40 Under 40: Sarah Francis, pharmaceutical representative

Sarah Francis

AGE: 36

FAMILY: Two teenagers, Faith and Christopher

EMPLOYER: Johnson and Johnson

POSITION: Professional pharmaceutical sales representative

COMMUNITY AND PROFESSIONAL INVOLVEMENT: Girls Outdoor Adventure Leadership (GOAL) Camp Truth (a VOX/GOAL Girls' Program sponsored by Kaiser Permanente) -- volunteer/professional mentor for girls facing medical and other life challenges. Camp allows them to cast off societal labels that are one-dimensional and reclaim the full breadth of their identity. Also fundraiser/volunteer for Youth Drug Rehabilitation Program of Missouri; fundraiser for Memphis Area Musician Charitable Scholarship; fundraiser for Kidney Foundation; volunteer/former legal advocate for Missouri Coalition Against Domestic Violence; member/volunteer for ZONTA of Cape Girardeau.

HER TYPICAL DAY:

I travel every day, covering all of Southeast Missouri as a pharmaceutical rep for J&J. It takes an average of 1.5 hours to my first stop daily. I engage in clinical discussions with doctors, nurses and pharmacists about the products J&J offers for their patients. I typically travel an average of 200 miles per day. J&J operates under a CREDO of core beliefs and traditions, which challenges us to put the needs and well-being of the people we serve first -- our doctors, our nurses and our patients. As a part of this responsibility, I spend a great amount of time continuing my education and expertise on the disease states my products are designed to treat. This means extensive testing and training several times per year in areas like New York, Orlando, Kansas City, St. Louis and Chicago.

MOST SATISFYING PART OF HER WORK:

Hearing how my products saved a life and the genuineness of the doctors, nurses and pharmacists who work in Southeast Missouri. They are sincere in their desire to provide the best medical care to their patients and they have hearts of gold. I've seen my doctors act with great compassion during devastating storms in the area, on mission trips, and in the office hugging their patients who are dealing with a crisis. I love being able to share in those experiences and I also love when they tell me how the drug I carry in my bag saved one of their patient's lives. I've worked in several parts of the country -- I can tell you that I've never seen greater action on the part of physicians than I have in Missouri. I'm grateful to have the privilege of doing what I do everyday.

HER WORST HAIRSTYLE:

One summer I decided to cut my hair short and perm it. Need I say more? I destroyed all pictures, so don't bother looking for them.

HER FAVORITE SONG FROM THE '80s:

"Never Tear Us Apart" by INXS or Billy Joel's "Uptown Girl"

HER BIGGEST FIRST-DAY BLOOPER:

I was discussing a study with an emergency room physician. He asked me what method they used to collect the bacteria from the patient's sinus cavity. I should have said "antral tap," also known as a sinus puncture. Instead, let's just say I said something different. The doctor responded, "I bet they couldn't find a lot of study volunteers for that method -- that's kind of the long way around, wouldn't you say?" I caught myself and replied, "Yes, we have now switched to a much more successful method of sinus puncture," and smiled. He laughed and said "Good comeback." It was my first day on the job -- I was nervous -- but I never used the wrong word again.