A Conversation with Medical Affairs Leader Samuel Dyer
Dr. Samuel Dyer of the Medical Science Liaison Society explains why he stopped chasing titles, and what finishing medical school 31 years later taught him about perseverance.
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.
In this episode, Linda sits down with Dr. Samuel Dyer (CEO, Medical Science Liaison Society), who entered the pharmaceutical industry in 2000 as a medical science liaison and went on to lead international Medical Affairs teams across 60 countries. He founded the Medical Science Liaison Society and now works on building the future of the profession itself, through training programs, research, and graduate education. Linda and Dr. Dyer talk about leading by contribution rather than title, why communication separates exceptional MSLs, how he thinks about AI, and what it meant to finish medical school 31 years after he started. If you’re building a career in Medical Affairs, this conversation is one to return to.
Key Takeaways
- Contribution over title. Dr. Dyer says the biggest shift in his career came when he stopped asking “What is my next job?” and started asking “What can I contribute, that does not exist yet?” That question led him to build the Medical Science Liaison Society.
- Science earns credibility, communication creates impact. In his words, “science gives you credibility, communication allows you to create the impact.” He describes the MSL role as “a communication role through science.”
- Exceptional leaders develop people. Dr. Dyer says, “I judge leaders and leadership by what happens when the leader is not in the room.” He adds that the higher you move in leadership, the more the quality of your questions matters compared with the quality of your answers.
- Define success by what remains. Dr. Dyer no longer measures success by promotions or team size. He asks, “What will remain because I was hired, and what did I do that had a positive impact?” Defining that value remains a challenge for the field. A 2025 global survey by the MSL Society, authored by Dr. Dyer and colleagues, gathered responses from 1,023 medical affairs professionals in 63 countries on how MSL performance is measured, and concluded that a balanced KPI framework should combine qualitative and quantitative measures.
- Pair AI with emotional intelligence. Dr. Dyer reframes the AI question: “will an MSL who knows how to use AI outperform an MSL who does not?” In his view, human capabilities such as judgment, curiosity, empathy, trust, and listening become more valuable as AI improves, and emotional intelligence is the quality AI has put a spotlight on.
- Delayed does not mean impossible. Dr. Dyer finished medical school 31 years after he started it. His advice to his younger self: “do not confuse delayed with impossible.”
Books and Resources Mentioned
The Medical Science Liaison Career Guide: How to Break Into Your First Role by Samuel Dyer, recommended by Samuel Dyer: his own book, written for scientists, PhDs, and physicians who want to become an MSL and had no way to learn how the profession works.
The Millionaire Next Door by Thomas J. Stanley and William D. Danko, recommended by Samuel Dyer: he describes it as a life-changing book, and says its central message is that wealth is often not what it looks like.
About Our Guest
Dr. Samuel Dyer, MD, PhD, is CEO of the Medical Science Liaison Society, which he founded as a nonprofit organization focused on the global MSL community. He has led international Medical Affairs teams across 60 countries and has facilitated MSL and Medical Affairs training programs for more than ninety companies in twenty-two countries. He has authored more than one hundred publications and helped create graduate education programs in Medical Affairs.
Connect with Samuel on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samueldyer/
FAQ
Who is Dr. Samuel Dyer?
Dr. Samuel Dyer, MD, PhD, is the CEO of the Medical Science Liaison Society, a nonprofit organization he founded that focuses on the global MSL community. He entered the pharmaceutical industry in 2000, went on to lead international Medical Affairs teams across 60 countries, and has lived in 11 countries.
What does Dr. Dyer say separates an exceptional Medical Affairs leader from a good one?
Dr. Dyer says a good Medical Affairs leader can manage the business, while an exceptional one develops people. He describes exceptional leaders as creating clarity, giving people permission to think, asking better questions, and building an environment where talented people are willing to disagree. His test is “I judge leaders and leadership by what happens when the leader is not in the room.”
What does Dr. Dyer mean when he calls the MSL role a communication role?
Dr. Dyer says “The MSL role is a communication role through science.” He treats scientific credibility as essential but not distinguishing, saying “science is simply just the price of admission.” In his view, what sets MSLs apart is what they do with the science, including how well they communicate complexity simply, listen, and adapt their communication style.
How does Dr. Dyer say Medical Affairs professionals should think about AI?
Dr. Dyer says the useful question is not whether AI will replace MSLs. He asks, “will an MSL who knows how to use AI outperform an MSL who does not?” He expects human capabilities such as judgment, curiosity, empathy, trust, and listening to become more valuable as AI improves, and he names emotional intelligence as the quality AI has put a spotlight on.
What does Dr. Dyer say is the worst career advice for Medical Affairs professionals?
Dr. Dyer points to the advice “Hey, just work hard and your work will speak for itself.” He calls it terrible advice for Medical Affairs, because professionals also need to communicate the value of their work, build relationships, and make sure the people around them understand the impact they create. He is clear that this is professional communication rather than self-promotion.
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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:
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