December 2021 FOCM | GLSA Networking Event

Clinical Research Networking Event: December 2021 Year-End Recap

The clinical research networking event hosted by Global Life Sciences Alliance (GLSA) and FOCM on December 15 marked our year-end gathering for the drug and medical device development community. Unlike most of our monthly events, this session had no formal speaker or topic and instead focused on reflection, connection, and conversation.

To keep things interactive, everyone remained in one room and took turns answering a series of light but meaningful questions. Attendees shared one positive or memorable moment from 2021 and discussed what they were hopeful for in 2022.

Several participants reflected on navigating COVID over the past year. While some had experienced illness, there was collective gratitude that no one reported severe outcomes or loss within their immediate families. At the same time, optimism for 2022 was cautious as the Omicron variant continued to drive rising case counts. It was also noted that the January J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference would again be held virtually. Notably, during the week of this event, Pfizer’s oral antiviral treatment for COVID received FDA approval.

Michael Young shared a personal highlight from 2021—the birth of his first grandson, Oliver Kiesing Miller. Looking ahead, Michael hopes to complete the first draft of a book on branding in 2022. He also echoed a sentiment shared by many: the desire to reconnect in person with clients, colleagues, and friends as live conferences return.

Ires Alliston announced plans for the Female Expert Coaches Summit, scheduled for May 9–11 in Daytona Beach, Florida, and invited attendees to learn more about the upcoming event (https://femceosummit.com/).

What Everyone’s Watching

The conversation also turned to favorite movies and TV shows, including:

• You

• The Unforgivable

• Get Back

• Curb Your Enthusiasm

• Giri/Haji

• Yellowstone

A Surprise Hobby and a Musical Close

An unexpected topic emerged when Nadia Bracken shared her new hobby of collecting fountain pens. This sparked a fun discussion about the psychology behind collecting and introversion (https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/topic/136590-pen-personality/), with attendees exchanging articles and personal anecdotes. Another article on the topic is: https://www.inkedhappiness.com/fountain-pen-collecting-the-psychology-behind-my-madness/

As the event wrapped up and attendance thinned, two memorable moments closed the evening:

• Dan Weddle performed a song on guitar

• Michael Young joined later and shared photos of his grandson

We look forward to continuing the conversation in the new year. Please join us for our next event on January 19.

Attendees

(Bold indicates first-time attendees)

• Kevin Boos, Rho

• Brian Horan, SupplyRx

• Wessam Sonbol, Delve Health

• Michael W. Young, biomedwoRx: Life Sciences Consulting

• Ires Alliston, Business Coach, Consulting & Marketing

• Chris Bergey, Humphries Insurance Agency

• Nadia Bracken, Medidata

• Dan Weddle, AltaSciences

• Mike O’Gorman, Life Science Marketplace

• Patrick Champoux, SkillPad

• Maria Frane, Simbec-Orion

• Sara Tylosky, Farmacon

• Brennan Munley, Rho

• Chris Matheus, Global Life Sciences Alliance & FOCM

• Denise McNerney, Global Life Sciences Alliance

• Joe Buser, Global Life Sciences Alliance

• Zulma Varela, Global Life Sciences Alliance

• Sally Haller, Global Life Sciences Alliance

Photo collection from the event is included below.

Industry Professionals

Dan Weddle performing an original song

 

Oliver Kiesing Miller, grandson of Michael Young