The IPhO Podcast

Episode 31: Elevating the Pharmaceutical Industry with Shawn Leland

We are kicking off the new year with a special podcast episode featuring Shawn Leland, CEO and Founder of Elevation Oncology!

Shawn brings over a decade of experience in medical affairs and business development for the pharmaceutical and biotech industries, with a focus on building collaborations to realize the full potential of targeted and personalized therapeutics.

His company, Elevation Oncology, is leading the way in novel cancer treatment, while always prioritizing the work/life balance and well-being of employees. Shawn stresses the importance of a flexible work environment that allows employees to be present in their careers and their homes. To perform at your best, he says, you need to have the time to sit back and refresh.

Tune in now to learn about Shawn's journey and the exciting new developments happening at Elevation Oncology!

Episode 30: Transferable Skills in Industry with Ekene Oranu

On this episode of the IPhO Podcast, we are joined by Ekene Oranu, PharmD, US Oncology Marketing Fellow at Merck. Ekene shares how to leverage your transferable skills within industry to secure the position that's right for you.

Ekene breaks down the skills you likely already possess to help bolster your resume as you apply for fellowships and entry-level roles, as well as how to succeed once you're there. You'll learn how to make the most of your relationship with your preceptors, develop your industry confidence as a PharmD, navigate industry functional areas, and more. This is an episode you don't want to miss!

A special thank you to our episode sponsors, the National Pharmaceutical Council, RevHealth, and the University of Southern California.

NPC: https://www.npcnow.org/about/health-policy-fellowship-rutgers-npc

RevHealth: https://www.industrypharmacist.org/resources/f7a77ebfd6665c5b96576ab65f65d420.pdf

USC: https://pharmacyschool.usc.edu/program/fellowship-programs/

Episode 29 - Jim Alexander on IPhO’s 10-year Anniversary

On this special podcast episode, we are joined again by IPhO CEO and Founder, Jim Alexander. And it's the perfect time: 2022 marks the 10th anniversary of IPhO! We're proud to look back on our very first days, celebrate how IPhO has grown over the past 10 years, and share our big plans for the future.

"IPhO is not a thing; it's a community of people," says Jim. With 100 student chapters, a growing diversity and inclusion program, incredible partnerships with industry leaders, and a network of passionate and talented members, there's no limit to what IPhO can achieve over the next decade and beyond. 

You definitely don't want to miss this one, so throw on your headphones and check out episode 29 of the IPhO Podcast!

A special thank you to our episode sponsors, Pfizer and Novo Nordisk.

Episode 28: Meet Our Newest Podcast Host (Brian Arana-Madriz, PharmD)

Episode 28: Meet Our Newest Podcast Host (Brian Arana-Madriz, PharmD)

 

We're excited to officially introduce you to the newest member of our IPhO Podcast team, Brian Arana-Madriz. 

 

Brian is a Global Regulatory Affairs Fellow at Alexion, AstraZeneca Rare Disease, and an active member of the IPhO National Fellows Council! Join us as we get to know Brian and learn about his background, experiences, future plans for the podcast, and helpful advice for those who may be pursuing non-traditional pharmacy roles.

Whether it's advice on networking effectively, choosing a functional area, planning for fellowship interviews, or sending out fellowship applications—Brian's got you covered. 

 

A Special thank you to our episode sponsors, Northeastern University, and Saint Joseph's University Philadelphia College of Pharmacy.

 

Northeastern University:

https://bouve.northeastern.edu/pharmacy/fellowships/

 

SJU:

https://www.sju.edu/departments/pharmacy-practice/postgraduate-programs/fellowships

Episode 27: Aspiring Sports Broadcaster to Healthcare Policy Leader (John M. O’Brien, PharmD, MPH)

John M. O'Brien, President and CEO of the National Pharmaceutical Council (NPC), joins us for episode 27 of the IPhO Podcast! John has quite the resume, having worked in pharma, academia, health policy, and government—just to name a few—throughout his career.

Growing up, he wanted to be a sports broadcaster. But watching how much of an impact medicine made on his own mother's life changed his career plans entirely.

Since then, he's gone on to establish himself as a leader in Healthcare Policy, influencing decisions that have positively impacted access to medications for millions of patients.

We can't wait for you to listen and meet John, learn a bit about the NPC Fellowship Program, and gain a better understanding of what it means to work in this important realm of industry.

A special thank you to our episode sponsors, Eli Lilly and Company, UCB, and UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy!

 

Eli Lilly and Company:

https://www.industrypharmacist.org/resources/70f55464042425ad7ff4d0442279d7fc.pdf

 

UCB:

https://www.industrypharmacist.org/resources/3880d166c5aba7c0772ffb6966a64e7b.pdf

 

UNC:

https://pharmacy.unc.edu/education/fellowships/

Episode 26: Planning Your Financial Future with Tim Ulbrich, PharmD

I'm overwhelmed with my pharmacy school loans; I know I need to save for my future, but I don't know where to begin; I thought I was making a great income until I realized how expensive life out of school really is; the list goes on.

These were just some of the comments that Tim Ulbrich, CEO and Co-Founder of Your Financial Pharmacist, heard over and over again. They inspired him to take action and help others navigate their financial well-being. 

Building his business from the ground up was no easy feat. He grew his idea into a hobby, and then turned his hobby into a side hustle. His side hustle took off and evolved into his current business—and Tim reached all these milestones while simultaneously pursuing his academic career.

Whether you are a current student, recent graduate, Industry Fellow, or experienced Industry Pharmacist, you don't want to miss this insightful podcast episode. Tim shares his advice for how to set yourself up for financial success, some of his go-to reads on the topic of financial well-being, and so much more.

Episode 25: ”Keep an Open Mind” with Sabrina Michelle Hayden, PharmD, MBAhc

Sabrina Michelle Hayden, PharmD, MBAhc⁠—a current Industry Fellow with Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, BeiGene and the FDA Office of Surveillance and Epidemiology⁠—joins us for episode 25 of the IPhO Podcast.

Though she did not have pharmaceutical industry internship experience, Sabrina made sure she could stand out in other ways as a prospective fellowship applicant. Her involvement with her IPhO chapter—in particular, the networking opportunities it provided her and the connections she made with industry Fellows—helped her position herself as the best candidate for her current fellowship role.

Sabrina spent hours reading through fellowship position/functional area descriptions, and that process opened her eyes to many new opportunities that she had never considered to be the right fit for her initially based on title alone. Keeping an open mind and doing her research were critical to her success.

Listen in as Sabrina shares an honest reflection on her application experience, an overview of her fellowship role and how it offers a 360 degree view of patient safety, and much more.

 

A special thank you to our episode sponsor, Keck Graduate Institute (KGI)!
https://www.kgi.edu/academics/schools/school-of-pharmacy-and-health-sciences/

Episode 24: ”A Dream Come True” with Holly Graber, PharmD, RPh, MBAc

Holly grew up in eastern Pennsylvania, just a stone's throw from Merck where she now works as a Clinical Safety and Risk Management Fellow. Her admiration for the employees there—and how hard they worked to make life better for patients—sparked her interest in pharmacy when she was in high school.

And then, during pharmacy school, things started to come full circle for her when she landed an internship at the place that inspired her career—Merck.

Today, Holly is working in her dream position and making the most of every moment. 

In this episode, Holly shares what helped her choose her fellowship program, what experiences to highlight in a fellowship interview (hint: you don't have to have industry experience to succeed!), and much more. Listen now!

A special thank you to our episode sponsor, Keck Graduate Institute (KGI)!

https://www.kgi.edu/academics/schools/school-of-pharmacy-and-health-sciences/

Episode 23 - ”Always Raise Your Hand” with Elaine Nadeau, PharmD

During pharmacy school, the husband of one of Elaine's professors was a Medical Science Liaison (MSL). She jumped at the opportunity to meet him and asked questions about his role, fellowships, and industry in general—and that important conversation solidified her decision to pursue an industry career.

One of the greatest pieces of advice that Elaine offers listeners is to always "raise your hand." She launched her career working for a small company, and as long as she was meeting her goals, she would often volunteer for new projects and opportunities that helped her grow personally and professionally.

Tune in to learn how to develop industry "soft skills" not taught in pharmacy school, an overview of field medical, how to decide between a small or large company, and much more.

A special thank you to our episode sponsor, Keck Graduate Institute (KGI)!

https://www.kgi.edu/academics/schools/school-of-pharmacy-and-health-sciences/

Episode 22 - The Path Less Traveled with Jeff MacDonald

Jeff credits his small hometown as the place that sparked his interest in pharmacy. He learned firsthand the important role that pharmacists played in his community and was fascinated by medications and their impact on patients.

He went on to serve as Vice President of his IPhO Chapter in pharmacy school and built important connections and professional relationships that helped solidify his decision to pursue an industry career. Even during challenging times, Jeff knew he was growing and that he was "in the right place."

But one of the most pivotal moments in his career was a conversation with a preceptor who landed a direct-to-industry role, rather than a fellowship. Suddenly, a path he did not even realize was an option became the choice that felt like the perfect fit.

Tune in this week to gain a unique perspective on how to establish yourself in industry without a fellowship, strategies to identify what position is right for you, and more!

A special thank you to our episode sponsor, Keck Graduate Institute (KGI)!

https://www.kgi.edu/academics/schools/school-of-pharmacy-and-health-sciences/