We Work For Health Champions Awards Class of 2012 Brief Biographical Information (Alphabetical by Member Company) The We Work For Health Champion Awards are given annually to those to individuals who have gone above and beyond outside of their job description as advocates for the biopharmaceutical industry. Abbott: Michelle Calhoun Director Marketing, Commercial Operations Michelle Calhoun initiated and directed Abbott s participation in the inaugural San Francisco Bay Area Science Festival, which helped educate more than 70,000 school children, teachers and parents about science and research. Michelle highlighted Abbott s Labs are Vital Program with an 18-wheeler mobile clinical lab demonstration for kids to see and appreciate the value of clinical laboratory technologies. She additionally brought more than two-dozen Abbott scientists and colleagues who used the Abbott Family Science Program exhibit to raise the awareness of thousands of young visitors by stimulating their interest in the diversity of the biotechnology industry. AstraZeneca: John McCarthy Vice President, Commercial Operations Under John McCarthy's leadership, the AstraZeneca PAC has increased its percentage of giving and total receipts in 2012, with his team having the most employees participate in the campaign. Passionate about the community in which AstraZeneca employees work and live, John serves as a Board member for the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce, as well as for the Caitlin Robb Foundation, which is an organization dedicated to fighting childhood cancers. He volunteers for the Delaware Foundation for Reaching Citizens with Cognitive Dysfunctions, and coaches youth football.
Bristol Myers Squibb: Paula O'Neill Internal Communications Among other volunteer positions, Paula O Neill coordinates the year round volunteer program for Central New Jersey Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMS) employees entitled Helping Hands, which enables employees to volunteer their time for various community and charitable causes. This year, Paula expanded the program to ensure that BMS employees worldwide could have similar opportunities to help the communities in which they live. Bristol Myers Squibb: Mark Peters Director, Advocacy & Policy, Oncology Mark Peters has worked with patient and professional organizations to create patient registries, which help people better understand the real world treatment of heart attack and stroke. This year, Mark connected over 50 professional and patient organizations to improve Bristol Myers Squibb s awareness, diagnosis and treatment of P.A.D. Mark cocreated a non-profit organization to improve access and adherence to prescription medication in under and uninsured patients. This awardwinning program has helped thousands and is now self-sustaining and partially funded by the Hunterdon County Government. Eli Lilly: Tracy Sims Senior Advisor, Corporate Social Responsibility Tracy Sims advocates for programs that are in the best interest of patients. In 2011, Eli Lilly launched a new program focused on NonCommunicable Diseases - with a particular focus on diabetes. Tracy tirelessly focused energies on building the program and working with key external partners who could help the program succeed. Tracy's efforts increased the visibility of NCDs in media and with key medical stakeholders.
Eli Lilly: Molly Wehrenberg Senior Account Manager, Indiana & Michigan Molly Wehrenberg works in Eli Lilly's managed care services organization and was instrumental in preserving the mental health carve out in Indiana in 2011 and reinforcing the issue in 2012. Her substance and passion both run deep - almost intimidating Indiana Medicaid representatives with her knowledge. She has championed the issue for Eli Lilly, the industry, and for patients. GlaxoSmithKline: Ron Goldberg Sales Representative Ron Goldberg joined the GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) PAC at the start of his career and has been an advocate for political involvement for more than 24 years. Ron has always kept his GSK field sales colleagues informed of political activities during weekly conference calls, as well as during district and regional meetings. So much so, that his Regional Vice President made him the unofficial Regional Healthcare Reform Expert. GlaxoSmithKline: Beth Helgeson Senior Executive Account Manager II, Federal, Federal West Beth Helgeson is passionate about her work at GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) and the political environment that has an impact on the delivery of healthcare. Beth works diligently to excel at her job and makes raising political awareness among colleagues a focus of her work. Beth is well informed on healthcare policy and is a great resource to others at GSK. She knows the importance of contacting Members of Congress to share a legislative view. Beth also serves on the GSK PAC Board of Directors.
Merck: Tom McGrath Executive Customer Service Representative Tom McGrath has been an Ambassador for Merck PAC since the inception of the program and has driven strong sponsorship from his peers. More importantly though, Tom has an endless amount of passion and energy for the industry and the value it brings to human health. He is determined to share that passion with those he meets and he exemplifies the role of an industry champion. Novo Nordisk: Daye Bexley Senior Strategic Account Executive, Managed Market Sales Daye Bexley has always been engaged on collaborative projects with Government Affairs, including the Medicare Diabetes Screening Project and the Historically Black Colleges and Universities Awareness Project (HBCU). Her stellar work ethic, attention to detail, and holistic thinking and approach were valuable qualities that helped propel NNI's HBCU Diabetes Awareness Project to the next level. With her leadership, not only did Novo Nordisk host a symposium with students & faculty, but also successfully organized alumni physicians to learn about the newest innovations in diabetes treatments. Novo Nordisk: Steve Noyes Vice President, Managed Market Sales Known at Novo Nordisk as an Advocacy Rock Star, Steve Noyes has seen his department grow from a team of 20 to 150, in just a few short years. With increased responsibilities and demands on his schedule, Steve has always made advocacy a priority on his already full plate. Steve demonstrated his interest and commitment to advocacy by pulling his entire team of 150 out of the field to come to Washington in 2011. His commitment to advocacy has positively affected his team as well. As one employee stated this is my 35th year in the pharmaceutical industry and I can tell you that today is one of the most interesting, exciting, and self-fulfilling days that I have had in my career.
Pfizer: Paul Bowles Scientist, Pharmaceutical Sciences R&D Paul Bowles has been an outstanding advocate for Pfizer and the pharmaceutical industry over the past several years, through legislative advocacy and community outreach, making significant contributions both nationally and in Connecticut representing Pfizer On Capitol Hill in DC and the Connecticut State Capitol. At Pfizer, Paul has provided tours and demonstrations of pharmaceutical sciences for literally hundreds, perhaps thousands, of individuals. And within his community, Paul serves on the board of the Boys and Girls Club of Southeastern Connecticut and oversaw the development of five new sites across the state. Pfizer: Hovik Gukasyan Senior Scientist, Pharmaceutical Sciences R&D Hovik Gukasyan works with Pfizer s Public Affairs office in hosting and introducing VIPs, medical doctors, and students to the profession of making medicine. Hovik also promotes grassroots awareness on regulatory issues concerning the pharmaceutical industry personally and through being an active member of Pfizer s PAC. Hovik is a lecturer on the faculty of USC School of Pharmacy, and the UCSD Department of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering. He recently became a member of THINK SCIENCE NOW, a community of Pfizer colleagues providing commentary on new ways to prevent, treat and cure diseases.
Sanofi: Jason Steinhart Associate General Council, NA Litigation Jason Steinhart has been extremely active and supportive in Sanofi s grassroots efforts. He is one of the most consistent activists when Sanofi sends out an action alert. As the legal contact and official "Civic Champion" for the legal department, Jason helps push activations through in a time sensitive manner and provides the legal guidance critical to any activation. Jason also serves on Sanofi's Political Action Committee Board specializing in the legal aspects of the PAC.