Amelia Jones |
1. Tell us about your role and day-to-day at HEOR
As a senior medical writer in the value communication team, I am involved with a wide variety of projects from health technology assessments to conference abstracts – leading the development of documents to help our clients clearly convey what they need to communicate to their specific audience. I am also involved in developing and delivering internal training within the medical writing team.
2. What initially sparked your interest in this field?
I have always been drawn to research, driven by a desire of understanding complex diseases and wanting to contribute to the development of new therapeutic approaches. After a few years in academia, I felt something was missing: I wanted to take an active part in making new therapies more easily accessible to patients. When I heard I could make that happen by becoming a medical writer and consultant in the market access space, I did not think twice.
3. What made HEOR stand out when you were exploring your next move?
Whenever somebody asks me this question my answer is “It was love at first sight!” and indeed, from the very first moment I spoke to our value communication directors – at the interview – I knew that joining HEOR would mean working side by side with like-minded professionals, in a thriving environment that would support personal development and open communication. I was not wrong.
4. Of everything you’ve done at HEOR so far, what are you most proud of?
I feel I’ve been driving many exciting projects and initiatives since joining HEOR, but what I’m most proud of is having contributed to creating a supportive and stimulating environment for junior medical writers and seeing how they have developed and succeeded in their roles.
5. What’s key to your team’s success?
I think what really differentiates our team is that we are not just effective communicators, we’re also great listeners. Whenever approaching a new project, we seek to understand the needs and challenges of our clients and build a partnership based on clear communication and trust. This allows us to design effective and efficient solutions that truly support their strategic goals.
6. HEOR is proud of its culture – how would you describe it?
Dynamic, collaborative, creative, but above all, professional and supportive.
7. How would you describe to family and friends what HEOR does?
After the usual five-second mental block, I try to explain my job as interpreting and communicating clinical and economic evidence to different audiences, including clinicians, health authorities, and payers, so that new therapies can be evaluated and ultimately made available to patients.
8. What is your favourite way to recharge when you’re not at work?
I’m a very active person. I love dancing – especially salsa and bachata – but I also enjoy nature, and I have a passion for canyoning. When seeking some quiet time, I take pleasure in cooking for my family and closest friends.
“Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever’.”
– Mahatma Gandhi