The Medical Science Liaison: An A to Z Guide

The Medical Science Liaison (MSL) role was recently reported as one of the best jobs over six figures for healthcare professionals, yet is relatively unknown, even to the medical community. What is a medical science liaison, and what do they do? In this comprehensive must-have guide to the role, the functions of the role of MSL are explored, along with interviews with several MSLs, those that work around them, and most importantly, the customers of the MSL, academic thought leaders. Every healthcare professional, from a pharmacist, to a PhD, to a MD should learn more about one of the greatest jobs that blend business with technical and scientific acumen.

Erin Albert, MBA, PharmD is owner of two companies (Pharm, LLC and Yuspie, LLC). She is also the Director of the Ribordy Center for Community Practice at Butler University in the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, and is an Assistant Professor. She has worked in several industry and other practice settings including: retail pharmacy, clinical research operations, consulting, drug safety & epidemiology, medical affairs, and pharmaceutical brand/marketing. Dr. Albert obtained her BS in pharmacy from Butler University, her MBA in Marketing from Concordia University Wisconsin, and her Doctorate of Pharmacy (PharmD) from Shenandoah University. She has also worked as a MSL for several small, medium and large pharmaceutical companies as a medical science liaison. More information on the medical science liaison can be found on her company's website, www.pharmllc.com. Cathleen Sass, ASRT, MBA, PharmD has over 30 years experience in healthcare including more than 10 years as a MSL. She has worked for several pharmaceutical companies, both large and small, in numerous therapeutic areas.

Introduction: The History of the MSL - Interview: Stan Bernard, MD, MBA Part I: Becoming a MSL 1. What is a MSL? - Interview: Ernie Pitting, RPh, MS, PharmD candidate 2. Activities, Salary, Job Satisfaction and Career Paths of the MSL - Interview: Chris Conley, CSAM 3. Getting Hired - Interview: Tony Beachler Part II: Perfecting the Art of Liaising 4. Starting off as a MSL - Interview: Christopher Hall, Esq. - Interview: Michael Hamann, PhD 5. Customers' Viewpoints - Interview: Chris Bojrab, MD - Interview: Ron Chervin, MD, MS - Interview: James Simon, MD, CCD, FACOG - Interview: Paul Keck, MD 6. Research & Technology - Interview: LouAnn Fare, MS - Interview: Amy Peak, PharmD - Interview: Michael Taylor 7. Work + Life = Balance? - Interview: Tim Hill, PharmD, MS - Interview: Carole Carter-Olkowski Part III: Post-MSL - What's Next? 8. Job-hopping - Interview: Bryan Vaughn 9. Management of MSLs - Interview: Susan Malecha, PharmD, MBA - Interview: Kyle Kennedy 10. The Afterlife - Interview: Scott Stolte, PharmD - Interview: Jane Chin, PhD - Interview: Matt Lewis, MPA 11. The Future of the MSL Role - Interview: Brian Best - Interview: Stan Bernard, MD, MBA Appendix A: Major Medical Associations/Meetings for Therapeutic Areas Appendix B: Ten Real World Sample MSL Career Paths Appendix C: Acronyms & Abbreviations Bibliography Acknowledgements