I am driven by the infinite ways to connect people. Whether it be building an integrated team or uniting any number of stakeholders - I thrive on how many can become one in order to deliver transformational change to a business. Every challenge is an opportunity. An award-winning public affairs executive with a 15+ year track record elevating corporate reputation of global biopharmaceutical firms through internal and external communications strategies. A proven leader leveraging years of unique experience from inside legislative and executive branches of both state and federal governments, as well as political campaigns. A strategic manager who applies a cross-functional, global lens to identify needed change, create a vision and achieve unprecedented results. A dynamic relationship-builder with a history developing alliances and coalitions with trade associations, advocates, industry peers, and policy makers that protect patient access to innovative medicines.
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Vice PresidentVertex PharmaceuticalsBoston, Ma, Us -
Vice President - State Government Affairs & Patient Advocacy, Us Public AffairsVertex Pharmaceuticals Feb 2023 - PresentBoston, Ma, UsLead all public affairs initiatives in the states regarding corporate reputation, market access, reimbursement, pricing and disease education. Direct executive-level campaigns and strategic messaging. Manage a budget and national team as chief strategist of experts across political, policy, and patient advocacy field teams who execute on lobbying, messaging campaigns, panels, roundtables, and more. Built from a team of one to a multi-functional, national, integrated team now advancing significant policy shifts and advocacy campaigns. -
Executive Director - Us Public Affairs (Head Of State Government Affairs & Patient Advocacy)Vertex Pharmaceuticals Mar 2020 - Feb 2023Boston, Ma, Us -
Executive Director, Head Of State Government AffairsVertex Pharmaceuticals Feb 2019 - Apr 2020Boston, Ma, Us -
Senior Director, Head Of State Government AffairsVertex Pharmaceuticals Aug 2015 - Feb 2019Boston, Ma, Us -
Director, Head Of State Government AffairsVertex Pharmaceuticals Sep 2014 - Aug 2015Boston, Ma, Us -
Associate Director Of State Government Affairs, Northeast & MidwestGilead Sciences Jan 2013 - Aug 2014Foster City, Ca, UsManaged lobbying related to the Affordable Care Act, public health programs, and state payer policies. -
Director, Head Of Federal Government AffairsVertex Pharmaceuticals Apr 2011 - Dec 2012Boston, Ma, UsLed federal policy priorities to establish education, testing, and linkage to care programs in viral hepatitis. -
Director, Head Of ReimbursementAstrazeneca Sep 2008 - Apr 2011Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, GbDirected policy and strategy for federal reimbursement as aligned with business goals. Drove company initiative to better integrate reimbursement business units with external stakeholders. -
Director, Federal Government AffairsAstrazeneca Oct 2006 - Sep 2008Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, GbAchieved unprecedented industry support of mental health parity and passage of federal legislation establishing mental health coverage as equal to medical benefits in US health plans. -
Health Policy AdvisorU.S. Congresswoman Sue Kelly (R-Ny) May 2005 - Oct 2006Advised Member's leadership positions and directed bipartisan legislation regarding disease treatment guidelines, hospital MSA reimbursement. Secured $1M in additional federal funding for school district to advance educational equity at institutions serving military students and families.
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Health Insurance SpecialistCenters For Medicare & Medicaid Services 2004 - 2005Baltimore, Md, UsAdvanced priorities for Medicare Part D, Medicaid, and state employee retirement systems by negotiating and drafting preamble and regulatory language on Medicare Part D. -
Legal Fellow - Health SubcommitteeU.S. House Committee On Energy & Commerce 2003 - 2003Supported Health Subcommittee Staff Director and counsel drafting Medicare Modernization Act with analysis of statutory and case law.
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Legislative Assistant To The GovernorState Of Illinois Aug 2000 - Aug 2001UsDevised and implemented efforts to secure federal appropriations for Illinois Medicaid. -
Prior RolesState Of Illinois - Legislative Leadership, Executive Agency And Political Campaigns Jan 1995 - Dec 2000Diverse experience across state agency public affairs and media communications functions, Illinois State Senate President's office, legislative communications and political campaigns.
Richard O. Education Details
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University Of Illinois College Of LawHealth Law -
University Of Illinois Urbana-ChampaignSpeech Communication And Rhetoric
Frequently Asked Questions about Richard O.
What company does Richard O. work for?
Richard O. works for Vertex Pharmaceuticals
What is Richard O.'s role at the current company?
Richard O.'s current role is Vice President.
What schools did Richard O. attend?
Richard O. attended University Of Illinois College Of Law, University Of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
Who are Richard O.'s colleagues?
Richard O.'s colleagues are Pragati Pathre, Lori Blanchfield, Sarahi G. Molina, Dr. Garima Pandey, Astrid Wirén, Corinne Crosby, Qirun Li.
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