Episode Description

In this episode of scientifica sessions, host Tabari Baker (Founder & CEO, kronos scientifica) tackles one of the most persistent—and consequential—tensions in life sciences: the complicated relationship between Medical Affairs and Commercial. Too often it’s a “love–hate” dynamic fueled by shared stakeholders, unclear roles, conflicting metrics, and leadership misalignment. When it works, the field moves in lockstep. When it doesn’t, everyone feels it—especially HCPs.

Tabari is joined by two guests who live this challenge from different angles:

• Patrina Pellett, Co-CEO of MSL Mastery, who trains Medical Affairs teams on field excellence, communication, and cross-functional collaboration.

• Chase Wasson, a commercial executive with ~17 years across pharma, diagnostics, and medtech, who has seen collaboration drive real wins—and watched it break down when strategy and process aren’t aligned.

Together, they unpack the real root causes behind friction: “owning” the HCP relationship (and the turf wars it creates), the lack of role clarity during onboarding, and how leadership mindset trickles down into day-to-day behavior.

Chase argues that when strategy is aligned from the top, process follows—making ownership conflicts far easier to resolve. Patrina adds a powerful insight: collaboration failures often mirror how leaders talk about (and model) cross-functional partnership.

The conversation gets practical fast. You’ll hear actionable frameworks and behaviors that reduce conflict and build trust, including:

• How to create clarity on “who does what” without diminishing either function
• Why empathy matters—and how simply understanding your partner’s metrics changes everything
• How Medical can avoid being perceived as the “no police” by shifting language from “No” to “How do we get to a shared solution?”
• Why MSLs need stronger “soft skills” training (and why commercial teams often have an advantage here)
• The underrated power of follow-up—and how missing it quietly erodes credibility and internal trust
• How commercial partners can better “position” MSLs with customers by introducing their expertise clearly and confidently

They also touch on the evolving landscape and why changing rules only increases the need for tighter alignment across Medical, Commercial, and Marketing.

If you’ve ever said “that’s my KOL,” felt steamrolled by another function, or struggled to coordinate around the same HCPs—this episode is your playbook. 

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Connect with Patrina and Chase

📧 [email protected]

📧 [email protected]
🔗 LinkedIn: Patrina Pellet, PhD & Chase Wasson

📩 Connect with the show: [email protected]

Music Credits

1. 0:07:06 - Transliminal
2. 00:15:46 - Crystalize
3. 00:35:21 - Panic at the Frisco

Episode recorded on October 14, 2025.  All information shared is current as of the recording date.