Rita Jokiaho, Bs, R.Ph.
About Rita Jokiaho, Bs, R.Ph.
Rita Jokiaho is the Senior District Business Manager for Immunology/GI at Bristol Myers Squibb in Greater Boston, with extensive experience in pharmaceutical sales and management.
Current Role at Bristol Myers Squibb
Rita Jokiaho is currently positioned as a Senior District Business Manager for Immunology and Gastroenterology (GI) at Bristol Myers Squibb. She operates in the Greater Boston area, overseeing business operations and assisting in the strategic management of immunology and GI therapeutic areas.
Career Background
Rita Jokiaho has an extensive background in the pharmaceutical industry spanning several decades. She previously served at SUN PHARMA as a Regional Business Director of Field Reimbursement for the Northeast for eight months, from 2020 to 2021. Her career at Regeneron as Regional Manager for the Northeast Region lasted four years, from 2016 to 2020. Prior to that, she was a Regional Sales Director in Immunology for GSK from 2012 to 2016 and held the role of Senior Specialty District Manager at Takeda for two years. Her earlier roles include positions at TAP Pharmaceuticals and CVS Caremark Corporation.
Educational Background
Rita Jokiaho completed her studies at Luis Munoz Marin High School and went on to further her education at the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Pharmacy, equipping her with a robust foundation in pharmaceutical sciences.
Product Launches and Portfolio Management
Throughout her career, Rita Jokiaho has successfully launched eight new products and managed Takeda's product portfolio in various therapeutic areas. These include oncology, urology, gynecology, rheumatology, nephrology, ENT, gastroenterology, pediatric gastroenterology, pediatrics, cardiology, and endocrinology. Her experience in these diverse fields showcases her versatility and expertise in pharmaceutical product management.
Sales Achievements and Training Expertise
Rita Jokiaho is distinguished by her exceptional sales record and training expertise. She has received more than 20 awards for outstanding sales and management performance, including being the top sales performer seven times. Her ability to achieve or exceed sales goals for over 50 consecutive quarters underscores her sales acumen. As a Regional Training Manager at TAP Pharmaceuticals, she developed and implemented training programs for over 500 employees, focusing on product knowledge, disease states, and selling skills.
Professional Relationships and Experience
With over 14 years of buy and bill experience and more than six years in managed markets, Rita Jokiaho has developed and maintained lasting relationships with key opinion leaders (KOLs) and decision-makers at academic institutions, managed care organizations, physician group practices, and pharmacy departments in the Northeast market. Her background as a Registered Pharmacist further supports her clinical expertise and ability to effectively collaborate across various functions in the pharmaceutical industry.