Eyeworld

chief medical officer July 2018 • Ophthalmology Business 13 me to do what I have to do. Nothing is like being your own boss, and keep in mind that when you are in indus- try, everyone is boss. Rajesh Rajpal, MD Founder, See Clearly Vision Group, McLean, Virginia Chief medical officer, Avedro, Waltham, Massachusetts Dr. Rajpal has long been working with industry from an educational standpoint or on clinical trials. It was his work as a principal investi- gator for Avedro's crosslinking trials in the United States, however, that eventually presented him with the opportunity to become the compa- ny's CMO in March 2016. This move, he said, has allowed him to take a more active role in the development of Avedro's crosslinking "next-gen- eration" technology, education of colleagues, and in the development of further global clinical trials related to additional indications. in industry, we all have a lot of mu- tual respect for each other, and the eye world is so small. There was an instance where I was on the editorial board for a prominent journal and had to step down when the announcement was made about me joining Allergan. At first, I was quite sad, but then I realized the elements of conflict of interest. What would be your advice to those interested in holding a position like CMO with a company? Be true to yourself, be balanced, and realize that the grass is always green- er on the other side. There are chal- lenges with any job. There's a huge time constraint on family so balance is key. This is something you have to consider. If you're given the oppor- tunity to practice, that can be tough, too. Luckily, I'm in my own practice, and I practice with my spouse and other fine associates, so it's easier for it makes my customer interactions that much more valuable. What are some of the pros to being a CMO? I enjoy being an ambassador and physician voice in the company. I love having a great team and work- ing with other teams that motivate and challenge me every day through- out the world. I also get a lot out of working with the other therapeutic area heads, whether it's the gastroin- testinal team, the aesthetics team, or the central nervous system team, and cross-pollinating some of the best practices in our chief medical office toward eye care and dermatology. What are some of the cons? A true adjustment was the way peo- ple view you. While people may have had a prior personal relationship with you, the professional relation- ship can change quite a bit, whether it is within the company or outside the company. At the end of the day continued on page 14 CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER

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