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AstraZeneca’s focus on patients, science reaps rewards
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t the Mississauga offices of AstraZeneca Canada Inc., a series of striking images tells the stories of Canadian patients, many of whom are benefitting from the biopharmaceutical company’s medicines. Among others, there’s Gary, a photographer, who has been treated for prostate cancer and severe coronary thrombosis, and Deanne, a young mother, who is living with asthma.
“These patient stories help remind us of our central purpose as an organization,” says Greer Hozack, executive director of human resources and corporate communications at AstraZeneca Canada. “It’s what helps differentiate us as a company—we have a values-based culture and unrelenting focus on putting patients first and following the science.” Not only do patients appear on posters, they also come into the company to share their health care journey of learning to live with a disease. After a breast cancer patient recently spoke at an employee town hall, there wasn’t a dry eye in the room, according to Hozack.
“Our purpose is very simple – the patient. It’s what unites and inspires us to continually strive for excellence.” – Carlo Mastrangelo, Communications Director
“She thanked everyone for any role they played in bringing a key medicine to life. People leave those sessions reminded of why they work at AstraZeneca and the important mission we have,” says Hozack, who used to be a nurse
ASTRAZENECA CANADA PRESIDENT ELAINE CAMPBELL (SECOND FROM LEFT) AFTER EMPLOYEE TOWN-HALL MEETING
before returning to school to study business. “Whatever your role in the company, we make sure that we’re connecting you to the science.” “Each of us could have chosen a different career path or industry,” says communications director Carlo Mastrangelo. “But we have chosen a very noble path in health care. At the heart of everything we do is improving the lives of millions of people across Canada and around the globe.” As well as patients, AstraZeneca regularly brings in top health care professionals to speak about how disease areas like diabetes, asthma and oncology are evolving. “It’s important for us to understand the challenges our customers and patients are facing day-to-day, as well as for them to see some of the exciting
300
1,610
574
79
charities helped last year
staff volunteer hours last year
full-time staff in Canada
jobs posted last year
breakthroughs we’re making at AstraZeneca and what this will mean for patients,” says Mastrangelo. “Our purpose is very simple – the patient. It’s what unites and inspires us to continually strive for excellence,” he says. Another important factor that both Hozack and Mastrangelo say distinguishes AstraZeneca is its commitment to making a difference in the community. The company has a robust volunteer program that supports employee volunteerism and
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fundraising activities. This includes matching charitable donations and providing employees with annual paid days off, on which they can choose to volunteer in a capacity that is most meaningful to them. On top of this, employees come together to volunteer as teams. Across the country, many volunteer and collaborate on their annual Community Connection Day to make a difference in support of youth activities. This is often carried out in in partnership with Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada.