Women In Wellness: Organon’s Dr Charlotte Owens On The Five Lifestyle Tweaks That Will Help Support People’s Journey Towards Better Wellbeing

An Interview With Wanda Malhotra

Work-life balance is hard. Sometimes, it might not always be possible so do the best you can every day and take time to enjoy the journey.

Today, more than ever, wellness is at the forefront of societal discussions. From mental health to physical well-being, women are making significant strides in bringing about change, introducing innovative solutions, and setting new standards. Despite facing unique challenges, they break barriers, inspire communities, and are reshaping the very definition of health and wellness. In this series called women in wellness we are talking to women doctors, nurses, nutritionists, therapists, fitness trainers, researchers, health experts, coaches, and other wellness professionals to share their stories and insights. As a part of this series, we had the pleasure of interviewing Charlotte Owens.

Charlotte Owens, M.D., F.A.C.O.G, is currently the Senior Vice President and Head of Global Medical Affairs & Outcomes Research at Organon — a global healthcare company focused on women’s health. Dr. Owens is responsible for the medical strategy and support of marketed and pipeline products, including outcomes research. Dr. Owens has over a decade of experience in the pharmaceutical and medical device industry, more than 20 years as a practicing, board-certified OB/GYN and a global lens to sustainably improving health equity and delivering patient care.

Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Our readers would love to “get to know you” better. Can you share your “backstory” with us?

I am originally from Northern California, where I learned to love music, the sound of the ocean, playing dominoes, art, learning about other cultures, and reading. This was also where I learned that no matter how hard you worked, you could live in a world engulfed by inequities. I was fortunate to have the support and love from many who mentored me, sponsored me, and allowed me to believe I could achieve my dreams. My mom in particular instilled in me from a young age that I had to work harder than others. Her guidance fundamentally shaped the person I am today.

I’ve worn a lot of hats in many sectors throughout my career, but there are two “red threads” across all my roles: understanding the direct impact social determinants of health have on real people and helping connect people to daily basic needs including healthcare, so they can thrive. My first love has been caring for patients and I have had the privilege of practicing as a board-certified OB/GYN for more than 20 years. Additionally, I’ve spent over a decade leading clinical development and medical affairs in the pharmaceutical and medical device sector, helping companies deliver novel treatment options to patients around the world. This first-hand experience of caring for patients and serving as an industry leader allows me to help patients on a broader scale.

Today, I’m the Senior Vice President and Head of Global Medical Affairs & Outcomes Research at Organon — a global healthcare company focused on women’s health. I’m responsible for the medical strategy and support of marketed and pipeline products, including outcomes research. I also serve on the faculty of Morehouse School of Medicine as an Adjunct Assistant Clinical Professor of Obstetrics Gynecology, where I have had the deeply rewarding privilege of teaching for over a decade.

Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you started your career? What were the main lessons or takeaways from that story?

One story that stands out is about the power of investing in the daily life of a patient. While I was on-call years ago, I met a patient experiencing a life-threatening situation for her and her child. As we spoke, I realized she was facing many personal challenges and needed someone to see and believe in her beyond that acute moment. I believe everyone has a gift and after investing time with this patient, I quickly learned that her gift was helping people. It became apparent to me that she could reach her life goal of becoming a nurse if she felt seen and heard and had a sense of agency. When you want to truly empower someone, you must ask yourself: are you willing to be consistent and persistent in their life the way they need you to be as a mentor, teacher, or friend? I committed to being a constant presence in her life, cheered and supported her over the years, and in 2012 saw her ultimately accomplish her dream of becoming a nurse.

This encounter is just one illustration of the reality that most of what makes us healthy is actually outside of the healthcare system. Without first addressing these social determinants, health is not sustainable. This opportunity may have influenced the trajectory of this patient’s life, yet the greatest impact was on me as a provider, since I’m always learning from my patients and trying to turn those lessons into actions.

It has been said that our mistakes can be our greatest teachers. Can you share a story about a mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?

One of the first mistakes I made early in my career was not appreciating the importance of sponsorship and mentorship. In school, I strived for excellence and had many successes, which made me naively think that professional success would also be based on this same effort and meritocracy. I soon realized that not only should we strive for technical and professional excellence, but long-term success often requires sponsors to guide and shape our career paths. Without sponsors, professional success is certainly possible, but much more challenging.

Additionally, as an introvert, it takes more energy for me to appear outgoing, but I have found that I enjoy connecting with others even if it takes more effort. This is essential in my profession because connection, collaboration, communication, trust, and diversity are important to driving innovation, improving patient care and outcomes, and creating a growth mindset.

Let’s jump to our main focus. When it comes to health and wellness, how is the work you are doing helping to make a bigger impact in the world?

Social determinants contribute up to 80% of what makes us healthy. As a physician and healthcare leader, I have seen too many instances in which individuals and communities are not able to achieve optimal health because they can’t access quality care, quality education, economic stability, and have limited community infrastructure or built environments along with a constant exposure to systemic biases that led to inequitable health outcomes. This reality unfortunately persists today for millions of people, especially women, who often sacrifice their own health to care for others. It is also an ongoing issue that is related to the absence of investment in women’s health. That’s why I’m so passionate about the work I’m doing today at Organon.

One example of this work is through Organon’s Her Plan is Her Power initiative, which aims to address and overcome gaps and barriers to reduce 120 million unplanned pregnancies by 2030. This program is working to accelerate a global response that drives global action in part through collaboration with UNFPA, the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency, annual grants program in support of community-based projects in 19 countries. In the United States, Her Plan is Her Power is expanding the global initiative through community-based partnerships with Direct Relief and Power to Decide. By focusing on innovation, education, access and advocacy, Her Plan is Her Power seeks to empower women and girls so they can plan their future.

Organon is one of the few healthcare companies dedicated to taking care of women. We’re working to bring innovative products to women by investing in research in areas where innovation has lagged, like endometriosis, PCOS, and postpartum hemorrhage; partnering to expand access to critical medicines; and convening public, private and nonprofit leaders to bring forward solutions to some of the most pressing issues — whether it’s the public health crisis of unintended pregnancy in some communities, or declining fertility rates in others. I’m proud to be part of the movement to create a healthier future for women and everyone they love.

Can you share your top five “lifestyle tweaks” that you believe will help support people’s journey towards better wellbeing?

1. Find your support system: Having a strong support network can greatly contribute to your overall wellbeing. Whether it’s your family, friends, or a community group, having people to lean on and share advice with can make a significant difference in managing stress and maintaining a positive outlook.
2. Get screened: Regular health screenings are vital in detecting many health issues early, especially when it comes to women’s health. I tell my friends and patients — please don’t miss your annual well-woman visit, pap smear, mammogram, blood pressure screening, as well as any other preventative care or tests your doctor recommends. If you need help identifying a place to receive care, don’t be afraid to speak up and ask for help from friends or community resources.
3. Speak up: Too many of us bottle up our emotions until we reach our breaking point. Talk to someone. Finding a mental health professional or someone you’re comfortable confiding in can help you remember that you’re not alone in working through whatever challenges you’re experiencing. We all need to practice self-care and that starts with our mental wellbeing.
4. Protect your peace: There’s wisdom in knowing when to set a boundary. As women we can be hesitant to say “no” and often take on too many responsibilities in our work and personal lives. Understanding how to politely push back helps us stay sane amid the chaos.
5. Try something new: Stepping out of your comfort zone can be a powerful way to break out of a funk. In fact, it’s backed by science. Studies show that new and diverse experiences can enhance happiness and are linked to increased brain activity. To recharge my batteries as an introvert, I take time every three months to get away and try something new, some place new. During my last vacation I walked more than 20,000 steps each day viewing some of the world’s most ancient history. It was a trip of a lifetime. Getting out of your comfort zone can be anything that gets the dopamine flowing — like trying out a new recipe or starting a new hobby.

If you could start a movement that would bring the most amount of wellness to the most amount of people, what would that be?

There’s a message I want to shout from the rooftops: Make time to prioritize your health and wellness! This isn’t a self-centered movement — it is a self-love and renewal movement. Sometimes we tend to put ourselves last because we’re caregivers, busy tending to our kids, friends, partners, our parents, or our work and we are often willing to put everyone before us. Yet, when we wait until we’re burned out or too sick to seek help, we’re doing a disservice to ourselves and those we love. For too many people, the idea of putting our health first is a luxury that is out of reach. So, my movement would focus on putting support systems in place that enable us to focus on our own health and the wellbeing of the ones we love– like expanding access to childcare and elder care, improving pay equity, and ensuring women and men have a true work-life balance. That’s just the tip of the iceberg but having those foundational elements in place will set the stage for a world where we can boldly focus on our health and wellbeing. As I learned from the Women Deliver 2023 Conference, when women have access to quality healthcare and innovative health options, they’re also better able to access economic power. Economic power in turn unlocks returns not only for women, but also for their families and communities. According to the World Economic Forum, advancing women’s employment could add $12 trillion to global GDP and boost some countries’ economic output by as much as 35%. In short, when women are healthy, we are all healthy.

What are your “5 Things I Wish Someone Told Me Before I Started” and why?

I’ve received some great advice throughout my life that’s really resonated — especially from my parents. From a young age, my dad gave me the gift of feeling understood and by modeling what he meant by his common wisdom, “I hear what you do.” My mom taught me the importance of giving and doing for others, reminding me, “Don’t look back, try to make the best choices you can every day.” While it’s easy to support people during good times, what determines the type of person you are is not what you say, but what you do for others during the tough times, which can have ripple effects across entire communities. There also are a few more lessons that I wish I’d learned earlier on in my career:

• Work-life balance is hard. Sometimes, it might not always be possible so do the best you can every day and take time to enjoy the journey.
• Time passes by so fast. Have fun every day because life is a marathon not a sprint — so pace yourself and enjoy the journey. On my personal notebook I put the affirmation “Live life out loud and on purpose, intentionally.”
• Sponsorship is fundamental to your success. While you are focusing on being an expert in your field, also focus on finding sponsors.
• Self-care is not selfish. It’s necessary.
• Friendships are lifesavers. Always nurture friendships because they last a lifetime and fuel your soul.

Sustainability, veganism, mental health, and environmental changes are big topics at the moment. Which one of these causes is dearest to you, and why?

I’m passionate about mental health because it goes hand in hand with physical health. We need to take the time to care for our mental well-being as much as we do our physical selves. We may be hesitant to talk when we are not feeling our best or to even seek advice/help. It’s encouraging that talking openly about our struggles has become more widespread in the past decade or so. But there is more we can do to support those experiencing mental health difficulties — especially for women, who are twice as likely to be diagnosed with anxiety as men, and often face unique challenges like postpartum depression, which impacts about 10–15% of adult mothers each year. Through new programs, technology, and medical innovations, I’m confident we will see more progress in mental health awareness, treatment and support in the years to come.

What is the best way for our readers to further follow your work online?

Please connect or follow me on LinkedIn (Charlotte Owens, MD, FACOG). I also invite you to follow Organon on LinkedIn and Instagram.

Thank you for these fantastic insights! We wish you continued success and good health.

About the Interviewer: Wanda Malhotra is a wellness entrepreneur, lifestyle journalist, and the CEO of Crunchy Mama Box, a mission-driven platform promoting conscious living. CMB empowers individuals with educational resources and vetted products to help them make informed choices. Passionate about social causes like environmental preservation and animal welfare, Wanda writes about clean beauty, wellness, nutrition, social impact and sustainability, simplifying wellness with curated resources. Join Wanda and the Crunchy Mama Box community in embracing a healthier, more sustainable lifestyle at CrunchyMamaBox.com.