Genentech: US Medical Affairs (USMA) - Field Medical

OBJECTIVE: 

The USMA - Field Medical Fellowship is a Two-year program designed to assign a bilingual (Spanish-English) fellow based in Puerto Rico to onboard, train and activate as a modified Medical Science Liaison (mMSL).

*though fluency in Spanish is not mandatory, it is preferential for this fellowship opportunity

BACKGROUND 

The island of Puerto Rico is an unincorporated territory of the United States, and a commonwealth of the Caribbean islands. Puerto Rico represents a growing healthcare sector and a diverse population that includes both English and Spanish speakers. Its culture is that of old and new with a mixture of indigenous, Spanish, and African traditions. The healthcare landscape is as unique as the population which is 64% European, 21% African and 15% native Taino with a median age of 44.4 yo. Familismo, which is the belief that the family is a well-integrated unit where members can depend on each other, is at the core of Puerto Rican culture. 

Specialty care on the island is mostly delivered by single physician practices with very little to no involvement from Nurse Practitioners or Physician Assistants. Over the past few years the island has been plagued with natural disasters causing even greater health disparities and population shifts. In 2017, Puerto Rico passed the “Incentives Act for the Retention and Return of Medical Professionals”- to provide income tax incentives to retain practicing physicians and to attract those who migrated to the US. With that said, more recently, we are seeing an influx of new and younger physicians returning to the island.

Disparities in care continue to be a major issue in Puerto Rico.  Lack of diverse data and decreased access to providers and therapies result in decreased knowledge and increased disparities where patients with financial means opt to travel to Florida or New York for surgeries. This also results in a disproportionate amount of advanced/metastatic cancer diagnoses in Puerto Rico.

Genentech seeks a dedicated Field Medical/MSL presence on the island. 

Rationale for Fellowship:

  1. Linguistic and Cultural Relevance: Interpersonal relationships are important and Familismo and friendship play a major role in both social and business interactions. A bilingual mMSL fluent in Spanish and English and who resides in Puerto Rico can have face-to-face interactions at a higher frequency to foster trust and build strong      interpersonal relations. Additionally, communication with HCPs in their preferred language can enhance understanding, rapport, and ultimately, the impact of our scientific communications. 
  2. Local Healthcare Knowledge: Living in Puerto Rico provides a firsthand insight into the local healthcare landscape, including regulatory frameworks, treatment practices, and patient demographics. This knowledge can strategically enhance meeting the needs of healthcare providers.
  3. Enhanced Stakeholder Engagement: By having a dedicated Field Medical/MSL presence on the island, there is an opportunity to better engage with and serve the medical needs of HCPs in Puerto Rico. 
  4. Accessibility and Responsiveness: Proximity and removing language barriers enables quicker response times to inquiries, scientific information requests, and emerging clinical data discussions. This agility is vital in a dynamic healthcare environment where timely and accurate information can make us more medically competitive. 
  5. Strategic Advantage: Having a dedicated MSL in Puerto Rico demonstrates our commitment to the local healthcare community and diversity and inclusion in clinical trials. It also positions us competitively in the medical space.

Key Fellow Responsibilities:

  • Scientific Exchange: Engage in scientific discussions with HCPs and researchers both proactively and reactively 
  • Education and Training: Provide scientific education and training on our products and therapeutic areas both proactively and reactively 
  • Clinical Insights: Gather insights on treatment trends, unmet needs, and healthcare landscape.
  • Collaborate: Liaise with internal teams such as MEDS and MSLs to meet the needs of our HCPs
APPLY HERE