FROM AN LTEN COMMITTEE
Melissa Lowe, Alison Quinn and Jeff Taylor
The role of field trainer can look very different depending on the company. Full-time trainer or territory responsibilities plus training? Developmental role or more of a career path?
Regardless of the differences, field trainers play a critical role in many companies.
Alison Quinn, Kite Pharma (Co-lead)
Jeff Taylor, Harmony Biosciences (Co-lead)
David Brin, Philips Healthcare
Brenda Chapman, Astellas Pharma US
Amity Cutaia, Astellas Pharma US
India DeArtiaga, Intra-Cellular Therapies
Lara Galaviz, CMR Institute
Monica Gillison, SK Life Science
Amy Lang, Astellas Pharma US
Melissa Lowe, Philips Healthcare
Meera Mehta
Chris Platanos, Alnylam
Erica Sambraus, Novartis
Michael Tomlinson, Eisai
John Williamson, Amgen
Brenda Chapman, Astellas Pharma US (2024)
Amy Lang, Astellas Pharma US (2023)
Mark Schuster, Teva Pharmaceuticals (2023)
Heather Anderson, Alnylam (2022)
Tony Gaulke, Bristol Myers Squibb (2022)
Shawn Nordquist, Alnylam (2021)
Michael Tomlinson, Eisai (2021)
Julie Fassel, AstraZeneca (2020)
Rosa Hanks, CooperSurgical (2020)
The LTEN Field Trainer Committee was created around 2016, with a mission to develop resources and support the development needs of field trainers. The committee works tirelessly to understand the needs of this part of our membership and to curate or create content that will help them excel in their role.
We started by having an annual issue of LTEN Focus on Training magazine dedicated to field training topics, beginning in 2017. As the magazine shifted to monthly publication, the special issue morphed into a large quantity of field-focused articles published throughout the year, giving field trainers more immediate access to the information they need.
Webinars on field topics quickly followed, interspersed throughout the year. In 2024 alone, the Field Trainer Committee presented several webinars focusing on field resources and on the differing roles, responsibilities and strategies used by different companies.
The Field Trainer Committee also plays a large part in shaping the field training content available at the LTEN Annual Conference. A conference track with workshops specifically tailored to the field training role has been a longstanding part of the annual meeting, and the committee ensures workshops are selected that will meet the needs that our membership has asked for through surveys and outreach.
In 2023, field trainers received a special welcome at a meet-and-greet reception. Field Trainer Committee members were available to answer questions and provide a warm welcome to field trainers attending the event. Every year we look to enhance their experience at the annual conference.
Perhaps the proudest achievement — and certainly one of our major focuses — is the annual LTEN Field Trainer Scholarship program. Approved by the LTEN Board of Directors in 2019, our first scholarship winner was named in 2020. Recipients can choose to use the scholarship funds for their registration to the annual meeting or to cover the cost of a certification program through LTEN.
Each year, the Field Trainer Scholarship is awarded to field trainers who have gone above and beyond for their company. Their achievements are highlighted in LTEN Focus on Training magazine, through a webinar and in the poster session at the annual conference.
Scholarship recipients are also invited to join the Field Trainer Committee to help us continue to deliver on our mission.
Applications for this year’s LTEN Field Trainer Scholarships will open soon. You can find more information here. Candidates can self-nominate for the scholarship or be nominated by a manager through our online system. All that is needed is a description of a project that they completed as a field trainer and the impact it had on the organization.
The LTEN Field Trainer Committee is a vibrant, dynamic community of training professionals committed to creating resources and opportunities for field teams. If you have field responsibilities, experience and interest, we’d love to have you join our mission. Feel free to reach out to us or the LTEN team if you’d like to learn more.
Melissa Lowe is director, executive education and leadership development, for Philips Healthcare, a member of the LTEN Board of Directors and a member of the LTEN Field Trainer Committee. Email Melissa at melissa.lowe@philips.com or connect through linkedin.com/in/m-lowe.
Alison Quinn is senior director, U.S. medical affairs learning and leadership development, for Kite Pharma, and co-lead of the LTEN Field Trainer Committee. Email Alison at aquinn@kitepharma.com or connect through linkedin.com/in/alison-quinn-.
Jeff Taylor is senior director, learning and development, for Harmony Biosciences, and co-lead of the LTEN Field Trainer Committee. Email Jeff at jtaylor@harmonybiosciences.com or connect through
linkedin.com/in/jeff-taylor-b1ba6b2.