Summer Intern Perspectives: Jenoy Merchant, AMCP Foundation/Pfizer, Inc. Managed Care Oncology Intern
Published October 2021
This summer, I had the privilege of indulging in an unparalleled experience at Humana as the AMCP Foundation/Pfizer, Inc. Managed Care Oncology Summer Intern. I was fortunate to work with preceptors Amy Bryk, PharmD, BCOP, clinical pharmacist lead, Hematology/Oncology Pipeline Forecasting at Humana, and Anna Brown, PharmD, BCOP, clinical pharmacist lead, Specialty Programs for Oncology at Humana. Tom Wolfe, PharmD, field medical director at Pfizer, was equally supportive throughout the internship. I am incredibly appreciative of the support, mentorship, and encouragement from everyone who helped to facilitate my personal and professional development.
During this internship, I was able to explore and participate in a plethora of unique experiences. I learned about the intricacies of the prior authorization process, modeling, and forecasting of pipeline drugs and presented at various meetings. I also conducted a clinical review for a step-therapy, which I presented at a monthly P&T meeting. The pinnacle of my internship was a capstone project that highlights pertinent advancements in the evolving oncology landscape. My project culminated in the creation of a poster presented at AMCP Nexus 2021.
Beyond the scope of my experiences at Humana, I participated in weekly educational sessions hosted by AMCP Foundation. The educational sessions were pivotal in enhancing my understanding of managed care. The weekly sessions explored socioeconomic barriers, drug development, and the multifaceted nature of managed care and managed care organizations. Additionally, I participated in weekly Pfizer sessions, which allowed me to explore and gain insight from the pharmaceutical industry's perspective. The one-on-one sessions coordinated with various members of the Pfizer team were beneficial in learning about their roles and career trajectories. The tips and advice I received from everyone were instrumental in helping to shape my professional outlook!
I owe a depth of gratitude to everyone that continually supported me throughout this internship experience. Drs. Amy Bryk and Anna Brown created an inclusive and welcoming environment and helped to nurture my personal and professional growth. In addition to my preceptors, Dr. Vicky Brown has been an integral part of my capstone project. I appreciate the support of Debbie Meyer, who played a pivotal role in my internship experience and helped me develop my personal brand. I would also like to thank Dr. Tom Wolfe and his team for their support and insight into the pharmaceutical industry. Special thanks to my virtual preceptor, Dr. Vivien Chan, who was an excellent resource for my capstone project and overall internship. Huge thanks to the rest of the Humana and Pfizer teams for creating an invaluable experience. Finally, I must thank Ebony Clay and Paula Eichenbrenner from AMCP Foundation for their dedicated efforts in ensuring this program is a success.
This phenomenal experience is essential to my understanding of managed care and my enhanced understanding of the pharmaceutical industry. I am now poised to explore these functional areas further as I embark on my post-graduate endeavors.