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 over two decades of corporate and agency health care 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, MedImmune Oncology and CSL Behring. 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, 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 Yul Brynner Head and Neck Cancer Foundation and the Pituitary Network Association.

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 health care products, including women's health care 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 health care 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 Schering-Plough, Pharmacia, MedPointe, Novartis and and Pfizer, Inc. He 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 health care 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.

Carol Cartwright

Vice President

Carol Cartwright is an accomplished senior public relations executive with more than 17 years of marketing communications experience within the health care industry representing pharmaceutical and biotech companies. During her career, Carol has demonstrated an expertise in developing and implementing strategic and creative PR initiatives that drive sales by increasing awareness for Rx and OTC products and corporations.

Currently, Carol directs communications initiatives for Reckitt Benckiser, Inc., MannKind Corporation, and Scerene Healthcare. She also is a member of the agency's New Business Account Team, and serves on both the Management and Operations Committees.

During her tenure at MCS, Carol has managed account teams representing products from a variety of therapeutic areas, including cardiology, dermatology, endocrinology, immunology, neurology, oncology, pulmonology, rheumatology, and urology.

In her previous position as Senior Director of Client Services at MCS, Carol had management focus for sanofi-aventis, Genentech, Inc., Merck Vaccine Division, McNeil Consumer Products, Pharmacia (now Pfizer) and Roche Laboratories. She also was the Account Supervisor for the respiratory products of Allen & Hanburys Division of Glaxo, Inc., and served as a member of the marketing communications team representing Lederle Laboratories. Earlier in her career at MCS, Carol worked extensively on cardiovascular products marketed by Zeneca Pharmaceuticals Group in the US and UK, developed a public education program on acne for Lederle International, and coordinated several promotional campaigns for ALZA Corporation and Warner-Lambert.

Carol joined MCS as an Account Executive from the Hospital Satellite Network (HSN). Before HSN, Carol was an Account Executive at Wang Associates, where she coordinated public relations programs for several major pharmaceutical companies.

Prior to graduating with honors from Douglass College with a bachelor's degree in journalism and mass media, she served an internship in the Community Relations department at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick, New Jersey, and in the Spot Sales department for NBC-TV in New York.

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 Schering-Plough Corporation and Sciele Pharma, 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 eight years ago, Karen's communications experience spans many health care categories, including rheumatology, 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®, Schering-Plough's anti-TNF. She has successfully initiated press conferences, media tours, professional and patient surveys as well as general consumer and professional communications initiatives throughout Europe. Karen also played a key role in promoting the recent FDA approval and launch of Ulesfia, a prescription medication designed to kill head lice by asphyxiation rather than through the use of harsh chemicals.

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.

Brian Thompson

Vice President

As 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, Schering-Plough Corporation and Reckitt Benckiser, Inc.

For CSL Behring, Brian has developed public relations campaigns in support of clinical trial recruitment for the company's investigational 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 Schering-Plough's REMICADE®, Brian has provided international; medical meeting support for product and data milestones, worked with gastroenterology patient advocacy groups on a pan-European survey and roundtable, and has written and produced an unbranded video highlighting patients with rheumatic disease from across Europe.

For Reckitt Benckiser, Inc. Brian has worked on public relations initiatives in support of the over-the-counter Mucinex and Delsym brands, as well as the company's first-ever investigational prescription cough medicine.

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

While working in the hospital environment, Brian developed creative, cost-effective campaigns, including press events, clinical trial announcements and web-based initiatives, for two major hospitals in the New York tri-state area.

As Public Relations/Media Specialist and 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.

Sarah Morgan

Director of Client Services

As a Director of Client Services,Sarah Morgan oversees the strategic and creative direction of public relations activities for clients at Schering-Plough Corporation, Reckitt Benckiser and Scerene Healthcare.

She serves as the agency's in-house social media expert, combining her professional and academic experience to acclimate colleagues, clients and professional organizations to social media; and she serves on the agency's new-business committee.

While managing product and disease-awareness programs for a variety of brands, Sarah has also helped clients develop partnerships with key patient-advocacy organizations. Her work as a liaison between pharmaceutical companies and the National Psoriasis Foundation has provided beneficial media attention for all organizations involved. She also helped create and manage the Colon Cancer Alliance's Roots of Support program with Bristol-Myers Squibb and ImClone Systems.

Sarah's expertise spans therapeutic categories, with particular focus in allergy, cardiology, dermatology and oncology. Her recent product work has included communications for Schering-Plough's Integrilin® for acute coronary syndrome; Genentech's Raptiva® and Warner Chilcott's Taclonex®, both for psoriasis; Sancuso® for chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (ProStrakan) and Erbitux® for colorectal cancer (Bristol-Myers Squibb and ImClone Systems). In addition, her pre-approval communications work includes Schering-Plough's SCH530348 for acute coronary syndrome, Discovery Laboratories' Surfaxin® for neonatal respiratory distress syndrome, and Signalife's Fidelity 100 cardiac monitor. During her tenure at MCS, Sarah has also provided corporate communications for Pfizer product managers worldwide.

Prior to joining MCS in 2003, Sarah served as a communications specialist managing employee communications at Johnson & Johnson's Janssen Pharmaceutica and Ortho-McNeil Pharmaceuticals (now Janssen-Ortho Inc.).

Sarah graduated summa cum laude from Fairleigh Dickinson University with degrees in English and in communications, and received a master's degree in communications and media studies from Fordham University, with a thesis on internet-enabled media conducted under noted media ecologist Dr. Paul Levinson.

Laura de Zutter

Director of Client Services

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

During her tenure at MCS, Laura has supported the approval and launch campaigns of Warner Chilcott's psoriasis treatment, Taclonex®; 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 Foundationshe achieved media coverage in local markets across the country with a total audience reach of over 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, Raptiva®.

Additionally, Laura has worked on a variety of global initiatives for Schering-Plough'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.

Eliot Harrison

Director of Client Services

As a Director of Client Services, 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 public-relations activities for Merck’s Integrilin and investigational cardiovascular treatments vorapaxar and acadesine, as well as Genentech’s Activase and tenecteplase 2mg.  

His work at MCS has led to many successful national and local broadcast and media relations campaigns, as well as professional awareness projects at medical meetings 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, 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.

Elaine Andrecovich

Senior Account Executive

As a Senior Account Executive at MCS, Elaine Andrecovich offers media relations, writing, and public relations expertise for clients including Schering-Plough, CSL Behring, and Genentech. Elaine has worked on national and international media activities spanning clients in the gastroenterology, neurology, rheumatology, and coagulation fields.

Since joining MCS in August 2007, Elaine has assisted with many public relations initiatives, including patient/physician roundtables on behalf of Schering-Plough, leveraging positive results of a major study conducted by the Respiratory and Allergic Disease Foundation, and has facilitated multiple grassroots media campaigns to promote education and symptom recognition for both stroke and von Willebrand's disease. Elaine has been instrumental in securing media placement in leading publications including the Detroit Free-Press, American Medical News and the Journal of Emergency Medicine Services, as well as multiple key trade and local media outlets.

Prior to joining MCS, Elaine served as Communication Manager for Girl Scouts: Lenni-Lenape Council, where she developed and implemented marketing and public relations campaigns throughout northern New Jersey. She also began a highly successful public speaking program for Girl Scouts.

Elaine graduated with honors from Douglass College/ School of Communication, Information, and Library Studies at Rutgers University, where she was a correspondent for the university's newspaper, The Daily Targum.

Her professional interests include women's health, coagulation, and neurology.

Alanna Jamieson

Account Executive

As an Account Executive at MCS, Alanna Jamieson is charged with providing account support, program development, new business development and media monitoring and analysis services for a variety of MCS clients.

Alanna supports national initiatives for client Reckitt Benckiser's cough and cold products, including Mucinex. Her activities at MCS also include work on national media relations and consumer awareness campaigns for Sciele Pharma and the Yul Brynner Head and Neck Cancer Foundation, for which the agency annually promotes Oral, Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Week. In addition, Alanna provides corporate communications support for Qforma, an advanced analytics and predictive modeling company specializing in solutions for the health care industry.

Prior to joining MCS in June 2008, Alanna completed an internship with R&J Public Relations where she directly assisted account executives in all aspects of national and local public relations campaigns for clients such as Samsung and Good Samaritan Hospital. While working at R&J, she gained experience in a broad range of public relations sectors, from professional electronics and real estate to non-profit and healthcare.

Alanna is a graduate of The College of New Jersey (TCNJ) where she earned a bachelor's degree in English and a minor in Management. While at TCNJ, Alanna was a member of the English honor society, Sigma Tau Delta, and also served as the President of the Leadership Development Program, a prominent training and consulting organization that delivers leadership-oriented workshops to high school and college students.

Alanna can be contacted via her LinkedIn profile.

Jennifer McGuire

Account Executive

As a Senior Account Executive for MCS, Jennifer supports the development and implementation of corporate and media relations for clients such as Schering-Plough Corporation, CSL Behring, Reckitt Benckiser, Inc., and the Head and Neck Cancer Alliance.

Her work at MCS has included national and local broadcast and print media relations campaigns and assistance in the development of product and crisis communications plans for pharmaceutical and biotech products in the fields of cardiology, gastroenterology, rheumatology, dermatology, oncology, respiratory and hematology.

Jennifer has worked on a variety of global initiatives for Schering-Plough's REMICADE®, an advanced biologic agent that provides substantial benefits in patients that suffer from a number of inflammatory disorders involving the immune system. She has assisted with the planning and implementation of pan-European Roundtable discussions that featured patients and leading physicians, and she continues to provide communications support for multiple international scientific congresses related to the rheumatology, gastroenterology and dermatology franchises. Jennifer has also provided meeting planning, media relations and strategic support to various clients in the face of controversial FDA decisions that would inherently affect their product lines.

By providing media outreach support and public relations activities for both CSL Behring and the Yul Brynner Head and Neck Cancer Foundation, Jennifer helped build public awareness of von Willebrand Disease, the most common hereditary bleeding disorder caused by a deficiency of the von Willebrand factor, 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.

Nicole Nixon

Account Executive

As an Account Executive at MCS, Nicole supports the development and implementation of corporate and media relations campaigns for clients such as Schering-Plough Corporation, Genentech, and Sciele Pharma, Inc. Past clients include Auxilium Pharmaceuticals.

Nicole's work at MCS has included assistance in the development of product and crisis communications plans for pharmaceutical and biotech products in the fields of cardiology, endocrinology, dermatology, and neurology.

Since joining MCS, Nicole has conducted strategic media outreach for potential pipeline drugs, national and international initiatives, and public awareness campaigns. For Genentech she has assisted in promotion of education and symptom recognition for stroke and stroke treatment. In this grassroots media campaign, she has secured media placement within local and regional print and broadcast outlets.

Prior to joining MCS, Nicole worked at Winning Strategies Public Relations as an Account Coordinator. There she worked with a variety of accounts on initiatives spanning from corporate communications, consumer media relations, grassroots public relations and public awareness campaigns. During her tenure, Nicole managed account projects and campaigns while building strong relationships with clients and media. She was successful in gaining numerous regional television, radio, and print media placements for clients.

Nicole graduated magna cum laude from Montclair State University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication Studies with a concentration in Public Relations.