Virtual Case Study - The Diversity Drug: And Why Everyone Needs a Dose
Virtual Case Study - The Diversity Drug: And Why Everyone Needs a Dose
Originally recorded Wednesday, June 21 | 2:00 PM - 2:30 PM CST
About the case study
It’s no secret. All patients do not have the same access to therapies and/or benefit from medical innovations resulting in huge disparities in health care for underserved and underrepresented populations. One way this can be addressed is by optimizing clinical trial site operations in underserved communities where awareness and participation is low. However, we sometimes avoid the tough question of “why” there are low participation rates in clinical trials, especially amongst people of color. It is important to look at the bigger picture and better understand core participation motivators and barriers from the perspective of these populations to improve access and participation in clinical trials. Beyond Good Medicine (BGM) is a team of dedicated and community-focused Astellas employees devoted to increasing diversity in clinical trials through education, advocacy and access. We believe that the greatest impact starts with challenging ourselves to address issues with profound effects on our industry and society. BGM aspires to highlight and combat a unique set of challenges that include language barriers, concerns about immigration status and various cultural views on health care. Based on these unique challenges, our approach aims to: 1) Improving clinical trial access and efficiencies for currently overlooked trial sites 2) Better understanding the voice of the patient and 3) preparing future investigators to lead sites in underserved communities, starting with HBCU (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) Medical Schools.
Distinguished Speakers
Ms. Sand'Eria Lewis
Director, Operational and Commercial Excellence, Astellas Pharma US, Inc.
Sand’Eria Lewis leverages her faith to be of service to others helping create positive change, driving productivity, promoting value, and advocating to help increase equality, hope, and pride in her circle of loved ones and community. Sand’Eria is currently the Director of Operational and Commercial Excellence for US Commercial at Astellas. Previously, she was the Associate Director, Medical Operations Excellence providing leadership support of all MA, US business and strategic objectives. Sand’Eria was responsible for operational planning, business analytics, event organization, and the development of MA, US digital strategies, tools and system administration. As a member of the Operations Leadership Team, Sand’Eria served as principal lead in the execution of development, culture, and engagement initiatives. Sand’Eria serves as a change agent leading a sub-team to drive optimization of the project/product portfolio working in partnership with brand launch teams, in-line brand teams, and all appropriate cross-functional colleagues to accelerate strategies, capabilities, and infrastructure to optimize ongoing commercialization capabilities across the organization. She has been awarded several healthcare industry awards such as the President’s Award, Peak Performer and Rising Star. She also participated in the prestigious Duke Leadership Academy - Senior Leadership Series for high-potential future leaders in pharma. Sand’Eria served as the Chair for Stellar Women Employee Impact Group (SWEIG) – where she was also presented the 2022 Global Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association Rising Star award. Sand’Eria leverages her expertise in culture and engagement through her active volunteerism and service leadership of community projects. She mentors high school students and advocates for the increased support of military service men and women. Sand’Eria earned her nursing certificate while serving in the world’s finest US Navy and attained her Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Art History and History from Barat College of DePaul University. Sand’Eria enjoys all things outdoors including hiking and running. Volunteers as a museum docent and enjoys designing interiors/exteriors for her courageous friends and family members. But in her spare time, her most precious of experiences is spending time with her husband and being a boy mom of two – maybe three if you count her teddy bear (dog).
Dr. Valencia Wilson, PharmD, MBA
Director in Medical Intelligence and Patient Insights, Astellas Pharma US, Inc.
Dr. Valencia Wilson is an energetic, solutions-driven, performance-focused professional with over 23 years in healthcare. She is a Director in Medical Intelligence and Patient Insights at Astellas Pharma USA. Valencia is proficient in process optimization, international business, quality assurance, and marketing. Previously, she worked in areas including public policy reform related to the Affordable Care Act and Quality and at facilities in San Francisco, NY, the UK, Hong Kong, and Ireland. She has also worked in medical devices, retail pharmacy, and hospital health systems. For Valencia, work is personal, and advocacy is at her core. Her passion for health equity and diversity in clinical trials reigns, beginning with her time as a clinical trial investigator. Valencia graduated magna cum laude with a Doctor of Pharmacy from Florida A&M University and completed her clinical experience at the University of Miami. She also has her MBA from the University of Illinois, with a double concentration in International Business and Marketing. She is an active member of the Links, Inc and is on the regional leadership team of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Valencia is a member of the Illinois Perinatal Quality Collaborative, Healthcare Businesswomen's Association, and on the Board of Directors for Leadership Illinois, a non-profit organization of diverse accomplished women from all sectors of society to be a catalyst for positive change. She is a 2022 graduate of the Women in Bio 3.8 Board Readiness program, and she is a former four-term Board Member of the YWCA of Lake County. In her spare time, Valencia enjoys golfing, skiing, traveling, and all water sports. She has completed the Chicago Marathon and has a Black Belt in karate. But her favorite time is spent with her 20-month old daughter, Campbell.
Case Study Leaders
Ms. Sand'Eria Lewis
Director, Operational and Commercial Excellence, Astellas Pharma US, Inc.
Dr. Valencia Wilson, PharmD, MBA
Director in Medical Intelligence and Patient Insights, Astellas Pharma US, Inc.
Joseph Gaspero is the CEO and Co-Founder of CHI. He is a healthcare executive, strategist, and researcher. He co-founded CHI in 2009 to be an independent, objective, and interdisciplinary research and education institute for healthcare. Joseph leads CHI’s research and education initiatives focusing on including patient-driven healthcare, patient engagement, clinical trials, drug pricing, and other pressing healthcare issues. He sets and executes CHI’s strategy, devises marketing tactics, leads fundraising efforts, and manages CHI’s Management team. Joseph is passionate and committed to making healthcare and our world a better place. His leadership stems from a wide array of experiences, including founding and operating several non-profit and for-profit organizations, serving in the U.S. Air Force in support of 2 foreign wars, and deriving expertise from time spent in industries such as healthcare, financial services, and marketing. Joseph’s skills include strategy, management, entrepreneurship, healthcare, clinical trials, diversity & inclusion, life sciences, research, marketing, and finance. He has lived in six countries, traveled to over 30 more, and speaks 3 languages, all which help him view business strategy through the prism of a global, interconnected 21st century. Joseph has a B.S. in Finance from the University of Illinois at Chicago. When he’s not immersed in his work at CHI, he spends his time snowboarding backcountry, skydiving, mountain biking, volunteering, engaging in MMA, and rock climbing.