On Thursday, October 23, 2025, students in the Master of Business and Science (MBS) “Market Assessment and Analysis for Business and Science” class attended a session in the Life Science Guest Speaker Series featuring Pamela Landis, Senior Vice President of Digital Engagement at Hackensack Meridian Health. This series, organized by Professor Mark Burgess, connects students with industry leaders who share first-hand insights on the intersection of science, business, marketing, and innovation. Students from all MBS concentrations are invited to join this series via Zoom.
Landis led an interactive discussion on leadership, organizational dynamics, and digital transformation within the healthcare sector.
About the Speaker
Pam Landis began by sharing her professional journey. Currently, she serves as Senior Vice President of Digital Engagement at Hackensack Meridian Health. She has previously worked in Clinical PR and Marketing at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, where she managed communications for several Nobel Prize-winning researchers whose work directly improved patient outcomes.
The Four Domains of Consumer Digital Strategy
Landis discussed the four core domains of consumer digital strategy employed by Hackensack Meridian Health, aiming to create a smooth experience for patients and consumers:
- Digital Acquisition – Using digital media to acquire patients through tools like digital marketing, search engine marketing and optimization, precision/targeted marketing.
- Digital Activation – Encouraging consumers to take meaningful actions, finding a doctor, or seeking information.
- Digital Access and Service – Making it easier for patients to schedule appointments.
- Digital Health Adoption – Keeping patients engaged through the use of virtual care technology, making it easier for them to manage their care.
Together, these domains work in harmony to create a unified, patient-centric digital experience.
A Lifebook for Innovators
Landis recommended The Innovator’s Dilemma by Clayton Christensen, a renowned Harvard professor and researcher, as essential reading for anyone interested in innovation and growth. She described it as a “lifebook,” a guide not just for building successful products but also for shaping one’s personal and professional journey.
What We Learn from Different Work Environments
Landis reflected on the differences between working in large organizations and smaller companies or startups.
In large, complex organizations, professionals learn the company’s mission, values, and business model while aligning with shared goals through collaboration and communication. Working in such settings offers structure and protection, but also requires adaptability and teamwork to move collectively toward common goals.
By contrast, in smaller companies, individuals often wear multiple hats. To thrive, one must be a multitasker proficient in several domains and ready to take on diverse challenges to become an asset to the organization.
“The jobs that exist today might not even exist ten years from now,” Landis said, emphasizing the importance of continually learning new skills.
From Self-Doubt to Self-Confidence: Lessons from Pamela Landis
During the Q&A portion, one student asked how to market oneself when pivoting between roles or industries. Landis encouraged students to overcome self-doubt.
“Get rid of the imposter syndrome. If they’ve asked you to do something, they already believe you can do it. Understand that you are enough.”
She advised taking initiative and volunteering for new opportunities.
“If you have the foundational skills to be creative, collaborative, communicative, and think critically, you can succeed in any domain where you have some technical expertise.”
When another student asked what she looks for in pitches from companies, Landis replied, “Know the business. Don’t come in thinking you can save it. Identify a specific pain point your product or service can uniquely solve.”
This session was unique in Professor Burgess’s Life Science Guest Speaker Series because it encouraged insightful conversation between the speaker and students. Students walked away with practical insights into leadership, adaptability, and confidence—skills that are crucial across every industry.
Special thanks to Pamela Landis for sharing her time, experience, and perspective with the Rutgers MBS community.
To learn more about upcoming events in this series, visit our Events page or follow us on LinkedIn, X (Twitter), Facebook, and Instagram.