Pharmaceutical & Healthcare Management and Innovation (G.Dip PHMI)

For the Virtual Open House Recording, click here.
Passcode: PHMI2025!

The Graduate Diploma in Pharmaceutical & Healthcare Management and Innovation is designed to enhance the competitiveness and employability of graduates pursuing careers in the pharmaceutical and related health industries.

This program combines coursework and practical experience, equipping students with the necessary knowledge, skills, and experience to excel in early careers and beyond. It is tailored for recent graduates in health and science sectors (MD, PhD, PharmD) from Canada and internationally.

Program Highlights:

A six-month paid internship
Course content developed by industry experts
Engagement with health sector professionals
Team-based discussions and case studies
Mentorship and networking opportunities

Program Contacts

Program Director
Dr. Chandra Tayade
Department of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences

Program Assistant (for application queries)
Mary White (mary.white@queensu.ca)

Apply

Opportunities

The program is designed to enhance industry or institutional experience, practical knowledge of medical innovation commercialization, and business acumen, thereby strengthening the competitiveness of applicants for early-stage industrial career opportunities.

Through coursework, students will interact with pharmaceutical and health industry experts, engage in real-world case studies, and develop teamwork and problem-solving skills.

The industry internship offers full-time immersion with an employer in the private or government sectors, providing valuable hands-on experience and application of acquired knowledge.

Career Paths

Graduates will be equipped to pursue advanced career opportunities in the broader health sector, including:

Corporations (e.g., pharmaceutical/medical device companies, contract research organizations, private insurance/pharmacy benefit management companies, or health service corporations providing biopharmaceutical and commercial outsourcing services)
Entrepreneurial ventures (e.g., start-up companies)
Federal health departments and agencies (e.g., Health Canada, the Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health)
Provincial health ministries

Degrees Offered

Graduate Diploma in Pharmaceutical & Healthcare Management and Innovation

Method of Completion

The program will be 10 months in duration. Students will complete two online courses over one academic term, followed by a six month, full-time paid internship position with an external partner. It is anticipated that internship start dates will be in January, but earlier/later start dates are possible.

Successful completion of the online courses is a requirement for progression into the internship.

Term 1 (4 months) complete:

Online – PHMI 871 (3.0 units) – Healthcare Innovation and Development
Online – PHMI 872 (3.0 units) – Healthcare Management and Commercialization

Term 2 (6 months) complete:

Internship – PHMI 873 (6.0 units) – Internship in Healthcare Management & Innovation

Faculty

Babak Abbaszadeh, Vice President, Global Medical General Medicine, Amgen
Rima Al-awar, Senior Advisor, Ontario Institute for Cancer Research (OICR)
Patricia Folkins, Principal and Patent Agent, Smart & Biggar, LP
Mark McGovern, Medical Science Liaison, Merck Canada
Elaine Vandenberg, Vandenberg Quality Consulting
Rocelyn DelCarmen, Senior Regulatory Affairs Director, Oncology, AstraZeneca
Lorenzo Biondi, Consultant, Past Vice President Medical and Regulatory Affairs, Roche
Paul Brennan, Chief Business Officer, Eupraxia
Vita Peri, Strategic Planning Director, Business Analytics, Ipsen
Tina Maio-Twofoot, Head of International Medical Affairs, In-Market Brands, Novartis
Shikha Virdi, Director, Government Relations, Policy & Healthcare Ecosystem, Roche
Lindsey Sales, Customer Engagement Director, Roche
Lori Yin, Access Lead, Roche
Ian Kallmeyer, Pharma/Biotech Consultant

Academic Prerequisites, Deadlines, Fees & Funding

Academic Prerequisites

MD, PharmD, or PhD in biomedical, pharmaceutical, public health sciences, or engineering from a recognized university
Minimum A- standing in the highest obtained degree
Curriculum Vitae detailing relevant academic, extracurricular, or work experience
Minimum of two references familiar with the candidate’s academic and/or professional performance
Personal Statement outlining alignment of program objectives with career aspirations (details are provided in the Application Portal)
(Domestic, non-sponsored applicants only) Canadian Citizenship or Permanent Residence

Test Requirements

English Language Proficiency: English is the language of instruction at Queen’s University and candidates must be able to communicate competently in English, both orally and in writing. Therefore, applicants whose native languages do not include English will be required to obtain satisfactory standing in an English Language Proficiency Test as part of the application process, and before final acceptance is granted as per School of Graduate Studies regulations.

Key Dates & Deadline

Application Deadline: June 1st for a September 1^st start. If you are eligible and interested in our programs, please submit your online application via the School of Graduate Studies

NB: International applicants would only be eligible to apply if the internship position can be secured without the requirement for a work permit in the country where the internship position would be taking place.

Fees

Application Fee: $120
Program Tuition Fee:
- Domestic - $13,500 CAD
- International - $31,907 CAD

Learning Outcomes

Acquire and apply knowledge of historical approaches to, and contributions of, medical innovation to identify potential future directions of medical innovation and processes for commercialization.
Develop a broad understanding of the regulatory and compliance landscape in Canada and beyond to support approval of new therapeutics.
Gain exposure to leading roles in private or institutional healthcare organizations to build an understanding of the many scientific, medical, and commercial functions of these organizations, their responsibilities, and how they interface to develop and commercialize healthcare innovations.
Identify and utilize required professional skills to successfully interact with key stakeholders, colleagues, and customers in the healthcare ecosystem.

Grad Maps

View the Grad Maps for this department and all graduate degrees on the Career Services website

Frequently Asked Questions

Am I guaranteed an internship in industry if I am accepted into the PHMI program?

Yes! Every student we accept will interview with companies from the private healthcare sector interested in hiring them for the six-month internship.

How are applicants selected for the PHMI Diploma program?

Following the deadline, the Admissions Committee will review all completed applications. A selection of candidates will be interviewed by the Admissions Committee over video call or may be asked to travel to Queen’s University for an in-person interview. Candidates will be notified of their acceptance into the program within two weeks following the interview.

How is the program organized?

The course portion of the program runs from September to mid-December. During this time, students take two online courses over 14 weeks. Interviews with companies will also take place at this time. Students will be matched with companies no later than December. Internships begin in January, and are six months long.

Can I remain with my current employer/University while taking the online course portion of the program?

Yes. You may remain at your current position until the internship begins.

How is my internship chosen?

You will be invited to interview with companies interested in hiring you as an intern. The intern-company matching process takes into account the preferences of the companies as well as the students.

Which companies are offering internships?

The list of companies taking interns for the PHMI program changes every year, as does the number of interns each company takes. Many are well-known global firms with Canadian headquarters.

Where will the internship take place?

The most likely locations for the internship are Toronto, Ontario and Montréal, Québec. Other locations across Canada are possible.
What type of internship is offered?

Each company ultimately decides where to place the intern based on their needs. Possible roles include Medical Affairs, Regulatory, Market Access, Reimbursement, Pharmacovigilance, and healthcare consulting.

I am currently working for a healthcare company. Can I do my internship with them?

Yes; if your company agrees to hire you for the six-month duration of the internship, you may remain with them. Please mention this in the appropriate section of the application. Applicants will need to provide proof that the internship has been secured prior to being accepted into the program.

Can international students apply to this program?

International students are only eligible for the PHMI program if they can secure an internship with their current employer (see previous question). Otherwise, only Canadian Citizens and Permanent Residents of Canada are eligible.

Do the references for my application have to be academic/appointed faculty?

No; in fact you are encouraged to submit professional references (from industry or other employers) if possible.

Is the PHMI program eligible for OSAP funding?

YES. As of 2020, PHMI is eligible for OSAP.

How much does the internship pay?

Each company agrees to pay interns a minimum of $25,000 for the six-month internship.

Can I remain with the company following the six-month internship?

Yes; however that decision is up to the company, not the University.