A Conversation with Medical Affairs Leader Paul Ward
Paul Ward, Head of Field Medical Oncology at BeOne Medicines, reflects on 30 years in Medical Affairs and why slowing down is the best career advice no one gives.
OnPoint: The Mentor Sessions, hosted by Linda Traylor, VP of Medical Excellence at Acceleration Point, is inspired by The Tribe of Mentors by Tim Ferriss. Each episode follows a consistent set of reflective questions designed to uncover the mindsets, habits, and leadership lessons of exceptional Medical Affairs leaders.
Paul Ward (Head of Field Medical Oncology, Hematology, Medical Value and Access at BeOne Medicines) has spent thirty years in Medical Affairs, from selling antibiotics at Beecham Laboratories to leading field medical teams in oncology and hematology at Lilly Oncology, AstraZeneca, and Astellas before his current role. He has attended the American Society of Hematology for twenty-three consecutive years. His perspective isn't theoretical. It's built in the arena, shaped by the moments that tested him and the mentors who stayed close. In this conversation with Linda, Paul opens up about the mindset shift that transformed his early MSL career, what he learned leading a team through a drug withdrawal, and why he believes the worst advice you can give a field medical professional is to rush to the next title. If you're building a career in Medical Affairs, this one is worth coming back to.
Key Takeaways:
- Become a better student, not a better expert. The pivot that changed Paul's early MSL career wasn't learning more data. It was learning to ask better questions and listen more deeply to the people in the room.
- Leading through crisis builds character. When the Iressa withdrawal came, Paul got a 6:30 AM call and had to make difficult decisions alongside KOLs. That experience shaped how he thinks about leadership under pressure and what it means to stay.
- Don't rush the gears. Paul's most consistent message to early-career field medical professionals: slow down. The title will come. What you build in each role (relationships, credibility, clinical depth) is what actually carries you forward.
- People outlast molecules. A conversation with Dr. Steven Paul thirty years ago left a mark. The reminder that the people you engage matter more than the science you're selling has stayed with Paul throughout his career.
- AI belongs in Medical Affairs, but so does the human. Paul sees AI as a tool to enhance what field medical professionals do, not replace it. The irreplaceable value of this role is human connection, and that shouldn't be automated away.
- Mentorship is a responsibility, not an honor. Paul approaches mentoring others the way the best mentors approached him: with honesty, directness, and genuine investment in the other person's growth.
Books and Resources Mentioned
A Message to Garcia by Elbert Hubbard, recommended by Linda Traylor: a short classic on dependability and getting things done without being told how. Linda gifts it often and calls it one of the best books she's ever received.
Paul's own recommendations are both podcasts rather than traditional books, both centered on the field medical community:
- MSL Talk (podcast), recommended by Paul Ward: hosted by Tom Caravela, Managing Partner of The Carolan Group, nearly 200 episodes featuring Medical Affairs leaders. Listen on YouTube
- PharmaVerse (podcast), recommended by Paul Ward: hosted by Michael Pietrack, with a broader guest list spanning pharma CEOs and R&D leaders. Listen on YouTube
About Our Guest
Paul Ward is Head of Field Medical Oncology, Hematology, Medical Value and Access at BeOne Medicines. His thirty-year career spans field medical, regional, and national director roles at Lilly Oncology, AstraZeneca, and Astellas, among others. He is a longtime member of the MSL Society Advisory Board.
Connect with Paul on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-ward-95302b15/
FAQ
What is OnPoint: The Mentor Sessions?
A podcast hosted by Linda Traylor, VP of Medical Excellence at Acceleration Point, featuring reflective conversations with Medical Affairs leaders about mentorship, career development, and leadership lessons, inspired by The Tribe of Mentors.
Who is Paul Ward?
Paul Ward is Head of Field Medical Oncology, Hematology, Medical Value and Access at BeOne Medicines, with thirty years of experience across field medical, regional, and national director roles at companies including Lilly Oncology, AstraZeneca, and Astellas.
What career advice does Paul Ward give to early-career MSLs?
His core message is to slow down rather than rush toward the next title. He believes the relationships, credibility, and clinical depth built in each role carry a career forward more than the title itself does.
What did Paul Ward learn from leading through the Iressa drug withdrawal?
He describes it as a defining test of leadership under pressure, requiring fast decisions made in close coordination with KOLs. It shaped how he thinks about leading a team through crisis.
Does Paul Ward see a role for AI in Medical Affairs?
Yes. He views AI as a tool that can enhance the work of field medical professionals, not replace it, and believes the human connection at the center of the role shouldn't be automated away.
Questions about this topic? We're happy to help.
About OnPoint: The Mentor Sessions Podcast
OnPoint: The Mentor Sessions Podcast delivers engaging conversations with Medical Affairs and Field Medical leaders on the power of mentorship and coaching. Hosted by Linda Traylor, each podcast uncovers practical strategies, personal stories, and lessons to inspire and prepare the next generation of medical leaders.
OnPoint is available on several podcast platforms, including the Acceleration Point YouTube channel. Listen on:
More Episodes
Explore more conversations with Medical Affairs leaders on the OnPoint Podcast.
Browse All Episodes