Arti Garrick
1. Please give an overview of your role at HEOR?
As the Head of Medical Writing at HEOR, I oversee excellence in medical writing and value communication, with the ultimate aim of benefitting patient care through the availability and eventual uptake of new and innovative medicines and technologies.
Key responsibilities centre around functional team management and leadership including team resourcing, talent planning, training and development, business development and strategic planning, alongside supporting the team with project delivery and
management of research.
2. What first attracted you to work in this field?
I have always had an interest in scientific research. I chose my undergraduate degree in molecular genetics as I had a strong interest in understanding disease processes and how some individuals are affected by some diseases, and others are not. I continued to pursue my interest in research to post-graduate level and completed a PhD in molecular immunology and virology, researching the ways viruses avoid detection by immune cells. After completing my PhD, I was looking for an opportunity that would allow me to use my knowledge and communication skills in a way that would have real meaning and impact. That naturally led me into medical writing, and I initially joined HEOR as a junior medical writer more years ago than I care to admit.
3. What motivated you to join HEOR?
While I really enjoyed working in a research environment, I enjoyed the communication of my research much more than the day to day of working in a laboratory. Medical writing seemed like a natural sidestep based on my experiences, and what attracted me most to HEOR was that it felt like I could keep one foot in the research environment and still feel like I was still at the cutting edge of research. Some of the technologies that we support are truly innovative, and I enjoy being a small part in the very big machine that gets these products to market, ultimately to the benefit of patients and their caregivers.
4. What is your greatest achievement at work since
joining HEOR?
Oh gosh, I feel I have so many great achievements in my time at HEOR. If I were to pick one, I think it would be the satisfaction I get from leading the medical writing team and seeing them achieve in their roles.
5. How do you think your team works best for the client?
As a value communication team, we provide a combination of intelligent writing with creative design to deliver meaningful value to our clients. Our medical writing and editorial teams collaborate closely with all functional teams at HEOR to develop clear, concise narratives and translate complex data into simple, compelling evidence-based messaging tailored to the target audience. While our graphic design team further enhances our deliverables by developing engaging graphics that provide clarity and facilitate understanding, with a focus on quality and visual impact.
6. How would you best describe the HEOR culture?
Supportive, inclusive and collaborative.
7. How would you describe what you do, to people who
may not have heard of market access / HEOR sector?
As a medical writer, I explain my role as taking complex information and communicating it in a way that is engaging and informative. In terms of a sector, I would describe us as supporting our clients in getting new and innovative treatments and technologies to market and to the ultimate benefit of patients.
8. What is your favourite thing to do when you’re
not working?
I’m fortunate enough to live in Cardiff, which is not far away from some amazing coastlines and scenery in the Brecon Beacons, so I like nothing more than to take advantage of that and head out for a walk with friends or family – provided it ends up in a pub of course!
9. What’s your favourite famous or inspirational quote?
As much as I do not want to quote my father, as it will give him too much satisfaction, I always remember him using the adage ‘Fail to prepare, then prepare to fail’, and I do think it’s true, as you get out of life, and out of work, what you put into it.