Jumping into the Pool: A Career Transition into Pharmaceutical Industry

Ashley E. Glode, PharmD, BCOP, FHOPA
Health Systems Oncology Medical Affairs Director
Merck & Co., Inc.
Aurora, CO

Michael Vozniak, PharmD, BCOP, FHOPA
Scientific Director Medical Affairs
Merck & Co., Inc.
Ambler, PA

Attending HOPA’s Annual Conference this past March in person was exciting and energizing! It was great to re-connect with so many colleagues I have not seen or engaged with since Tampa in 2020. Over the two years, one would hear about people making a transition to work in the pharmaceutical industry, but it wasn’t until seeing and networking with people at the Annual Conference that I realized it was a huge trend. Due to the immense volume of cancer research and corresponding development of novel agents and combinations aiming to improve outcomes, oncology pharmacists are exposed to the pharmaceutical industry and the work pharmacists in industry perform. Roles for pharmacists in industry are varied and not contained within one department. Opportunities exist within clinical trial development, drug safety, regulatory affairs, medical affairs, medical writing, corporate education, marketing and sales, to name a few, and may vary based upon the size and scope of the pharmaceutical company. It is not surprising that experienced and highly trained oncology pharmacists are attractive applicants for pharmaceutical industry positions.

In this article, Ashley Glode who made a transition to industry in the past year and I reflect on our careers and our transitions to industry. We hope that our journeys help you, as you consider your next career steps.

What inspired you to specialize in oncology pharmacy?
Glode: I fell in love with oncology as a pharmacy student at Duquesne University. The advancements in pharmaceuticals and need to be a lifelong learner to keep up with the evolving treatment landscape has kept my passion alive. Now I get to work for a company bringing new treatment options to cancer patients and enjoy being on the cutting-edge learning about new potential options.

Vozniak: I was fortunate to have very engaging and dynamic oncology professors at the University of Pittsburgh. While the curriculum was tough, they instilled the excitement and challenges of working in oncology. During PGY1 residency, I was drawn to complex and acutely ill patients and enjoyed not only oncology but also infectious diseases and critical care. As I looked ahead, it was apparent there would always be new advancements in oncology therapeutics to keep abreast of. With this in mind, I decided to pursue PGY2 oncology training and have never looked back. During my PGY2 training, my passion for oncology grew as I observed how the role of the pharmacist was valued by the patient care team and the impact a pharmacist can have on many aspects of patient care.

What was your career path prior to transitioning into pharmaceutical industry?
Glode: Following my PGY2 residency, I knew I wanted to find a position that would combine my interests of oncology, research, critical care, and infectious disease. My first job was as the inpatient hematology/stem cell transplant clinical pharmacy specialist at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC). In this role I had a joint faculty appointment at the SC College of Pharmacy/ MUSC College of Pharmacy, was the residency program director for the PGY2 oncology residency, and preceptor to numerous pharmacy residents and students. After 5 years at MUSC working with so many trainees, my passion for teaching led me to a faculty position at the University of Colorado School of Pharmacy with a joint appointment in the Phase I/GI/Head and Neck/Sarcoma multidisciplinary clinic at the University of Colorado Cancer Center. I spent 7 years in this position developing my teaching skills and expanding my knowledge base in clinical trials and solid tumors. In the clinic I was able to collaborate with world renowned providers on improving patient care and various research projects.

Vozniak: Upon completing PGY2 residency, my first job was as an oncology clinical pharmacy specialist at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. During my 9 years in this role, I spent time covering gynecologic oncology, medical oncology, and hematology/oncology including stem cell transplant. To this day, I tell people that this was the coolest and most demanding job that I have ever had. I worked with some of the brightest people in the world and it made me want to do the absolute best I could for our patients and our medical team. I was involved in the customary responsibilities of the role such as formulary review, guideline development and precepting. I then transitioned to be an Associate Director of Pharmacy and helped to oversee our department’s pharmacy practice model. I served as a people manager for the first time and helped to manage over 100 pharmacists. This role helped me see the bigger picture of our department and health-system as our multi-hospital system began to streamline across several areas.

What prompted your career transition into pharmaceutical industry?
Glode: After having a fruitful career at MUSC and the University of Colorado and being able to accomplish many of my career goals, I was itching for a new challenge. I had always thought my career would transition to an industry position at some point, but I wasn’t sure how and when. Feelings of burnout and the pandemic led me to write a pro/con list of staying in my current role vs. making a career change. Not having as much connection with my students, colleagues, and patients, I found myself feeling less fulfilled and began seriously evaluating my career and my identity. I felt isolated and frustrated by things out of my control and was no longer the passionate oncology pharmacist I had once been, or the role model I wanted to be for students and residents. In September, my former colleague had reached out and encouraged me to apply for an opening at Merck in my region. I wasn’t sure in the moment and thought about it for several days before submitting my application. When meeting some members of my team and learning more about the position during the interview process, my excitement grew, and I felt like I had found my “pharmily." I loved the unique aspects of this specific role and the ability to blend my passions of lifelong learning, teaching others, and improving patient care and access to treatment. It felt right in my gut, and the pros outweighed the cons on my list, so I made the leap, and I am very happy I did.

Vozniak: During my time as Associate Director of Pharmacy, I served as HOPA President, and I began to have routine engagement with pharmaceutical industry personnel. I recalled a message a mentor once shared- when you volunteer your time and efforts, be sure that you get something out of the experience; you should grow from it as well. So, I began to ask questions about the roles for oncology pharmacists in industry. This coincided with a time when I was looking ahead and considering my next possible steps in academic pharmacy. I realized that I didn’t want to be a Director of Pharmacy and I should consider a different career path. My growing knowledge about roles in industry and networking connected me to available positions in industry and I found a good match to make the jump.

What do your day-to-day activities look like in your new role?
Glode: As a Health Systems Oncology Medical Affairs Director I provide the most up to date information from major congresses and publications to decision makers and payors, so they have what they need to make treatment access/formulary decisions. I attend regional and national conferences to gather insights on practice and opinions from thought leaders in my territory and across the nation.

Vozniak: I collaborate with several departments in our company to keep informed of updates to both our company products and key competitor products to develop and update our strategy for our field-based team. I share key insights from our field team with internal colleagues to keep them informed of thought leader opinions and reactions.

What advice would you give someone looking to make a change into pharmaceutical industry?
Glode: Whether you are a recent graduate, or an experienced pharmacist, keep in mind these few tips: 1) If you’re unsure you’re ready to make the change into pharmaceutical industry, do not hesitate to apply for a position you are interested in and interview to learn more. 2) If you know you are ready to make the change, networking is key to your success. Don’t be afraid to let your close friends and colleagues know you are interested and use those connections. 3) Everyone’s path is unique, and things happen for a reason. If it is meant to be, it will happen. Just hang in there and use your network to support you on this journey.

Vozniak: Networking helps- oncology pharmacy is a small world and so is industry pharmacy. Getting your foot in the door is tough, but once you get in, it is easier to navigate to other roles within the company. Be willing to take on a job that you think you may be overqualified for. Finally, it can take time. Be patient and continue to build your network in the industry space.

We are employees of Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA, but we are not speaking today on behalf of the company, the opinions or perspective included or expressed throughout this presentation/discussion are our own and do not represent the opinions or perspective of our employer.