In this episode of the SOM Podcast – Global CMO Series, host Dr Lara Shemtob speaks with Dr Katherine Carandang Chua, Chief Medical Officer for APAC at Pfizer, about the evolving role of occupational health and why workforce wellbeing must be viewed as a strategic business investment. Drawing on nearly two decades of experience in occupational medicine, Dr Chua shares how Pfizer delivers holistic, culturally sensitive colleague wellness programmes across one of the world’s most diverse regions. 🎧 Key themes covered:The modern CMO remit in APAC Leading multidisciplinary teams of physicians, nurses, psychologists and therapists across Asia-Pacific.Holistic worker health Moving beyond physical health to include emotional, mental, social and even spiritual wellbeing.Culture over “one-size-fits-all” How global organisations can maintain consistency while adapting health initiatives to local cultural needs.Prevention-first strategies Nutrition, education and early intervention as core pillars of occupational health.Lessons from COVID-19 How the pandemic elevated the importance of mental health, EAPs, and integrated wellness teams.Digital health, AI & analytics Using AI-enabled check-ins, data-driven programmes, and technology to scale prevention and support globally.Managing workforce change and AI anxiety Supporting employees through technological transformation to reduce stress and improve productivity.Measuring impact differently Why success in occupational health should be measured in lives touched, not just metrics.A call to business leaders Why “talk the talk and walk the walk” through clear policies and leadership commitment is essential for healthy, productive workplaces.💡 Memorable quote: “People are not an expense — they are an investment. If you invest in workforce health, you invest in your business.” Guest Bio: Dr Katherine Carandang Chua is an Occupational Health Physician and Occupational Medicine Specialist with nearly 17 years of experience in workforce health. She currently serves as Chief Medical Officer for Asia Pacific at Pfizer, where she leads occupational health and colleague wellness strategy across a diverse and complex regional footprint. In her role, Dr Chua oversees multidisciplinary teams of physicians, nurses, psychologists and therapists supporting employees across manufacturing, R&D and commercial sites throughout APAC. Her remit spans physical health, mental health, and holistic wellbeing, with a strong emphasis on prevention, early intervention and culturally responsive health programming. A passionate advocate for viewing workforce health as a strategic business investment, Dr Chua has championed the integration of digital health tools, AI-enabled employee assistance services, and data-driven wellness initiatives to enhance accessibility and scalability across global teams.Her leadership reflects a deep belief that occupational health extends beyond the individual employee — positively impacting families, communities and organisational performance. LinkedIn: https://ph.linkedin.com/in/katherine-marie-carandang-chua-md-moh-fpcom-a4442536 The SOM podcast is sponsored by Orchid Live - specialist occupational health software used by a number of SOM members to run every aspect of their occupational health operations. They hold healthcare records for over 1 million UK workers and work with both in-house OH teams and OH providers. You can find out more at OrchidLive.com.
