Executive Director, Global Vaccines Policy Strategy & Partnerships, Merck & Co. Inc.
Joan Benson, leads evidence-based policy strategy and strategic partnerships for MSD Global Vaccines, working with global public health leaders and stakeholders to ensure sustainable global access to MSD’s diverse portfolio including HPV, pneumococcal, paediatric, Ebola and pipeline vaccines. She has extensive experience engaging with country governments and global health organisations, including WHO, Gavi, UNICEF, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Clinton Health Access Initiative and PATH.
Dr Benson is passionate about expanding access to vaccines globally. She is motivated to help achieve global health equity through access to vaccines and vaccination, and by supporting global public health agendas, including the Immunization Agenda 2030 and elimination of HPV-related diseases, starting with cervical cancer.
From 2020-2021, Dr Benson was the IFPMA representative to the Gavi Programme & Policy Committee. Prior to joining MSD, she was a practicing physician, and later worked at the Stamford Public Health Department, Connecticut. With more than 25 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry, Dr Benson has held several positions in Pharmacovigilance, Medical Affairs and the MSD Company Foundation as co-lead for MSD partnership on HIV/AIDS with the Government of Botswana and Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
Dr Benson holds a degree in Medicine from the College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Nigeria and a master’s degree in Public Health from Harvard University
Last updated: 17 Feb 2023