DIRECTIONS – Lauren Harbert
We’re launching exciting new Focus features
Hello LTEN community and Happy New Year! I hope that your holiday season was joyous and filled with family, friends and lasting memories.
Last year was bittersweet for my family, marked by significant changes. We spent a lot of time pondering the blessings and, unfortunately, the heartaches in our world. Do me a favor and give your loved ones an extra hug today.
As we start a new year, my hope is that you return with an energized, renewed spirit filled with excitement for all that 2024 will bring. LTEN is “leveling up” in 2024 and I challenge you to do the same!
This January, we are excited to launch several new programs and opportunities. We’re filling out our year with more live events and mixers – the perfect chance to network with your peers and spend time on personal and professional development. Take a look at the LTEN calendar; I know you’ll find an event in your area, and I hope to see you there.
There are three new, exciting things I’d like to highlight and share more about –you’ll find them here in this issue and in future issues of LTEN Focus on Training magazine. I hope you’ll check them out as you flip through this issue.
More Voices
If you started reading at the beginning of this issue, you’ve already seen one of the changes. This year, Greg Adamson of Olympus Americas, our LTEN Board of Directors president, has decided to share his column space with some other LTEN leaders. Greg will continue to check in with you and share his thoughts quarterly. In the remaining two issues of each quarter, you’ll find columns from other LTEN board members and LTEN committee members. It’s a great way to share broader perspectives and connect you with the work other LTEN members are doing.
Mark Butsavage of B. Braun Medical kicks off this new plan with his LTEN Committee column, where he tells you about the work of the LTEN Ambassador Committee to onboard new members of our network. If you haven’t already read it, please do.
Related to this “More Voices” section, I hope you’ll notice several first-time Focus authors in this issue. We’ve been reaching out regularly for LTEN members to write for us, and thanks to the many of you who did. Feel free to reach out to us anytime if you want to write for Focus — we want to hear from you, too!
More People
The next element is on the next page from this column – go look if you want a spoiler (but come right back!).
Another exciting program that we’re introducing in 2024, and for the first time in this issue, is honoring those who honor us with their good work. As you may know, since 2015 we’ve honored several LTEN members annually as Members of the Year. These are the people who go above and beyond to support the organization– as writers for
Focus, as committee leaders, as workshop presenters or reviewers, as sponsors and as true LTEN promoters. We’ll continue to recognize those folks annually, but we aren’t going to wait so long to say a simple thank you.
This year, we will be recognizing and honoring a Volunteer of the Month. This individual is, again, someone who goes above and beyond for LTEN in a variety of ways. Look for the Volunteer of the Month page in each issue of Focus and follow along on our website as we recognize someone each month and add them to the 2024 roster.
With all that said, it’s my honor to introduce you to our first Volunteer of the Month, Erica Sambraus, associate director, omnichannel engagement skills for Novartis.
Erica has been an LTEN member for five years. And it’s been a busy five years –Erica in that time has volunteered her time writing articles for Focus, speaking on webinars, assisting with charity activities, attending LTEN event, recruiting members and assisting as a member of the LTEN Editorial Advisory Board and the LTEN Field Trainer Committee.
“I’ve been so incredibly grateful to have been supported by some of the most giving, talented, inspiring mentors throughout my career. And the way I see it, LTEN is the one ‘giving back’ so much to the learning community,” Erica said. “This organization offers training professionals the opportunity to connect and learn from each other, to grow and develop, and in turn, to equip, empower and inspire thousands and thousands of associates across the industry – educating providers and touching the lives of countless patients across the globe. The effect is exponential.”
Erica, thank you for all that you do for LTEN!
More Fun
OK, let’s go out on a high note. We’re going to need your help.
Toward the end of this magazine, on the last page of editorial content, you’ll find the final of the three new items I promised you: The Last Laugh. The name is just what you’d think – we’re wrapping up this issue by sharing the lighter side of life sciences training.
Sometimes, a simple smile or laugh can turn even the toughest of days around and we hope to provide this opportunity to you with The Last Laugh. We’ve asked(and will keep asking) LTEN members to share their own fun stories from the training world.
Did something funny happen in a class? Did a colleague make a humorous comment? Did something go wrong but you’ve decided laughing about it beats crying over it? We’ve all been there … let’s lift everyone’s spirits. If something brought a smile to your face or made you stop and giggle, please share with us.
You don’t have to be a professional writer either … tell us the story however you’re comfortable and we’ll help pull it together. And no worries about confidentiality –we’ll omit names as needed.
I hope The Last Laugh leaves you with a smile on your face. Watch for more fun anecdotes from your peers in future Focus issues.
All Done
I hope that you will enjoy the new components of this magazine as you read through this first issue of 2024. Please keep LTEN and Focus in mind throughout the year — whether it’s sharing an article, your time or a laugh.. Have a wonderful January and stay tuned for more exciting changes here at LTEN as we level up in the new year!
Lauren Harbert is executive director of LTEN. Email Lauren at lharbert@L-TEN.org or connect with her through linkedin.com/in/lauren-harbert-25373b35.
