San Francisco, CA
sarah@sarahadler.com
SUMMARY
Health communications expert with a foundation of clinical research experience and a proven track record of development and implementation of award-winning creative campaigns across industry sectors and media channels that address business objectives within corporate, agency, and media settings. Expertise includes:
- Health Communications
- Digital Media
- Broadcast Journalism
- Print Journalism
- Corporate Relations
- Public Relations
- Clinical Research
- Culinary Production
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Health Communications - Corporate Relations
Elan Pharmaceuticals 
South San Francisco, CA 2008 – 2009
Associate Director, Corporate Relations for mid-sized biotechnology company
- Created and managed external communication programs for novel multiple sclerosis drug Tysabri® in coordination with Elan’s partner Biogen Idec.
- Performed adverse event crisis management, specifically Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy (PML) events in Tysabri patients, for internal and external communications, and interaction with Investor Relations.
- Prepared press releases along with related talking points for Investor Relations, as well as internal and external teams.
- Managed and briefed third-party media for national and international media outlets (US, UK, and Irish Press)
- Provided training for senior leadership team and managers in preparation for media interactions.
- Worked with multiple Elan commercial product teams on patient advocacy outreach.
- Liasioned with BBC for Alzheimer’s series, and with HBO for Elan's participation in The Alzheimer's Project, a multi-episode documentary that details experiences of patients and caregivers, and advances in science.
- Led artistic production of 2008 Elan annual report including outreach to Key Opinion Leaders, casting patient testimonials, production of photo shoots, and layout. Coordinated and managed on-location shoots with photographer, including interaction with patients, scientists and management.
- Created and coordinated content development and website design refresh for elan.com in collaboration with 15-member team within legal, regulatory, commercial, and clinical divisions.
Health Communications - Digital Media
Publicis Modem (formerly Modem Media, a Digitas company) San Francisco, CA 2006 – 2007
Senior Copywriter, Senior Web Producer for advertising agency specializing in interactive media
- Reworked and produced Enbrel.com: Lead writer and producer for re-launch, profiling Enbrel®, a novel injectable for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), psoriasis and other inflammatory diseases.
- Generated new content including disease diagnosis, description, and treatment options.
- Coordinated with client commercial team, and harmonized content across multiple client agencies.
- Produced RAadvisor.com: Lead producer for disease education microsite featuring an interactive video-based panel of Key Opinion Leaders and patient advocates.
- Identified, recruited and cast panel of physician experts.
- Managed 22-member cross-functional team including client, director and studio.
- Partnered with client legal and regulatory teams for review and approval of content.
- Crafted InsideRA.com: Lead writer and producer for creation of unbranded disease awareness site for RA patients featuring cutting-edge research and patient advocacy tools including interactive glossary. Conceived and produced videos and multimedia elements for multiple cross-disciplinary client projects across industry sectors, including Hewlett-Packard Courtside for March Madness webisodes.
View screenshots and video in the Web Portfolio.
Broadcast Journalism - Culinary
Food Network Los Angeles, CA 2003 – 2005
Producer, Everyday Italian with Giada De Laurentiis Visit the Website
Coordinated and oversaw all aspects of production for four seasons of cooking show. Activities included scouting set and locations, supervising load-in, staff, wrap, and coordinating vendors.
Producer, Roker on the Road Visit the Website
Developed story ideas for editorial production.
Producer, Recipe for Success Visit the Website
Developed, wrote, and edited national and international segments.
Broadcast Journalism – Medical
ABC News Boston, MA; New York, NY 1998 – 2003
Producer, Good Morning America, Medical Unit Visit the Website
Developed, pitched, produced, wrote, and edited breaking medical news stories, patient profiles, live and taped segments for recurring medical segments, including appearances by Medical Editor Dr. Timothy Johnson and correspondent Dr. Nancy Snyderman.
Producer, Dr. Nancy Snyderman Specials View the reel in the Broadcast Portfolio.
Developed, pitched, produced, wrote, and edited long-form women’s health specials on topical issues.
Producer, Dr. Timothy Johnson Medical Unit View the reel in the Broadcast Portfolio.
Developed, pitched, produced, wrote, and edited medical segments for breaking news and magazine shows, including Nightline, World News Tonight, and 20/20.
Producer, Extreme Makeover
Served as field producer for plastic surgery segments of primetime ABC broadcast.
Lifetime Television Los Angeles, CA 2001 – 2003
Producer, Speaking of Women’s Health Visit the Website
Developed and produced women’s health and lifestyle segments for three seasons of talk show, also responsible for product placement integration and celebrity endorsements for sponsor Procter & Gamble.
Producer, What Should You Do? Visit the Website
Re-branded second season of show featuring advice on what to do in various emergency situations. Enhanced segment format to include dramatic reenactments of true stories and practical tips from experts.
Discovery Health Los Angeles, CA 2002
Producer, Berman & Berman: For Women Only Visit the Website
Launched first daily primetime women’s sexual health broadcast, hosted by Drs. Jennifer and Laura Berman.
Clinical Research
UCSF Spine Center San Francisco, CA 2006
Research Coordinator, Department of Orthopedics
Supervised patient consent, measured radiographs, and managed data for the Spinal Patient Outcomes Research Trial, a randomized study measuring the results of surgical treatment for lower back pain.
Boston Children's Hospital Boston, MA 1997 – 1998
Research Coordinator, Department of Cardiology
Supervised patient consent and managed data before, during, and after cardiac catheterization for clinical trial on an investigational device to map cardiac arrhythmias.
Health Research Associates Seattle, WA 1996 – 1997
Research Coordinator
Coordinated general health Quality of Life Instrument development for pharmaceutical contracts.
Harborview Injury Prevention and Resource Center Seattle, WA 1991 – 1996
Project Coordinator for epidemiology prevention research
Gathered data about gun storage and disseminated safe firearm storage education materials to Seattle community centers. On behalf of the Washington State Bicycle Helmet Coalition, coordinated distribution of over 100,000 coupons for bicycle helmets to schools and communities in low-income areas to promote safe cycling habits and prevent head injuries.
Northwest Spine Surgeons Seattle, WA 1991 – 1996
Director of Research for spinal surgery practice
Supervised clinical research projects for surgeons and University of Washington residents, designed and implemented patient pathways, and directed patient education multimedia.
Print Journalism - Features
San Francisco Chronicle San Francisco, CA 2007 – present
Freelance Writer
Pitch story ideas and write feature articles with a focus on lifestyle and food.
Read the articles in the Print Portfolio.
Public Relations - Culinary
Mina Group, Inc. San Francisco, CA 2007 – 2008
Creative Consultant for Chef Michael Mina’s restaurant group (special projects)
- Conceptualized new brand identities and corporate positioning for three new Mina restaurants (XIV in Los Angeles, Bourbon Steak in DC, Clock Bar in San Francisco).
- Produced concept and press books to promote new restaurants, and address media and investor inquiries.
- Developed book proposal for Michael Mina Wine Director, Raj Parr, and wine writer Jordan Mackay.
View the book proposal in the Print Portfolio.
EDUCATION
Master of Science, Health Communications
Tufts University School of Medicine,
Boston, MA
Certificate in Public Health
Harvard School of Public
Health, Boston, MA
Bachelor of Arts, Sociology
Kenyon College, Gambier, OH
SELECTED PUBLICATIONS
San Francisco Chronicle | Read the articles in the Print Portfolio.
“A Cleaner Environment is in the Bag,” “High Stakes at the Meat Ball,” Balsamic Vinegar is Crull Family Project.”
Spine | Read the article in the Print Portfolio.
Viola RW, King HA, Adler SM, Wilson CB. Delayed infection after elective spinal instrumentation.and fusion. A retrospective analysis of eight cases. Spine.1997 Oct 15;22(20):2444-50. PubMed PMID: 9355228
ABCNews.com | Read the articles in the Web Portfolio.
“Starting Smoking Young,” “I Am Here to Stay: A Tongue Cancer Survivor’s Story,” “Retraction: Breast Cancer Study Based on Bogus Research.”
AWARDS
Webby Award, Official Honoree, Pharmaceuticals
InsideRA.com (2008)
Interactive Media Award, Best in Class, Medical
InsideRA.com (2007)
POP Award, HIV/AIDS-related programming, Cable Positive
Discovery Health (2003)
International Health & Medical Media Award, Best Documentary, Time Inc.
ABC News (2001)
PRISM Award, Best News Magazine Special, Entertainment Industries Council
ABC News (2001)
The Robert Joplin Science Writers Award, Best Medical Journalism Reporting, American Orthopedic Foot Ankle Society
ABC News (2001)
The Dr. Norman B. Stearns Award - Outstanding Thesis
Tufts University School of Medicine (2000)
Albert Schweitzer Urban Fellowship - Grant Recipient
Tufts University School of Medicine (1998)
COMMUNITY OUTREACH
Friends of the Children, Volunteer Producer, San Francisco, CA (2008)
View the video here.
826 Valencia, Co-teacher, Development Committee, San Francisco, CA (2006 – present)
The Painted Turtle, Volunteer, Palmdale, CA (2005)
Veterans Administration Medical Center, Volunteer, Seattle, WA (1997)
Overlake Hospital, Charity Care, Seattle, WA (1996)
The Broken Theater, Co-founder, Seattle, WA (1995 – 1997)
National Scoliosis Foundation, Volunteer, Boston, MA (1991 – 1996)