49er Industry Chats: Exploring Careers in Health Care and Public Relations

Adjunct Assistant Professor, New York University

An expert in public relations, marketing and health care, Michael Durand has worked as outside counsel for both large and small biopharmaceutical companies and medical organizations and has advised clients around the world on advocacy, brand strategies and enlisting public support for health issues. After 35 years in public relations, he pivoted to education and is currently an adjunct assistant professor in the Integrated Marketing and Communications Department at New York University. Michael was the founding director of Porter Novelli’s Global Health Care Practice and later was managing director of health care strategy and planning for Ogilvy Public Relations. He has directed communications and corporate positioning assignments for Amgen, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Novartis, Pfizer and other health care companies; and has advised organizations including the American Medical Association and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on health education programs and messaging. He holds a Masters in Health Communications from Boston University as well as a graduate diploma from UCLA in public relations and a BA in Political Science from, Cal State, Long Beach.