Nysha Blender
Westfield,IN
Summary
Experienced professional with a comprehensive background in the medical and clinical field. Expertise includes medical and clinical development, investigator-initiated clinical studies, surgical proctoring for registration clinical trials, managed care, internal client support, training, and speaker bureau development. Skilled in educating and collaborating with Eye Care Professionals and managing relationships with Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs) and other key internal and external stakeholders. Recognized as an ophthalmic expert, business leader, and strategist with extensive expertise in corneal endothelial dysfunction, dry eye, glaucoma, refractive surgery, wet macular degeneration, and other ocular diseases. Possess direct clinical experience and proficiency in managing various diseases such as neurological, retinal, corneal, diabetes, glaucoma, pre- and post-operative patient management, and contact lens fitting. Proven track record of implementing operational strategies to drive sales growth and achieve aggressive revenue goals. Achieved a remarkable 38% revenue growth from 2017 to 2018 and an additional 34% growth from 2018 to 2019. Highly skilled in leading doctor-to-doctor meetings to expand clinical practices and enhance vision center operations nationwide. Extensive teaching experience encompassing anatomy, ophthalmic procedures, and direct patient care.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Medical Director
AURION BIOTECH
04.2023 - Current
- Development and implementation of internal and external training curriculums, plans, and procedures
- Collaborate in the development of training materials for clinical trial sites and provide training for both internal and external stakeholders
- Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with KOL’s for and on behalf of Aurion Biotech in all relevant therapeutic areas to establish and promote the company’s reputation and dedication to patients and expertise
- Liaise with Medical Advisory Board members regarding strategic output and priorities
- Maintain expert knowledge and understanding of clinical, scientific, and technical information in ophthalmology through continuous literature reviews and serve as an expert resource to internal colleagues
- Review publication, medical information, and communication strategies in alignment with company’s strategy
- Lead interactions with academic thought leaders, investigators, cooperative groups, and other clinical stakeholders
- Provide clinical support and work with other members of the management team to develop and communicate the overall corporate strategy.
Director, Field Medical Affairs
OCULAR THERAPEUTIX
09.2021 - 04.2023
- Lead/manage four Medical Directors
- Development and execution of medical strategy to support DEXTENZA and pipeline products
- Establish appropriate strategic partnership with centers of excellence, institutions, consultants and KOLs in areas of scientific interest
- Develop educational programs for both internal and external stakeholders as it relates to DEXTENZA and pipeline programs
- Board member of OTX OWL group
- Serve as a medical strategist on standing and project-based cross-functional teams including, but not limited to publication, medical communication, medical information, clinical development, marketing, and regulatory affairs
- Act as a company representative interacting with external scientific leaders, managed care organizations, patient advocacy groups and/or regulatory authorities
- Provide therapeutic expertise in medical review of collaborative study proposals, educational grants and company-sponsored clinical studies.
Medical Director
OCULAR THERAPEUTIX
06.2020 - 09.2021
- Development and execution of field medical strategy to support DEXTENZA and pipeline products
- Dry Eye Disease Lead in medical affairs and clinical development activities pertaining to ocular surface disease
- Retina Lead in medical affairs activities pertaining to the OTX-TKI clinical program
- Establish appropriate strategic partnership with centers of excellence, institutions, consultants and KOLs in areas of scientific interest
- Work closely with CMO, VP U.S Medical Director Team and Director of Medical Affairs to develop and execute the medical affairs strategy, external stakeholder management, and evidence generation
- Continuously help assess the educational needs of the company employees and develop appropriate educational materials to ensure best practice, and up-to-date scientific/medical knowledge across the company
- Onboarded and trained the newest Medical Director
- Serve as a mentor to several employees at OTX
- Serve as a medical representative on standing and project-based cross functional teams including, but not limited to publication, medical communication, medical information, clinical development, marketing, and regulatory affairs
- Act as a company representative interacting with external scientific leaders, managed care organizations, patient advocacy groups and/or regulatory authorities
- Provide therapeutic expertise in medical review of Investigator Initiated Research (IIR) proposals, educational grant and company sponsored clinical studies.
Medical Science Liaison
OCULAR THERAPEUTIX
08.2019 - 06.2020
- Responsible for contributing to the development and execution of field medical strategy to support DEXTENZA
- Involved in medical affairs activities pertaining to dry eye disease and pipeline development
- Establish appropriate strategic partnership with centers of excellence, institutions, consultants and KOLs in areas of scientific interest
- Work closely with CMO, Field Medical Director and Associate Director, Medical Affairs to develop and execute the medical affairs strategy, external stakeholder management, and evidence generation
- Continuously help assess the educational needs of the MSL team and coordinate/deliver appropriate educational materials to ensure best practice, and up-to-date scientific/medical knowledge
- Serve as a medical representative on standing and project-based cross functional teams including, but not limited to publication, medical communication, medical information, clinical development, and regulatory affairs
- Act as a company representative interacting with external scientific leaders, managed care organizations, patient advocacy groups and/or regulatory authorities
- Provide therapeutic expertise in medical review of Investigator Initiated Research (IIR) proposals, educational grant and company sponsored clinical studies.
Center Director/Optometrist Leader
LASIKPLUS
11.2016 - 05.2019
- Determine candidacy for Lasik/PRK
- Manage both pre-operative and post-operative Lasik/PRK patients
- Ranked top three of 125 optometrists consistently in terms of sales performance
- Coach a team of six technicians both in clinical and non-clinical practices
- Develop strategies to increase center performance and facilitate growth while achieving aggressive sales goals
- Achieved 38% revenue growth from 2017 to 2018
- Review patient charts for 25 LasikPlus centers nationwide to determine candidacy concerning enhancements.
Associate Optometrist
MY VISION CALGARY
10.2014 - 09.2015
- Diagnosed, treated, and managed a variety of ocular disease patient's (ages: 6 mo-90+)
- Fit, treated and managed specialty contact lens wearers.
Associate Optometrist
MCIVOR FAMILY EYECARE
01.2012 - 06.2014
- Diagnosed, treated, and managed a variety of primary care patients (ages: 6 mo-90+).
Managing Optometrist
LASIK MD
09.2011 - 06.2014
- Managed both pre- and post-operative Lasik/PRK patients
- Served as attending doctor to certified medical ophthalmic technicians.
Attending/Resident
SUNY COLLEGE OF OPTOMETRY
07.2010 - 07.2011
- Attending doctor to both third year and fourth-year students rotating through the specialty contact lens clinic
- Diagnosed and treated corneal pathology at the New York Eye and Ear Hospital
- Fit, treated, and managed specialty contact lens wearers with RGP's, mini sclerals, orthokeratology and reverse geometry lenses at SUNY.
Education
PHD IN BIOMEDICINE -
Salus University
Elkins Park, PA01.2023
CORNEA AND CL ATTENDING/RESIDENT -
SUNY College of Optometry
New York, NY01.2011
DOCTOR OF OPTOMETRY -
Illinois College of Optometry
Chicago, IL01.2010
BACHELOR OF COMMERCE -
McGill University
Montréal, QC01.2004
Skills
- Communication
- Leadership
- Adaptability
- Time Management
- Organization
- Flexibility
- Cross Functional Leadership
- Clinical Research
- Strategic Planning
Affiliations
- MSL Society
- Women in Ophthalmology
- OWL
- American Optometric Association
- National Optometric Association
- American Academy of Optometry
- Indiana Optometric Association
- Volunteers in Optometric Service to Humanity
Languages
French
Full Professional
Timeline
Senior Medical Director
AURION BIOTECH
04.2023 - Current
Director, Field Medical Affairs
OCULAR THERAPEUTIX
09.2021 - 04.2023
Medical Director
OCULAR THERAPEUTIX
06.2020 - 09.2021
Medical Science Liaison
OCULAR THERAPEUTIX
08.2019 - 06.2020
Center Director/Optometrist Leader
LASIKPLUS
11.2016 - 05.2019
Associate Optometrist
MY VISION CALGARY
10.2014 - 09.2015
Associate Optometrist
MCIVOR FAMILY EYECARE
01.2012 - 06.2014
Managing Optometrist
LASIK MD
09.2011 - 06.2014
Attending/Resident
SUNY COLLEGE OF OPTOMETRY
07.2010 - 07.2011
PHD IN BIOMEDICINE -
Salus University
CORNEA AND CL ATTENDING/RESIDENT -
SUNY College of Optometry
DOCTOR OF OPTOMETRY -
Illinois College of Optometry
BACHELOR OF COMMERCE -
McGill University
Honors and Distinctions
- Summa Cum Laude, Salus University
- Clinical Honors, Illinois College of Optometry
- Beta Sigma Kappa, International Optometric Honor Society
Honors and Distinctions
- Summa Cum Laude, Salus University
- Clinical Honors, Illinois College of Optometry
- Beta Sigma Kappa, International Optometric Honor Society
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