Awards Season in Bloom

Nothing says a New Year than the Awards season honoring the previous year’s entertainment achievements in the form of Oscars, Golden Globes, Emmys, Grammys, Tonys, and more. Just a mere year ago, TIME magazine offered a comprehensive list of the events on tap. From January through March 2020, the usual celebration timeframe was largely unaffected. But like all industries, this year is proving to be the exception and a moving target. The timeframes have changed, but not the fact they will apparently be in person. The Golden Globes will be held Feb. 21; the Grammys moved from Jan. 31 to March 14; and the Oscars April 25. The Tonys, unfortunately, is still under discussion, with Broadway shuttered since March 12, 2020, and not expected to reopen until Fall 2021.

While we wait for our chance to watch the glamorous dresses and root for our favorites, there are other awards to look forward to. Not to be outdone by the showbiz industry, Pharmaceutical Executive has launched two recognition programs, one a fan favorite and the other in a new entrant category.

Lisa Henderson, Editor-in-Chief

First up, the Pharmaceutical Executive Emerging Pharma Leaders program. Now in its 11th year, up-and-coming leaders—vital to the future of the biopharma industry—are nominated by their peers and chosen by a panel of our Editorial Advisory Board members. The criteria may be considered broad in an industry of talented, smart, and successful individuals; however, we look for those who resumes show a consistent growth trajectory or experience that will take them to C-suite levels. Does one of your colleagues show they can make the tough decisions that will continue to face manufacturers in the coming years? Does your direct report show the ability or promise to navigate the commercial, financial, scientific, R&D, marketing, sales, and/or market access with leadership and inspiration? If you know someone that fits this description, please register to nominate them here. Voting closes Feb. 26.

Next, in a completely new and different twist on healthcare agency and marketing awards, is the Pharmaceutical Executive APEX Awards. If you’re like most marketing professionals in the healthcare industry, you’ve already had your work recognized by many creative peers. But in this debut event, your work will be judged exclusively by the one audience who views and appreciates it daily: healthcare professionals—across 19 specialized categories.

Joining with Pharmaceutical Executive’s parent company, MJH Life Sciences and its legacy healthcare brands that span therapeutic expertise, the award will showcase product/promotional work that is FDA-regulated, as well as disease awareness/general education/wellness work not regulated by FDA. The awards are open now, and feature an early bird deadline of March 15, an entry deadline of April 15, and a late entry deadline of April 30. Finalists will be announced June 15 and Gold winners announced on Sept. 9, during a live event (depending on current pandemic requirements at that time). Please click here to submit your work.

Another important yearly event, the HBA Woman of the Year, will turn to a virtual format in early May. The event has been honoring women across healthcare and life sciences in various roles since 1990, as well as in its 20th year for recognizing a man who demonstrates a long-term commitment to advancing women in the workforce, is dedicated to developing, mentoring and promoting women in the industry, and is supportive of the HBA’s mission. Another change to the programming this year is those executives chosen in 2020 become the honorees for the combined 2020-2021 award. Last April, we featured Sandra Horning, MD, as the HBA Woman of the Year and we plan an update on Dr. Horning’s activities since last year. This April, we will feature the winner of the Honorable Mentor of the Year, Rod MacKenzie, PhD, chief development officer and executive vice president, Pfizer.

Whether virtual or in person, the recognition of those in our industry who continue to exemplify leadership, values, and a spirit of lifting others is always in vogue. Congratulations!

Lisa Henderson is Pharm Exec’s Editor-in-Chief. She can be reached at lhenderson@mjhlifesciences.com.