Women in HEOR: Inspiring the Next Generation of Healthcare Economists and Outcomes Researchers

Barrington James recently partnered with ISPOR Singapore to host Women in HEOR – an inspiring event aimed at empowering women in Health Economics and Outcomes Research (HEOR). Held in Singapore, this fireside chat provided a unique opportunity for aspiring and established HEOR professionals to gain insights from leaders across academia, public service, industry, and consulting, creating an invaluable space for growth, connection, and empowerment.

A Stellar Panel of Accomplished HEOR Leaders

At the heart of Women in HEOR was an exceptional panel of speakers, each bringing a wealth of experience and expertise in the HEOR field:

• Dr. Alice Chu, PhD – Senior Director of Market Access & Medical Affairs, APAC at Glaukos. With her extensive background in market access, Dr. Chu provided insights into navigating HEOR within the medical device industry, discussing strategies for overcoming challenges unique to market access in the APAC region.
• Dr. Hsien-Hsien Lei, PhD – Adjunct Associate Professor at the NUS Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health and CEO of The American Chamber of Commerce in Singapore. As a dual academic and industry leader, Dr. Lei shared her experiences straddling both worlds, offering a perspective on the intersections of academia and policy and emphasizing the importance of women’s leadership in shaping healthcare strategies across sectors.
• Dr. Sumitra Shantakumar, PhD – Senior Director of Vaccines Therapy Area Head, Medical Evidence Generation, Greater China & Intercontinental Region, GSK. Dr. Shantakumar discussed her journey in the pharmaceutical industry and shared her expertise in vaccine development, providing a unique look into the role of HEOR in supporting vaccines’ value-based care across global regions.
• Dr. Daphne Khoo – Deputy Director-General of Health (Appropriate and Value-Based Care) at the Ministry of Health, Singapore. With her focus on value-based care, Dr. Khoo provided an invaluable public sector perspective, discussing the importance of HEOR in shaping policies that drive value and efficiency within healthcare systems.

Each of these leaders shared their professional journeys, challenges, and achievements, providing attendees with a comprehensive view of HEOR’s scope and impact across diverse sectors. Their stories illustrated the resilience, adaptability, and expertise required to navigate and succeed in HEOR, offering both practical guidance and inspiration.

Embracing Challenges and Celebrating Successes

The event acknowledged the unique challenges that women face in the HEOR field, including navigating career transitions, managing work-life balance, and addressing gender-related biases. The speakers shared authentic accounts of overcoming these barriers, emphasizing the importance of resilience, adaptability, and community. Through these stories, they highlighted how women in HEOR are shaping industry standards and championing change in both policy and practice.

Practical Takeaways for a Rewarding Career in HEOR

Beyond inspiration, the panel provided actionable advice for both newcomers and seasoned professionals in HEOR. They discussed the importance of developing technical and interpersonal skills, finding or becoming mentors, and networking across global HEOR communities. These insights offered attendees the tools they need to advance and thrive in their careers.

Building the Future of HEOR

By supporting Women in HEOR, Barrington James and ISPOR Singapore reinforced their commitment to diversity, inclusion, and community building in HEOR and the broader healthcare ecosystem. Barrington James is honored to champion such initiatives, believing in the power of diverse voices to drive innovation and meaningful change.

For professionals at any career stage in HEOR, events like Women in HEOR are invaluable opportunities to connect, learn, and be inspired. Barrington James looks forward to supporting and creating more spaces like this, empowering individuals to build impactful, rewarding careers in HEOR.