Kelsie Anderson

Major: Kinesiology and Health
Company/Organization: Alkermes Pharmaceuticals
Company/Organization website: alkermes.com
Destination: Waltham, Massachusetts
Timeframe: Summer 2025
Advisor/Coordinator Email: dpower@iastate.edu

Responsibilities

Led implementation of targeted email outreach programs to enhance awareness of Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) and VIVITROL among healthcare providers and community stakeholders, using data-driven strategies to maximize reach and impact within high-need geographic areas. Partnered with analytics teams to identify and visualize key trends in treatment access, prescribing patterns, and regional health disparities, applying insights to guide public health planning and locally tailored education initiatives. Supported the development of the 2026 VIVITROL Brand Plan Strategy, coordinating cross-functional efforts to integrate clinical, epidemiological, and community-level insights into a cohesive plan addressing substance use disorder. Generated monthly digital engagement reports across CRM, targeted media, and web platforms to assess the effectiveness of outreach efforts, ensuring data-informed adjustments to better support population health goals and improve treatment access.

Accomplishments

One of my greatest accomplishments during my internship was helping to coordinate the development of the 2026 VIVITROL Brand Plan, with a focus on expanding access to treatment for alcohol use disorder (AUD). I played a central role in managing cross-functional collaboration—aligning inputs from medical affairs, commercial, policy, and analytics teams to ensure the plan reflected both clinical priorities and public health needs. I also helped synthesize market insights and patient segmentation data to inform strategic objectives, such as improving treatment equity in underserved communities. Contributing to a long-term strategy with the potential to impact patient access and outcomes made this a deeply meaningful and rewarding experience.

Learning experience

One of the greatest lessons I learned during my internship is that public health impact extends far beyond clinical or research roles—I discovered that functions like marketing and strategic communications play a critical role in improving population health outcomes. By working on targeted outreach campaigns and data-driven patient segmentation for alcohol use disorder treatment, I saw firsthand how thoughtful messaging and coordination can influence provider behaviors and patient access to care. This experience broadened my understanding of the diverse ways to contribute to public health, reinforcing that effective health promotion and disease prevention often rely on collaboration across disciplines, including marketing, analytics, and strategy.

What advice would you give?

My advice for future students in this major is to stay curious and explore every avenue, even those outside traditional public health roles. Whether it’s marketing, data analytics, policy, or community outreach, each area offers unique opportunities to make a meaningful impact on health outcomes. Being open to diverse experiences not only broadens your skill set but also helps you discover unexpected ways to apply your passion for improving public health. Don’t hesitate to step outside your comfort zone—sometimes the most rewarding career paths come from roles you hadn’t initially considered.

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