Featured International Member: Esla Gomez

Elsa Gomez is an established name in the field of pharmaceuticals. She was the first female director of quality for a pharmaceutical corporation in Puerto Rico in the 1970s. Gomez knows how important it is to set goals to achieve individual success. She supervises the internal research and manufacturing practices involved in developing pharmaceutical products. Elsa is integral in the work of chemists, pharmacists, and the agencies that regulate such products. She is held accountable for ensuring that documentation submitted to these regulatory agencies meets requirements. As a result, Gomez assists managers in preparing for inspections and audits.

Elsa holds nearly 40 years of experience, including positions as manager of technical projects and vice president of quality assurance for Watson Pharmaceuticals. In this position, she has completed several clinical and corporate projects.

Furthermore, Gomez has served as vice president of operations for Watson Laboratories and director of production for Searle and Company in Puerto Rico. Here, she was integral in the exchange of products with England. While it’s clear that Elsa demonstrates high professionalism and talent in her field, Gomez attributes her success in these positions to her employees. She earned a Master of Science in radiation chemistry from the University of Puerto Rico in 1972 and a Bachelor of Science in physical chemistry in 1967. Gomez is a member of the American Society for Quality and American Chemical Society and commits herself to the Humane Society of the United States and several animal shelters located in Puerto Rico. Gomez would like to add quality assurance consulting to her arsenal moving forward.