Leaders in Pharmaceutical Business Intelligence (LPBI) Group

Gail S. Thornton, PhD(c),  Contributing Editor, Author and Medical Writer

Roles @ Leaders in Pharmaceutical Business Intelligence (LPBI) Group

 

1.     Contributing Editor & Author

Series E: Patient-Centered Medicine

Series Content Consultant: Larry H Bernstein, MD, FCAP

 

2.     Author, Curator and Reporter

• Big data
• Conference coverage with social media
• Digital health care – biotech and internet joint ventures
• Global partnering and biotech investment
• Interviews with scientific leaders
• International global work in pharmaceuticals
• Leadership, power, social interlocking connections
• Patient experience
• Patient’s voice
• Personalized and precision medicine & genomic research
• Scientific and biotech conferences: press coverage
• Stem cells for regenerative medicine

 

Gail S. Thornton, PhD(c)

Chester, New Jersey 07930

908-879-9295 (Home) 908-392-3420 (Mobile)

gailsthornton@yahoo.com; gst@worldviewcomms.com

 

GLOBAL COMMUNICATIONS / PUBLIC RELATIONS / EMERGING MARKETS

Accomplished communications executive with global experience in pharmaceuticals/health care, biotechnology, information technology, nutritionals, medical devices and veterinary medicine.

• Trusted adviser to business partners and C-suite executives;
• Strategic, collaborative and outcomes-oriented leader;
• Consistent producer of results that further strategic objectives, engage stakeholders and strengthen company and brand reputation; and
• Proven expertise in up-leveling global communications functions, creating high-performing global teams, and leading cultural change.

Demonstrated track record in managing U.S. and international communications, corporate and franchise public relations, media relations, employee communications, issues management and industry analyst relations. Develops communications programs for executives, products and brands, partnerships, business units, events, issues and employees. Experience in recruiting and developing talent globally and is skilled at building and cultivating a network of global media.

 

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

 

WORLDVIEW COMMUNICATIONS (www.worldviewcomms.com), Global Communications Consultant, Chester, New Jersey ∙ January 2012 – Present

Global communications consultancy which partners with clients in pharmaceuticals/health care, biotechnology, information technology and veterinary medicine to develop strategic communications in support of business expansion in the U.S., Europe, Latin America and Asia.

 

MERCK, Whitehouse Station, New Jersey ∙ February 2010 – December 2011

Vice President/Head of Emerging Markets Communications

Led the planning and execution of internal and external communications for Merck’s Emerging Markets geographies.

 

SCHERING-PLOUGH CORPORATION, Kenilworth, New Jersey ∙ April 2004 – January 2010

(Acquired by Merck)

Vice President, International Communications

Developed model for effective communications (company image, internal communications, issues management, product communications) in all international countries.

 

PFIZER INC. , Peapack, New Jersey ∙ April 2003 – March 2004

(Acquired Pharmacia Corporation)

Senior Director, Public Relations & Advocacy Development

Created product public relations and advocacy development function within neuroscience portfolio.

 

PHARMACIA CORPORATION, Peapack, New Jersey ∙ February 1999 – April 2003

Senior Director, Public Relations & Advocacy Development

Developed model for effective communications for product communications in Europe, Middle East, Africa & Canada (EMEA/Canada) from June 2001 to April 2003.

Managed worldwide product publicity for company’s arthritis/pain, cardiovascular, central nervous system, overactive bladder and diabetes therapeutic areas that reflected and supported core marketing objectives from February 1999 – June 2001.

 

MANAGEMENT CONSULTANT, Montclair, New Jersey ∙ 1998 – 1999 – four-month period

Served as management consultant in product and international public relations. Clients included Pharmacia & Upjohn, Dynamic Database Support Systems (information technology).

 

BRISTOL-MYERS SQUIBB COMPANY, Princeton, New Jersey ∙ 1978 – 1998

Director, Public Affiars (Worldwide Product, International Image)

Managed worldwide product publicity for company’s cardiovascular, central nervous system

and anti-infectives therapeutic areas that reflected and supported core marketing objectives.

• Created international campaign to elevate company image and reputation among its four core businesses with worldwide business, scientific, consumer and trade media and stakeholders.

• Designed and implemented employee communications strategies and programs for merged companies (Bristol-Myers and Squibb employees).

 

Published Articles

• Contributing blogger to The Huffington Post (2015).
• Book chapter, “Internal Communications Fluorishes at the Grassroots: The Growing Importance of Managers in Employee Engagement,” published in Portuguese reference book, Essays of Employee Communications: New Approaches for New Challenges, edited by Viviane Mansi, Thatiana Cappellano and Bruno Carramenha, in September 2015 by InHouse, a Brazilian publisher. Edited versions published in The Huffington Post, March 11, 2015, and in the Though Leadership Series of the International Public Relations Association, April 2015.
• “Stakeholder Approach to Meet Significant Unmet Medical Needs of Rare and Orphan Diseases,” June 26, 2014, Global Health Governance online scholarly journal.
• Introduction on Role of Emerging Markets, Fall 2011, Journal of International Relations and Diplomacy.
• “Effective Global Public Relations: Gearing Up For Change,” Fall 2010, PR Strategist [quoted].
• “Relationship-Building for Global Stakeholder Engagement,” February 2010, Frontline Magazine of the International Public Relations Association (IPRA).
• “PR Can Be An Agent of Change,” October 2008, Bulldog Reporter.
• “Getting the Right Overseas PR Partner,” March 2004, Frontline Magazine of IPRA.
• “Pharmacia Takes It Global,” April 2003 Supplement to Pharmaceutical Executive Magazine, pp. 6-9.

 

Professional Associations

• Member of the Board of Overseers, Seton Hall University Whitehead School of Diplomacy and International Relations (2007 to present).
• Served three-year term on Seton Hall Alumni Board of Directors (2007-2010).
• Created media panel and drove attendance at ExL Pharma Communications Conference (July 2012) in New Jersey and co-chaired conference (April 2009) in Berlin.
• Served 11 years on Public Relations Society of America/International Section: co-chair of Section in 1999, executive committee responsible for planning teleseminars, sponsorships and fundraising, including an international public policy symposium (2003) at the United Nations.
• Member of Foreign Press Association.
• Member of International Association of Business Communicators; Women in Communications.

 

Professional Recognition

• Awarded 2007 Distinguished Alumna Service Award for Leadership from The John C. Whitehead School of Diplomacy and International Relations at Seton Hall University.
• Nominated twice for the Atlas Award for Lifetime Achievement in Public Relations by the Public Relations Society of America’s International Section (2006, 2009).
• Received Schering-Plough Asia-Pacific Leadership Award for contribution to the region (2006).
• Received six Schering-Plough internal recognition awards (2004-2007).
• Received five Pharmacia internal recognition awards (1999-2003).
• Lecturer on corporate communications at Rider University (1980s).
• Received Tribute to Women in Industry (TWIN) Achievement Award (1980s).
• Received series of editorial, graphic design, printing awards from 1984–1992.
• Yellow Belt Merck Sigma training (2010); Green Belt Merck Sigma training (2011).

 

Education

Enrolled in Ph.D. program (Health Sciences), Seton Hall University, South Orange, NJ

Anticipated completion in 2018

Seton Hall University, South Orange, New Jersey

M.A. in Diplomacy and International Relations from School of Diplomacy and          International Relations, 2003

Rider University, Lawrenceville, New Jersey

Bachelor of Arts, Journalism, 1978

Dartmouth University

Executive education in business ethics and leadership