Joe Boyd

Chief Executive Officer, Executive Committee

Joe Boyd formed MCS in 1985 with the objective of making the agency a leader in health care public relations. In the ensuing years, he has drawn on his nearly 30 years in the communications field and two decades of health care public relations experience to serve MCS clients as a senior counselor.

Before founding MCS, Joe was director of public relations for Ciba-Geigy Pharmaceuticals (now Novartis Pharmaceuticals). During his tenure there, Joe was involved in crisis management, regulatory issues and marketing communications. In addition, he was active on committees of industry associations, including the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, National Pharmaceutical Council, and the New Jersey, California and New York Health Information Councils.

At MCS, Joe uses this experience to assist clients with a variety of challenges posed by the FDA, product and category introductions, and patent expiration issues. As a direct resource for each MCS client and the agency staff, Joe has been a leader in the development of major initiatives targeted to physicians and other health care professionals as well as direct-to-consumer programs.

Joe began his career as a news director for a Florida radio station. Later, he became a reporter and columnist for The Ledger, a daily newspaper in Lakeland, Florida. He taught journalism at the University of Florida for several years, served as a science writer for the university and was a writer for United Press International.

In 2006, Joe was appointed as a member of the Board of Trustees, Committee of Business Development for the Somerset Medical Center in Somerset, NJ. He is also a member of the Drug Information Association, the Pharmaceutical Advertising Council and Public Relations Society of America. He has lectured on public relations before professional, community and student groups. He holds a bachelor's degree in journalism from the University of Florida.

Jeff Hoyak

President, Executive Committee

Jeff brings more than 25 years of corporate and agency healthcare experience to his role as President. He has provided strategic counsel and communications support to such MCS pharma clients as Sanofi Aventis, Genentech, Bristol-Myers Squibb, CSL Behring and MannKind Corporation. Jeff, who joined MCS in 1995, is a member of the MCS Executive Committee.

On behalf of MCS clients, Jeff has worked closely with key opinion leaders in cardiology, oncology, diabetes/endocrinology, dermatology and allergy & asthma, as well as their institutions. He has managed client partnerships with medical associations such as the Interamerican College of Physicians and Surgeons, and patient advocacy organizations, including the Head and Neck Cancer Alliance, the National Hemophilia Foundation and the Hereditary Angioedema Association. Jeff has also spearheaded the agency's business-to-business effort in recent years, providing PR counsel to such industry service provider clients as Qforma.

During his tenure at Lederle Laboratories, and later, Wyeth-Ayerst Laboratories (now Wyeth Pharmaceuticals), Jeff launched nine medical products, including antibiotics, cardiovasculars and pediatric vaccines. He also managed numerous issues and developed public relations campaigns to support products and drive business.

Jeff's previous position was Senior Director, Communications, with Wyeth in St. Davids, Pennsylvania. In this role he had overall responsibility for public/media relations for the company's broad line of healthcare products, including women's healthcare products, cardiovasculars, anti-inflammatories and infant nutritionals.

Jeff came to Wyeth from Lederle, as a result of the merger between Wyeth and American Cyanamid. During nearly a decade with Lederle, Jeff held a series of positions of increasing responsibility, all focused on communications.

His most recent position at Lederle was Director of Public Affairs, with overall responsibility for public/media relations and issues management for four domestic medical businesses (ethical and generic pharmaceuticals, vaccines and nutritional supplements) as well as the medical research division. He also directed employee communications, crisis preparedness, community relations at Lederle plant sites, special events and environmental issues for the company.

Prior to entering the healthcare industry, Jeff was a reporter and managing editor for a leading suburban newspaper in northern New Jersey. He graduated with honors from Upsala College with a bachelor's degree in English.

Todd Forte

Executive Vice President, Executive Committee

Todd brings more than 25 years of product communications, corporate public relations and issues management experience to his role as Executive Vice President. In his capacity at MCS, Todd has provided strategic counsel and senior account management to several pharmaceutical clients, including Merck, Schering-Plough, Pharmacia, Novartis, Pfizer, Auxilium, Columbia Labs and Reckitt Benckiser. Todd joined MCS in 1998 and is a member of the MCS Executive Committee.

During his tenure at MCS, Todd has served as senior account team manager on products representing diverse therapeutic areas, including oncology, urology, neurology, infectious diseases, respiratory illness and inflammatory disorders. In addition, Todd currently leads the agency on international account activities, conducting product communications programs in major western and central European markets. In this capacity, Todd has established ongoing working relationships with independent healthcare communications agencies in several capital cities.

Todd's previous position within the pharmaceutical industry was Assistant Director, Communications at Novartis, which was formed in 1997 as a merger between Ciba-Geigy Ltd. and Sandoz Ltd. Prior to the merger, Todd was a manager in the public relations department at Ciba Pharmaceuticals. During his six-year tenure at Ciba/Novartis, Todd was responsible for public relations activities for ethical pharmaceuticals used in the management of arthritis, depression, metabolic and central nervous system disorders.

At Ciba Pharmaceuticals, Todd also developed and implemented a media response-training program for senior managers at product manufacturing facilities nationwide. He also was responsible for managing communications programs for a variety of environmental issues facing the pharmaceuticals division and developed Ciba's first emergency response communications plan.

Prior to entering the healthcare industry, Todd spent 12 years in the commercial nuclear power industry where he developed and supervised public relations activities and emergency communications at several nuclear power plants around the country. Todd also spent three years as a conservation biologist for a government agency on Long Island.

Todd graduated from C.W. Post College, Long Island University, with a bachelor?s degree in Environmental Sciences and a minor in Communications.

Brian Thompson

Senior Vice President, Executive Committee

As Senior Vice President at MCS, Brian Thompson plays a key role in the development and implementation of public-relations activities for such clients as CSL Behring, Genentech and Aeterna Zentaris. His work at MCS has supported a variety of products in the therapeutic categories of dermatology, gastroenterology, respiratory, rheumatology, neurology, and oncology.

For CSL Behring, Brian has developed public relations campaigns in support of clinical trial recruitment for the company's C1-INH inhibitor to treat Hereditary Angioedema (HAE). He also conducted a successful media campaign in major U.S. markets for the bleeding disorder von Willebrand's disease (VWD), for which CSL Behring makes the treatment Humate-P.

For Genentech, Brian has overseen media outreach efforts to promote awareness of the signs and symptoms of stroke as part of Stroke Awareness Month and in support of Activase® (Alteplase) the first therapy to be indicated for the management of stroke.

For Aeterna Zentaris he provides communications expertise for the company's late-stage oncology drug development portfolio, which includes novel, investigational treatments for multiple myeloma, colorectal, prostate, bladder, ovarian and endometrial cancers.

Brian's previous work at MCS, has included support of the international gastroenterology, rheumatology and dermatology franchises for REMICADE®, Merck's anti-TNF and the Mucinex and Delsym brands for Reckitt Benckiser. In addition to managing product and disease-awareness programs for a variety of brands, Brian has also helped clients develop partnerships with key patient and professional advocacy organizations both in the United States and Europe.

Brian's background in hospital-based public relations and journalism provides him with a unique expertise and perspective for MCS' health care clients.

As Assistant Director of Public Relations for Hackensack University Medical Center, Brian was the primary media contact for the 684-bed facility, working with national and local press on stories about hospital services, programs and new technologies. He oversaw the development of marketing and PR materials, including brochures and award-winning annual reports.

As Director of Public Affairs for Nyack Hospital, a 375-bed hospital in Rockland County, NY, Brian was responsible for all marketing, media relations and advertising. He initiated Nyack Hospital's first quarterly health publication and created and edited a branded hospital website.

Prior to entering healthcare public relations, Brian was a reporter and lifestyle editor for a newspaper in northern New Jersey. He graduated with High Distinction from the University of Maine with a bachelor's degree in Mass Communication.

Karen Dombek

Vice President

As Vice President, Karen Dombek currently manages the implementation of and provides strategic counsel on consumer and professional communications campaigns for MCS clients Merck and Metromedia Bioscience, Inc. In this role, Karen works with clients to gain a thorough understanding of their business and to lend creative input and strategic thinking to develop cost-effective communications programs that build awareness and strengthen brands. Karen also serves on the MCS Management Committee.

Since joining MCS ten years ago, Karen's communications experience spans many healthcare categories, including rheumatology, oncology, cardiology, dermatology, diabetes, infectious disease, gastroenterology, oral health, medical devices, pediatrics and anxiety disorders.

Currently, Karen leads the international gastroenterology, rheumatology and dermatology franchises for REMICADE® and SIMPONI®, Merck's anti-TNF agents. She has successfully initiated press conferences, media tours, professional and patient surveys as well as general consumer and professional communications initiatives throughout Europe. Karen has established ongoing working relationships with independent healthcare communications agencies in several European capital cities.

In addition to managing product and disease-awareness programs for a variety of brands, Karen has also helped clients develop partnerships with key patient and professional advocacy organizations both in the United States and Europe.

Karen also has expertise in applying the latest media broadcast technology to the public relations discipline. She has extensive experience coordinating satellite media tours and has produced video news releases, b-roll packages and radio media tours.

Karen brings to MCS several years of marketing and public and community relations experience in the hospital setting. Prior to joining MCS, Karen was director of public relations and marketing for Wayne General Hospital, an affiliate of the Saint Barnabas Health Care System. In her position, Karen acted as the official spokesperson for the hospital, and developed and implemented full-range marketing programs and media relation's campaigns. While at the hospital, Karen also served as a key committee member for the local chapters of the March of Dimes and the American Heart Association.

Karen received a Bachelor of Arts degree in public relations and communications from Marist College.

Eliot Harrison

Vice President

As a Vice President, Eliot Harrison provides strategic and creative solutions that match the communication goals of both large and small pharmaceutical companies. He provides the coordination and goal setting for his teams that achieve measureable results for the clients he represents, which include Merck and Genentech. 

His work at MCS has included the successful implementation of PR activities through the many stages of a drug’s life cycle including early clinical trial data, FDA approval and reinvigorating older brands. His understanding of clinical data in a wide range of therapeutic areas has allowed him to manage and build relationships between the brand team, the media and nationally recognized KOLs. 

Currently, he manages his teams in support of global public-relations activities for Merck’s Integrilin, Brinavess and investigational cardiovascular treatments vorapaxar and betrixaban, as well as Genentech’s Activase.

His work at MCS has led to many successful national and local broadcast and print media relations campaigns, as well as professional awareness projects at medical congresses around the world in a multitude of therapeutic areas including cardiology, neurology, immunology, etc. 

His work with third-party organizations has supported communication activities for the American Cancer Society, American Stroke Association, National Stroke Association, Healthy Women, American College of Emergency Physicians, and National Psoriasis Foundation.

Prior to joining MCS in April 2005, Eliot served as an information technology liaison for major corporations including Chubb, AT&T and Johnson & Johnson. Eliot brings his 10 year history in IT to MCS to assist in the efficiency of overcoming internal and client related technical challenges.

Eliot graduated from Rutgers University with a bachelor’s degree in Journalism.

Laura de Zutter

Senior Director of Client Services

As a Senior Director of Client Services, Laura de Zutter provides strategic solutions and high-quality results for Aeterna Zentaris, CSL Behring and MannKind Corporation. Her work at MCS has supported a variety of products in the therapeutic categories of dermatology, endocrinology, gastroenterology, hematology, neurology, oncology, rheumatology and urology.

During her tenure at MCS, Laura has supported various approval and launch campaigns including those of Warner Chilcott's psoriasis treatment, Taclonex® and Sciele (now Shionogi Pharma)'s head lice treatment, Ulesfia Lotion; executed external and internal communications for BD during World AIDS Day; and provided medical meeting support during the presentation of new data for Auxilium’s hypogonadism treatment, Testim®.

Laura has also led a number of consumer and trade media relations campaigns. As part of a two-year grassroots campaign aimed at raising awareness of von Willebrand disease for CSL Behring and the National Hemophilia Foundation she achieved media coverage in local markets across the country with a total audience reach of more than 4 million. A trade media campaign conducted on behalf of Genentech during the annual American Academy of Dermatology meeting secured significant coverage compared to competitors for the company’s psoriasis product.

Additionally, Laura has worked on a variety of global initiatives for Merck's REMICADE® and for CSL Behring’s Beriplex®, coordinating the planning and execution of press conferences, patient roundtables and media relations campaigns throughout Europe.

Prior to joining MCS, Laura worked to promote Anvil Knitwear’s consumer programs through the development of a comprehensive public relations campaign. Laura graduated cum laude from The College of New Jersey with a Bachelor of Arts degree in communication studies and a minor in professional writing, and received a master’s degree in communication and information studies from Rutgers University.

Jennifer McGuire

Director of Client Services

As a Director of Client Services for MCS, Jennifer oversees the development and implementation of public relations activities for various cardiovascular products for their client, Merck.

Jennifer excels in managing the strategic communications planning behind various domestic and international scientific congresses of pertinence to the client. She has successfully supported the organization and execution of numerous pan-European roundtable discussions, press conferences and data briefings featuring leading physicians and representatives from patient advocacy organizations for Merck's REMICADE® and SIMPONI®, and Merck's investigational compound, vorapaxar.

Her expertise blankets a wide range of therapeutic categories and her current product work includes the management of public relations activities for Merck's INTEGRILIN® for acute coronary syndromes; BRINAVESS® for atrial fibrillation; and two cardiovascular pipeline products under clinical investigation (vorapaxar and betrixaban).

Jennifer's work at MCS has also included global, national and local media relations campaigns and the development of product and crisis communications plans for pharmaceutical and biotech products. In addition, by providing media outreach support and public relations activities for both CSL Behring and the Head and Neck Cancer Alliance, Jennifer has helped build public awareness of von Willebrand Disease, the most common hereditary bleeding disorder, and of oral, head and neck cancers, respectively. She also has assisted Adams Respiratory Therapeutics in organizing a multi-faceted celebration for its employees in honor of the company's 10th anniversary of operations and has supported the planning and production of a webcast on the preeminent cardiology web site, theheart.org, which featured a panel discussion by leading cardiologists on the impact of bleeding in the treatment of acute coronary syndromes.

Prior to joining MCS, Jennifer worked in Marketing and Sales for Bank of America and Priority Financial Services. She graduated magna cum laude from Kutztown University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Speech Communication and a minor in Public Relations.