Doug Michels has spent the last five years building
OraSure Technologies in Bethlehem into an industry leader. The oral and fluid diagnostics company has particularly made its mark with its award-winning HIV testing kits and devices. Recently, Washington came calling to tap Michels’ considerable abilities.
Michels was named last month to the
Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS (PACHA). President Obama noted on National HIV Testing Day last summer that every nine-and-a-half minutes, an American is infected with HIV, and his Office of National AIDS Policy figures to become more active with the institution of PACHA.
Prior to joining OraSure in June, 2004, Michels spent 19 years with Johnson & Johnson, presiding over both medical devices and diagnostic units, and seven more at Abbot Laboratories. The industry veteran was humbled by his selection to PACHA and is anxious to contribute to what should be a high-profile initiative.
Keystone Edge (KE): What was the swearing-in ceremony like?Doug Michels (DM): It was very nice, formal obviously. Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius actually presided over the ceremony and welcomed the council. We did take an oath, right on the grounds of the White House. Secretary Sebelius was representing the President and spoke to his commitment to the development of a national AIDS strategy and spoke to the importance of the President’s Advisory Council, which will act as an advisory body helping to inform her office and the President about the most important topics and issues.
KE: How will the advisory council operate?DM: The President has said one of his top policy priorities is development and implementation of a national strategy. He indicated there are three primary goals for a national HIV/AIDS strategy and they are: to reduce HIV incidence, increase access to care and optimize health outcomes, and to reduce HIV-related health disparities. I think it’s great to the extent that we can get real specific to achieve each of these three goals, not only for the people working in the federal government but for healthcare providers throughout the country.
KE: What expertise do you think you can bring to the council?DM: The council has a very diverse group of professionals. There are physicians, scientists, researchers, individuals living with HIV and individuals who represent advocacy groups. I’m on a committee representing an industry viewpoint. Everyone on the council is very passionate about HIV and AIDS, to serve and to make a difference. What I bring is 25 years plus in healthcare and with arguably some of the best healthcare products companies in the world. I’ve managed large business on a global scale, and that requires clear strategy, clear communication of that strategy, and making sure everybody involved in the effort knows what the priorities are.
Equally important is to make sure organizations and people have resources to fulfill their missions. From my leadership experience, hopefully I can bring that to bear, whether it’s prevention or treatment or access to care. I have very specific experience in the diagnostic area, so I’m keenly aware of the issues around building awareness around HIV risk, and I’m familiar with different diagnostic methodologies. One of the main reasons I came to OraSure was because I know how important it is to have the right tool for the right job.
KE: What do you personally feel is important to address?DM: We have to continue to expand awareness and education, reduce the stigma associated with HIV. I believe to increase awareness that it’s an STD, we need to educate how people can prevent it themselves. Also, we need to educate at-risk people that it’s important to know your status so if they are HIV-positive, they can get connected to care. Early intervention in HIV infection can lead to the best possible outcomes. As therapies continue to improve, hopefully someday we can eliminate this disease, but it’s got to start now.
KE: What is OraSure working on now that might contribute to these efforts?DM: We have a lot going in our efforts to secure FDA approval to begin selling our HIV test over the counter. We’re in the process of submitting a draft protocol for our final studies. That’s a very exciting opportunity, and we think it’s an important product in our efforts to continue fighting HIV and AIDS. The product, assuming it’s approved, would be made available at retail pharmacies. Right now, you can only buy an HIV collection kit (over the counter), and inside there’s a filter paper and lancet and you prick your finger and put blood on the paper and mail it out to a lab. Within several days there’s a phone number to call to get test results. There’s no rapid infectious disease test available for sale over the counter, so this is groundbreaking.
Joe Petrucci is managing editor of Keystone Edge. Send feedback here.To receive Keystone Edge free every week, click
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