Pharmaceutical Market Europe • February 2022 • 46
PEOPLE
Q&A
Fiona McMillan
What gets you out of bed in the morning?
HRT and coffee!
What’s the best thing about working in healthcare comms?
Knowing that I’m part of a team which is focused on driving change, and that when we get it right, we make a significant contribution to improving the lives of patients, who in the case of those living with rare diseases may have limited or no treatment options.
What’s the worst thing about working in healthcare comms?
The regulatory environment we work in sometimes means we have to move forward more slowly or forfeit a particular element of a plan. Having said that, the regulations are there for a very good reason and I’m surrounded by the most supportive regulatory, legal and compliance partners I’ve ever worked with and our resulting actions are better for their input.
What’s your favourite bar or eatery?
The Cibreo Trattoria in Florence. The main Cibreo restaurant is famous but next door is a wonderful little trattoria serving food from the same menu in a much more relaxed setting.
Which buzzwords/office-jargon get on your nerves?
There are so many and even though I find them irritating, it doesn’t mean I don’t use a few (but not these!) myself sometimes. Some of the worst offenders in my book are: don’t boil the ocean, in your wheelhouse and make sure the juice is worth the squeeze!
Which book/film would you recommend above all others and why?
I relate to author Paul Sweeney who said ‘you know you’ve read a good book when you turn the last page and feel a little as if you have lost a friend’. I found it impossible to choose a favourite, but one recent read that made me feel like this is Ben MacIntyre’s A Spy Among Friends.
Which person, living or dead, do you admire the most and why?
I admire people who have been brave enough to stand up for what they believe in and managed to create a movement from the ground up, often facing vitriol along the way. Greta Thunberg (and my kids) has really changed the way I think about the environment and how we live at home.
Who is your healthcare comms hero/heroine?
With the pandemic dominating everything we do this year, my hero has to be Prof Jonathan Van-Tam, the Deputy Chief Medical Officer (also the winner of the 2021 Healthcare Communications Advocate at last year’s Communiqué Awards) who has given us all a lesson in how to do public health communications and become the public’s trusted communicator on COVID in the process.
What has been your career highlight to date?
There have been many but my decision to focus in rare diseases that led to me joining Alnylam is a longer-term highlight because I’ve learnt so much and to top it all off, I get to work in the intimate setting of rare diseases with a quite frankly incredible bunch of patients and patient advocates who keep me truly motivated.
What’s your golden rule/piece of advice for someone starting a career in healthcare comms?
Be curious, ask loads of questions and remember that although there will likely be many setbacks, it’s not the setback itself but your response to those challenges that will shape the way forward and will lead to learning, insights and ultimately positive growth.
Fiona McMillan is Head of Communications (CEMEA) at Alnylam Pharmaceuticals