A Visit to Bayer HealthCare Facility
Today, I was again reminded of the adage that a good day spent is when you learn something new. I was also reminded of the importance of first impressions. A group of colleagues from the WIB Ohlone Biotechnology Class (along with some of the program managers from Ohlone College and EDD) visited the Bayer HealthCare (Biotech) facility over at Berkeley, CA.
I (and perhaps the rest of the group) was quite impressed with the top quality and level of participation by the Bayer team who provided us a the presentation: from Martina Hanke, the lead presenter to the site tour guides (Ron, Roy, Gabi) and HR managers (Kris and Bob).
I had many take away thoughts, but succinctly, what etched in my mind is an overall positive impression of Bayer as a top quality outfit where I could work at. From the extensive and well prepared agenda, the class was made aware of and learned some details about Bayer and about Hemophilia, a disorder that affects about 400,000 people in the US, where a protein (Factor 8) deficiency in Hemophiliac patients could potentially cause death from unstoppable bleeding. I also learned of the value of Bayer's anti-hemophilia products, particularly the recombinant product Kogenate, which quickly adds the missing Factor 8 that allow for normal blood clot to happen, thus able to save lives. These information were then tied in with the importance of the employees to Bayer's key values: realiability and safety as well as the regulatory (FDA, CFRs, cGMP) requirements.
We also went through some hands on review of a sample of their key SOP. An extensive tour of the plant facilities was preceded with an actual double gowning drill, which allowed us access Class D clean rooms. We were able to view a few fermentation, filtration rooms and varous support systems; interact with technicians; and had plenty of opportunities to ask questions.
The Bayer team were quite warm and friendly, making us comfortable and well fed and hydrated for the long day. We had a morning snack and coffee/juice and afternoon cookie and drinks break. For lunch, we were treated to dine in at the employee cafeteria - allowing us to have a lunch experience like the employees. I even had a chance to talk with an employee while deciding which soup to have (pork n bean or the corn-chili).
A bonus was when I ran into someone whom I used to work with at Bechtel. Gina S. who at one time with the Bechtel IT HR team now works in Bayer's HR group. We had a quick chat to catch up some.
The day was also a good day as once again, I saw and spent a day with my fellow Ohlone classmates. I like to think the days forthcoming look bright and promising. It is because of positive and constructive days such as today.
I (and perhaps the rest of the group) was quite impressed with the top quality and level of participation by the Bayer team who provided us a the presentation: from Martina Hanke, the lead presenter to the site tour guides (Ron, Roy, Gabi) and HR managers (Kris and Bob).
I had many take away thoughts, but succinctly, what etched in my mind is an overall positive impression of Bayer as a top quality outfit where I could work at. From the extensive and well prepared agenda, the class was made aware of and learned some details about Bayer and about Hemophilia, a disorder that affects about 400,000 people in the US, where a protein (Factor 8) deficiency in Hemophiliac patients could potentially cause death from unstoppable bleeding. I also learned of the value of Bayer's anti-hemophilia products, particularly the recombinant product Kogenate, which quickly adds the missing Factor 8 that allow for normal blood clot to happen, thus able to save lives. These information were then tied in with the importance of the employees to Bayer's key values: realiability and safety as well as the regulatory (FDA, CFRs, cGMP) requirements.
We also went through some hands on review of a sample of their key SOP. An extensive tour of the plant facilities was preceded with an actual double gowning drill, which allowed us access Class D clean rooms. We were able to view a few fermentation, filtration rooms and varous support systems; interact with technicians; and had plenty of opportunities to ask questions.
The Bayer team were quite warm and friendly, making us comfortable and well fed and hydrated for the long day. We had a morning snack and coffee/juice and afternoon cookie and drinks break. For lunch, we were treated to dine in at the employee cafeteria - allowing us to have a lunch experience like the employees. I even had a chance to talk with an employee while deciding which soup to have (pork n bean or the corn-chili).
A bonus was when I ran into someone whom I used to work with at Bechtel. Gina S. who at one time with the Bechtel IT HR team now works in Bayer's HR group. We had a quick chat to catch up some.
The day was also a good day as once again, I saw and spent a day with my fellow Ohlone classmates. I like to think the days forthcoming look bright and promising. It is because of positive and constructive days such as today.
posted by TommyBee at 9:00 PM
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