WoW Woman in Health Tech I Jennifer Jones-McMeans, Ph.D., Divisional Vice President of Global Clinical Affairs at Abbott’s vascular business

Jennifer Jones-McMeans, Ph.D., is the Divisional Vice President of Global Clinical Affairs at Abbott’s vascular business. Since joining Abbott nearly 14 years ago, Jennifer has worked on gaining approval for numerous medical devices in the US and globally. She has led many clinical trials, including those for resorbable technologies designed to treat cardiovascular disease and peripheral arterial disease, the latter of which disproportionately affects underrepresented communities. Jennifer has spoken at several renowned industry conferences on diversity in clinical trials, including HIMSS, Diversity in Clinical Trials Summit, UCLA VITALS 2022, MedTech Color Collaborative Community Webinar, and more. In addition, Jennifer has received the Silicon Valley Women of Influence Award for her work eliminating barriers to clinical trials and is nominated for several other accolades.
Abbott’s vascular business is responsible for creating life-changing medical device technologies and solutions that help to eliminate the burden of cardiovascular disease worldwide. The Business is a subsection of the larger Abbott Laboratories brand, well-known as the leading global medical device and healthcare company.

Tell us a bit about your background and your projects so far.

I have dedicated my career to clinical research and making strides to advance modern medicine. In my work as a clinical researcher, we are addressing racial and gender biases that exist today in clinical trials. As the Divisional Vice President of Global Clinical Affairs at Abbott’s vascular business, I am at the helm of creating meaningful change in healthcare by driving innovation to create a more equitable and diverse clinical trial ecosystem. 

Through my work, I have been instrumental in implementing new approaches for the LIFE-BTK trial, which studies the development of severe diseases of the legs’ arteries. This trial serves as a model for the inclusion of diverse and under-represented populations and demonstrates that real progress is possible when we go beyond our self-imposed boundaries and make a meaningful effort to include physicians, research sites, and communities that have been historically left out and left behind.

How did you get into this industry? Has it been an easy industry to get into or have you had many challenges?

I began at Abbott’s vascular business in 2007. During that time, I served as a lead clinical scientist in the clinical development of an early phase of new site-specific therapy. As an integral team member, I grew my clinical research skills and climbed the ladder through clinical research, and then became a senior vice president. However, being a woman in STEM, especially a woman of color in STEM, has not been easy. Unfortunately, too many women face challenges in the workplace, from being overlooked to being unheard. That’s why I strive to be a positive role model and encourage women to become involved in healthcare and STEM because we can make a difference together.

How long did it take you to be where you are now? What was the biggest obstacle? What are the challenges of being in the industry you are in? 

I started as a senior clinical scientist in 2007 and was able to work with some great scientists, engineers, clinical teams, and physicians to learn about medical devices related to vascular care. 

When developing new therapies and products, we test them in the lab, but it doesn’t factor in human behavior. The human experience, factors such as social determinants of health, we need to take into consideration when developing medical devices and healthcare advancements. For example, industry leaders may want to consider engaging consumers to earn their trust and understanding while providing greater access to care.

What are your biggest achievements to date?

I am most proud of how my work at Abbott has allowed me to participate in the development of new technologies that impact patients’ lives.  In addition, I have recently been able to incorporate the importance of diversity in clinical trials. During this, we discuss best practices for patients, dispelling myths and breaking down some of the practical barriers to participation in trials, which include lack of trust, lack of understanding, lack of access, and lack of a common language.

What are the projects you are currently working on?

Right now, there are limited therapies for the treatment of Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD), which disproportionately affects African Americans, who are twice as likely to have PAD as any other racial/ethnic group and four times as likely to require an amputation. With this in mind, I’ve set out to recruit doctors and patients to participate in this clinical trial that reflects the underrepresented communities most in need of treatment.  Healthcare leaders can identify processes and tools to achieve greater diversity and inclusion. Organizations and researchers can create a set of clearly defined objectives to seamlessly integrate a standard practice to represent all patients from underserved communities most affected by chronic conditions and diseases like PAD.

 Through my work at Abbott, we have created partnerships, like with Women as One, to help educate the next generation of clinical trial researchers and investigators. By starting with researchers, we can help move the needle on diversifying clinical trial participants, because we know, when people see someone they can relate to, they are more likely to pursue a career or seek help.  

Is the #WomenInTech movement important to you and if yes, why?

Women leave tech industry jobs significantly more often (45%) than men. Many of which cite a lack of career growth. As a woman in tech, I find it extremely important to get more women involved in tech careers and keep them there. This helps lead to greater diversity in thought, innovation, and forward movement in the field. One way to support women in tech is through mentorship. This is critical to everyone’s career, but especially young women first defining their path. Mentors are someone to lean on, help you navigate, and champion your success. They are a critical piece of the puzzle.

What will be the key trends in your industry in the next five years and where do you see them heading?

Within the cardiovascular space, specifically, heart disease, the development of new technologies expand our understanding of improving precision around heart artery treatment. Important improvements and awareness in regards to diagnostics around dysfunction of the smaller blood vessels of the heart. For peripheral artery disease that impacts the legs, there is a need for continued development of effective and sustaining therapies that can lessen the disease burden on patients.  Lastly, the Covid-19 pandemic exposed the inequities that have existed for centuries in the healthcare system. With it coming to a new light, I envision healthcare systems and leaders doubling down their efforts, placing a greater urgency and creating an equitable healthcare system. These changes cannot happen alone, so I envision we’ll see more partnerships in the coming years to close the gap in care and support every individual.

What is the most important piece of advice you could give to anyone who wants to start a career in this industry?
Be authentic, ethical, and innovative. At Abbott, our product standard is to build it as if it’s intended for our family. For leaders looking to make a more significant impact, staying relevant and forward-thinking is essential. Consider if processes are necessary or if there are innovative ways to advance and support patients’ lives. One example is that Abbott recently partnered with Weight Watchers to support people living with diabetes to attain their health goals. Although Abbott already had robust products and programs to help people with diabetes, this partnership is a creative solution to enhance support for people to live life to the fullest.

Who are three inspirational women in your respective industry you admire?

There are definitely women in my industry that have inspired me. However, this inspiration extends beyond my industry. Some of the women inspired me because of the bold and courageous work that they conducted during a time when women were not considered for their intellect and leadership. One is Rosa Scott, my great-grandmother, in the late 1800’s started the Rosenwald School for the African American community of Madison Mississippi. The second woman is Katherine Johnson, a mathematician, known for her great contribution as a Nasa scientist. The third was Dr. Shirley Ann Jackson, one of the first African American women to earn her Ph.D. in physics from MIT.

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This interview was conducted by Marija Butkovic, Digital Marketing and PR strategist, founder, and CEO of Women of Wearables. She regularly writes and speaks on topics of wearable tech, fashion tech, IoT, entrepreneurship, and diversity. Follow Marija on Twitter @MarijaButkovic and read her stories for Forbes here.