Letticia Atkins feels right at home at BioMarin. Growing up in San Diego, in what she describes as a “big Mexican family,” Letticia learned from a young age how to manage different personalities, balance competing interests and keep people she cares about together, healthy and happy.  

Now, as the head of BioMarin’s Field Based Clinical Support team for the company’s Enzyme Therapies business unit, Letticia brings those same skills to help her team strike the balance they need to best serve families with rare genetic conditions. 

“Engaging directly with patients and their families is a privilege that our team takes very seriously,” says Letticia. “Supporting my team both at work and in their personal lives so they can continue to play this important role is my top priority.” 

As part of our employee profile series, “The DNA of BioMarin,” we’re drawing inspiration from the four bases that constitute DNA – A (adenine), T (thymine), C (cytosine) and G (guanine) – by asking employees to reflect on the role that Aspiration, Translation, Connection and Gratitude play in their everyday work.     

Learn more about how Letticia looks at her colleagues and the patients her team supports as part of her “big family.”  

ASPIRATION
How did you get your start in the biopharma industry? What do you aspire to accomplish through your work at BioMarin and in your career?

At 24 years old, I began my career in pharmaceutical sales, with a focus on hospital sales. When I joined BioMarin in 2018, I was excited to apply that experience at a company that had such a strong reputation for putting patients first. The fact that we focus on rare conditions was also a big draw for me. 

BioMarin is about the size of a mid-sized community hospital, in terms of number of employees. Yet our focus and dedication to rare and genetically defined conditions allow us to help people all around the world. This means our impact is exponentially broader, and often we help people with no or limited options. 

Our team’s role working directly with individuals who receive our therapies in the U.S. to support their treatment journeys is so unique. We are grateful for the opportunity to help at such a personal level. Our aspiration is to be the gold standard for this work and continue setting the bar in our industry.  

CONNECTION
What role does connection play at BioMarin?

Being part of the LatinX Employee Resource Group (ERG), among other ERGs at BioMarin, has given me exposure to colleagues across our company. 

As a field-based employee, I have been a remote worker my entire career. Interactions with peers have been something I never take for granted. I have found the best way to be connected is to be present. Present on phone calls, online and, of course, at in-person meetings. I don’t multi-task, and I give people my full attention. That is truly the only way to connect and build meaningful relationships.  

I also have the privilege of meeting patients and caretakers. I’ve cried with families in the moments after learning their child will endure a lifelong condition. And I’ve been there to see the hope in their eyes when they learn there is a medicine that can help. I have heard parents of children on our treatments share their excitement, and hope, about possibilities for their kids. These moments of connection are a big part of why working at BioMarin is so special for me. 

GRATITUDE
Tell us about something you’re grateful for in your career, and why.

I am grateful and humbled to work alongside a team of skilled and dedicated clinical coordinators who interact with patients and caregivers every day to help make their lives a little bit easier. 

Our interactions with patients begin as early as education on our medications, once the doctor and family have decided to treat. This includes being present for support at the beginning of their treatment journey and providing ongoing support through different seasons of life. 

We really develop strong relationships with patients and try to show up for them in the way you’d expect to show up for your family. 

TRANSLATION
How do you hope your work will translate into impact for the patient communities BioMarin is working to support?

It’s my hope that my work translates into support for my team members who are on the front lines with patients, their families and caretakers. If I can do this, I believe that it will contribute to patients getting the best care possible.  

Part of that is creating an environment that supports work-life balance, but in our roles, we need to remember that patients and caregivers have lives too. Often, they need phone calls or visits after their full-time work is done. We meet them where they are and support them as needed. 

I’m inspired by how selfless my team can be with their time. And that drives me to ensure that they are recognized for their hard work.