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?
Having spent over 10 years in academia, doing a PhD, followed by post-doctoral research in oncology and neurosciences, and subsequently a teaching and research lectureship in biomedical sciences, I realised that I was unlikely to make a lasting impact on patients’ lives as a bench scientist and a lecturer. Subsequently, I went on the search for a career where I believed I could make a real difference to patients, while still using the writing and communication skills and disease knowledge that I had developed through my academic career. This is when I discovered medical writing and the varied types of projects involved, and I was hooked.
3. What made HEOR stand out when you were exploring your next move?
I was looking for a different challenge and a role that had the potential to have a real impact on patients’ lives when I came across a post at HEOR for a medical writer to specialise in health technology assessments. This really piqued my interest, as I could see the real potential to help patients get access to life-changing medicines. I was in a secure academic position, and the role really needed to fit with my personal ethos for me to make the leap. Having talked to Phil McEwan (CEO), I got a really good feel for the company and the culture really resonated with me, so I decided to take that jump.
4. Of everything you’ve done at HEOR so far, what are you most proud of?
It is not my greatest achievement per se, but working as part of a cross-functional team with a common goal to get multiple new drugs successfully reimbursed by the UK and Ireland HTA bodies really gives me a huge amount of satisfaction. Linked to this, which is perhaps the most gratifying thing I’ve done since joining HEOR, is mentoring other medical writers to develop their skills and see them flourish.
5. What’s key to your team’s success?
We listen, ask questions, understand, and deliver quality materials that address the client’s needs. Just as importantly, we work as a team, sharing our knowledge, ideas, and experience with each other to ensure we can deliver the best for our clients.
6. HEOR is proud of its culture – how would you describe it?
Inclusive, supportive, collaborative, and non-political.
7. How would you describe to family and friends what HEOR does?
As a medical writer, I usually explain my role as helping our clients communicate complex information in a way that is engaging and informative for their target audience, with the ultimate goal of helping people with a wide array of conditions gain access to, and benefit from, new and innovative treatments.
8. What is your favourite way to recharge when you’re not at work?
There is not one thing, there are very many. I love to do cross stitch, dressmaking, and gardening. I also love to spend time with family, friends, and our dogs, which may also include delicious food, beautiful scenery, or a good board game!
“I have no special talent. I am only passionately curious.”
– Albert Einstein