In an industry where innovation can redefine lives, Joanne Jervis stands out as a leader with an unshakeable focus on patient outcomes and healthcare transformation. As Managing Director and Head of the Specialty Business Division at Daiichi Sankyo Italia, a company rooted in 120 years of pharmaceutical expertise, Joanne has not only embraced the challenges of advancing modern medicine but has championed a culture that places patients and employees at the core of everything the company does.
Joanne’s career path didn’t follow a conventional route. Hailing from Scotland and trained initially in podiatric medicine, she began her journey as a clinical podiatrist. Her early years in patient care left a lasting mark, shaping her approach and instilling a deep empathy that continues to guide her work in pharmaceuticals. Transitioning from clinical practice to the corporate side of healthcare, she brought with her a sense of purpose: to put patients at the heart of healthcare innovation. Over the past 25 years, she’s worked in the UK, Ireland, and across Europe, and in each role, she’s carried this patient-first commitment forward.
Now, at Daiichi Sankyo, she leads a specialty division focused on bringing innovative treatments to the Italian market. But her mission is bigger than product delivery; it’s about fostering a culture where every team member feels empowered to drive change.
A Collaborative Approach to Leadership
Joanne’s leadership style reflects her belief that people, not products, are the bedrock of progress. She builds on a simple but powerful principle: empower people, and they will achieve remarkable things. At Daiichi Sankyo, Joanne is known for her focus on trust, transparency, and integrity. These values aren’t just words in a corporate handbook; they’re woven into how she manages teams, nurtures talent, and drives results.
Instead of a top-down approach, she fosters collaboration. Joanne encourages her team to bring ideas forward, challenge assumptions, and take risks. She values every perspective and believes that each person in her organization has a role in pushing boundaries. “It’s not enough to have the right products,” Joanne says. “We need the right people, in the right environment, making decisions that put the patient first.”
Her focus on collaboration isn’t limited to internal teams. Joanne’s efforts extend to building partnerships with stakeholders across the healthcare spectrum, from clinicians to policymakers. This interconnected approach helps Daiichi Sankyo develop treatments that not only address patient needs but also align with the demands and constraints of healthcare systems. For Joanne, the ultimate goal is to create accessible and effective solutions for everyone.
Championing Innovation beyond Medicine
Joanne joined Daiichi Sankyo drawn by the company’s entrepreneurial spirit. While many companies talk about innovation, Joanne saw in Daiichi Sankyo a commitment to action. This philosophy resonated with her own belief that innovation should be woven into every part of the business—not only in the labs but also in day-to-day operations and relationships with customers.
The company’s pipeline, particularly in oncology, is an area where Joanne sees immense potential to impact patient lives. She’s excited about new treatment options that bring hope to patients battling complex diseases. Yet, she views innovation as more than launching new drugs. To her, it’s about how they reach patients, address real needs, and integrate into healthcare systems.
She also stresses that innovation should align with social responsibility. Joanne has been instrumental in advancing Daiichi Sankyo’s initiatives in environmental sustainability, corporate responsibility, and supporting local communities. Her role goes beyond healthcare, embodying a broader mission: to build a company that does well by doing good.
Building Sustainable Healthcare Partnerships
In an industry where access often determines impact, Joanne and her team understand that even the most groundbreaking treatment holds little value if patients can’t access it. This realization has shaped Daiichi Sankyo’s strategy under her leadership. Rather than simply introducing new products, she champions a model where the company collaborates closely with payors, healthcare providers, and policymakers.
These partnerships allow Daiichi Sankyo to develop treatments that are not only innovative but also sustainable. Joanne’s approach reflects an awareness that systemic issues, like healthcare costs and infrastructure limitations, can hinder access to medicine. By working together with stakeholders, her team aims to make treatments available to all patients, not just those with the best access.
This strategic approach—balancing innovation with access—ensures that Daiichi Sankyo’s treatments provide maximum value to healthcare systems and patients alike. In Joanne’s view, it’s not just about launching a product; it’s about making sure it reaches the people who need it most.
Integrity as a Core Value
Joanne’s commitment to integrity runs through every aspect of her work. She believes that transparency, honesty, and empathy are essential to building a culture of trust within the organization. This isn’t a simple “corporate value”; for Joanne, it’s a mindset she practices daily.
She promotes an open environment where team members feel safe to speak up, take calculated risks, and learn from their mistakes. She’s convinced that without psychological safety, innovation stalls. A work culture that values integrity and inclusivity is one where employees feel empowered to explore new ideas, ask challenging questions, and contribute to the company’s mission.
Integrity also informs Joanne’s approach to inclusivity. She is a strong advocate for diversity, believing that different perspectives make the company stronger. In her view, an inclusive culture is more than a policy—it’s a strategic advantage that enables the company to adapt, evolve, and stay resilient in a rapidly changing world.
Balancing Passion with Self-Care
For a leader with such a strong sense of purpose, Joanne is also pragmatic about the challenges of maintaining balance. She acknowledges that healthcare, with its high stakes and constant pressure, can easily lead to burnout. But she’s learned that sustainable performance requires balance.
Joanne leads by example, encouraging her team to prioritize self-care, find time for family, and pursue interests outside work. She believes that a well-rounded life fuels creativity, resilience, and long-term success. Her approach underscores a simple truth: if you don’t take care of yourself, you can’t take care of others.
This balanced perspective is what helps Joanne keep her team motivated, focused, and energized. She knows that her team’s well-being is central to Daiichi Sankyo’s mission and that achieving balance isn’t just about productivity—it’s about sustaining a meaningful career.
Looking Ahead: Shaping the Future of Healthcare
As Joanne continues to lead Daiichi Sankyo Italia, her vision for the future is clear. She sees a healthcare industry where collaboration and innovation aren’t just aspirations but daily practices. Her focus remains on advancing patient-centered solutions, fostering an inclusive work environment, and creating value for the broader healthcare ecosystem.
For Joanne, every challenge is an opportunity to push boundaries. Her leadership reflects the belief that true progress comes when people are empowered to think differently, work collaboratively, and act with integrity. As healthcare faces an era of unprecedented change, Joanne Jervis is poised to lead Daiichi Sankyo into a future that’s not just innovative but also inclusive, responsible, and sustainable.
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