AbbVie leader takes helm as President of medical affairs association, emphasising optimism fuelled by collaboration

Medical: The Medical Affairs Professionals of Australasia (MAPA) has revealed its newly appointed President and executive committee for 2024. Lauren Pasfield from AbbVie assumes the role of President, while Jodi Tainton from Pfizer steps in as Vice-President.

Ms Pasfield assumed the role of interim President of MAPA after former President Matt Britland stepped down in August 2023 to pursue a venture in running a consultancy business.

Reflecting on this year, Ms Pasfield expressed immense pride in the organisation’s progress in impacting patients’ lives and society at large.

“One of our greatest achievements has been the establishment of a thriving community for medical affairs professionals. Through various forums, such as the summit and panel discussions, we have fostered connections, shared ideas, and encouraged collaboration,” Ms Pasfield told Health Industry Hub.

She continued, “These events have facilitated innovative thinking and equipped our team with the necessary tools to deliver high value to patients and the broader healthcare community. This has supported the evolution of how we operate as medical affairs professionals, and I couldn’t be prouder of the progress we have made.”

At the height of this year’s challenges, Ms Pasfield drew inspiration from a Ted Lasso quote ‘Taking on a challenge is a lot like riding a horse, isn’t it? If you’re comfortable while you’re doing it, you’re probably doing it wrong‘, emphasising the essence of embracing challenges for personal and professional growth.

Looking ahead to the coming year, Ms Pasfield expressed optimism about MAPA’s future.

“The MAPA executive committee is incredibly well-prepared and poised to continue driving the evolution and success of our organisation. Additionally, I find tremendous hope in witnessing the passion and enthusiasm of our members,” she stated, emphasising their collective drive to improve patient outcomes and promote the quality use of medicines.

Moreover, Ms Pasfield acknowledged the transformation of the healthcare ecosystem, saying “The landscape is evolving rapidly, with advancements in technology and medicine offering exciting opportunities for innovation and improved patient care. The increased recognition of the importance of collaboration further fuels my optimism. I firmly believe that with our exceptional team, dedicated members, and the evolving healthcare environment, we are on the path to achieving remarkable outcomes in the coming year.”

MAPA Executive Committee 2024

• President – Lauren Pasfield, AbbVie
• Vice-President – Jodi Tainton, Pfizer
• Treasurer – Marina van der Merwe, PhD
• Secretary – Jan Lewis, AbbVie
• Amit Lalwani, Self-employed
• Bevan Sweerts, Sanofi
• Dan Mellor, Antengene
• Debra Bourke, Mayne Pharma
• Krishan Thiru, Pfizer

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