to our medicines.

At Health Strategy LLC, I worked on behalf of health plans, employers, and other health care services organizations to assist in the development and implementation of healthcare solutions that optimized both value and outcomes. I directly managed all health economics and outcomes research initiatives (adherence, total spend, benefit design impact modeling, GDR, and rebate impact modeling) across 9 self-funded clients ($510MM in yearly pharmacy spend). Pharmacy spend management activities included: serving as member of the formulary team for self-funded employer clients, conducted monthly class reviews and rebate opportunity modeling for formulary team, facilitating the procurement and evaluation of vendor bids as a part of the PBM RFP process, renegotiating PBM service agreements post market check, developing a variety of software-based reporting solutions to inform executive-level decision-making, using forecasting and utilization trend analyses to anticipate future developments in plan pay/pharmacy spend with the goal of anticipating and addressing issues.Self-Funded Employer Projects of interest: Developed and maintained a monthly report (R-based solution) that identified medication classes (GPI-4 level) experiencing above trend growth and investigated root causes (network, unit cost or utilization). Analyzed a site of care optimization opportunity (physician administered “buy and bill” vs. specialty pharmacy distributed “white bag” program) for medically infused agents. Produced all analyses required for monthly formulary committee reviews. Analyzed impact (medical encounters/utilization and pharmacy spend/utilization/medical adherence) of major changes to pharmacy benefits in the PPI and HMG-CoA inhibitor classes.

In this role I managed a team of highly skilled, advanced-degreed field-based health outcomes researchers. Worked daily to oversee the design and conduct of health economic and outcome research projects/studies focusing on value positioning and reimbursement of Novo Nordisk products. The team under management supported Brand Marketing, Pricing and Contracting Operations (PCOR), Sales, and Medical & Scientific Affairs strategies with expertise in the design and application of economic/outcomes value research during all phases of product life cycle. In addition, my team represented Novo Nordisk by engaging key external stakeholders in product value discussions during customer meetings, presentations, advisory boards, and scientific conferences (international & domestic). In this role I managed the team through an expansion and an organizational restructuring.

Worked closely with Director of Health Economics to set HEOR strategic direction. Conducted original health economic and health outcomes research. Responsible for all aspects of effective project management, including RFP development, selection of research partners, contract execution, budget planning, analytic plan development, oversight of data collection/acquisition, data analysis, and development of research findings into key resources/deliverables in alignment with brand and channel strategies. Managed the development of manuscripts, abstracts and posters based on the results of health economics studies. Translated study results into value messages and developed customer-facing tools and other deliverables. Represented US Health Economics at global pricing and market access meetings. Served as lead US health economist on the liraglutide launch team (responsible for developing key managed market messages, managing all US HEOR initiatives and developing relevant sections of AMCP format dossier). Worked closely with Managed Care and Government (MC&G) account executive leadership to develop and support Account Executive business needs for the entire Novo Nordisk product portfolio. Incorporated the business requirements/concerns of MC&G customers into analytic tools and cost models. Presented health economics data and research to external customers (payers and health technology assessment organizations/agencies).

Served in this role both as a new hire (2002-2004) and after the Regional CEC (pilot) function (2004-2005) was eliminated. Operated as a field-based clinical information specialist working closely with Managed Care Account Managers and Regional Therapeutic Cluster Directors to provide clinical support and consultative services to 5 accounts representing approx. $109MM of business in Washington state (State of Washington Health Care Authority, Uniform Health Plan, Group Health of Puget Sound (HMO), Madigan Army Medical Center, Bremerton Naval Hospital, Franciscan Health System (IDS), and Northwest Pharmacy Service (PBM). Relevant successes included: successfully supporting five product launches (eletriptan, pegaptanib, pregabalin, varenicline, and inhaled insulin), participating and coordinating formulary defense strategies for tolterodine ER (WA Medicaid, AK Medicaid), ziprasidone (WA Medicaid, Group Health), atorvastatin (WA Medicaid), and eletriptan (WA Medicaid).

After receiving my PharmD and while completing my PhD work, I served as a self-employed independent research consultant for a number of research and medical writing/education agencies doing work for pharmaceutical companies. I worked as a sub-contractor for the following: Cortex Communications (Tampa, FL), Health Dimensions of NJ (Teaneck, NJ), and JestaRx, Inc (Laguna Beach, CA). Clients included: Roche and Allergan. Relevant successes included: working closely with a key thought leader in the field of ocular therapeutics to conduct a cost-effectiveness analysis comparing the use of two glaucoma products, developing a decision analytic model to support cost effectiveness of glaucoma treatment and representing this research at a scientific meeting (ARVO ’99), working closely with a key thought leader in the field of ophthalmology to conduct a cost-minimization analysis comparing two products used to control intra-ocular pressure spikes following argon laser trabeculoplasty, and developing a cost minimization model and presenting this research at AGS ’00.

Worked at various chain and independent pharmacies throughout the central Texas area as a floating relief-pharmacist (Heart Hospital of Austin, Charter Hospital of Austin, H.E.B. Grocery, Albertsons, Winn Dixie, Eckerd Drug, Nau's Pharmacy). Responsible for provision of pharmaceutical products in compliance with state pharmacy laws, regulations, and company policies & procedures. Managed pharmacy support staff. Provided patient education and counseling in accordance with state and federal mandates.

Courses taught: Intravenous Admixture Compounding, Pharmacy Practice I, Pharmacy Practice II, Patient Education and Biomedical Ethics, Pharmacotherapy.

Worked as a joint internal resource to HQ Medical Marketing and Health Economics function. Projects included: collaborating with KOLs in field of ophthalmology facilitate Investigator Initiated Research. Relevant successes included: Working with KOLs in the field of ophthalmology to facilitate the development of multiple Phase IV protocols and presented these protocols to internal stakeholders at HQ Phase IIIb/IV meetings, Working with the Dir. of W.W. Medical Marketing to develop a clinical information slide deck to be used to support the managed care launch of Nedocromil sodium ophthalmic solution (Alocril), participating in pre-launch Scientific Advisory Board presentations of clinical and value-based messaging to payer KOLs, and working with internal customers to develop materials to be included in the early-experience kits for the launch of nedocromil sodium ophthalmic solution (Alocril).