Seeking a permanent full-time | consulting positions for advanced Medical Director, Senior Medical Director and Executive Medical Director opportunities in clinical development or medical affairs.
My priority is a long-term opportunity to contribute medical expertise, strategic leadership, and collaborative team development within a biotechnology company, pharmaceutical company, or CRO.
Grounded in Colorado. Guided by integrity. Built on trust.
As a Colorado native, I find grounding and perspective in the natural beauty of the mountains and inspiration in the hardworking people who call this state home. Their perseverance, integrity, and commitment to a shared ideal through partnership have shaped my approach to medicine and leadership. These values are deeply ingrained in my DNA.
With 13 years of industry experience working with biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies, I bring those values to clinical development, medical monitoring, and medical leadership across Phase I–III programs. My 15 years of clinical patient care experience provide the foundation for sound medical judgment and a steadfast commitment to participant safety. At Synergy Health, meaningful progress begins with trust—and grows through thoughtful science, hard work, and dependable partnerships.
Through Synergy Health, I help biotechnology companies, pharmaceutical sponsors, and CROs with medical monitoring, protocol development and review, therapeutic-area strategy, investigational product and Investigator’s Brochure review, safety data assessment, investigator training, and cross-functional team collaboration. Support is available for defined projects and short- or long-term contracts.
Explore my expertise Download my CV (PDF)Thomas Starkey, MD, is a Senior Medical Director and psychiatrist with 13 years of industry experience working with biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies. His expertise spans clinical development strategy, medical monitoring, and medical affairs, informed by sponsor, CRO, and Principal Investigator roles. He is seeking permanent full-time Advanced Medical Director, Senior Medical Director, and Executive Medical Director positions. A Colorado native and founder of Synergy Health, he has led and supported global Phase I–III trials across psychiatry, neuroscience, neurodegenerative diseases, and rare autoimmune disorders.
His experience includes serving as Senior Medical Director/Global Clinical Trial Lead at argenx and providing clinical oversight for pimavanserin programs at Acadia Pharmaceuticals. He contributed to the commercial success of VYVGART Hytrulo® (efgartigimod alfa and hyaluronidase-qvfc), an FDA-approved treatment for generalized myasthenia gravis, and Nuplazid® (pimavanserin), FDA-approved for hallucinations and delusions associated with Parkinson’s disease psychosis. He has also contributed substantially to a successful $30 million clinical trial award. His experience spans emerging approaches including gene therapy, psychedelic treatments, medical devices and biologics technology
Dr. Starkey earned his medical degree and finished psychiatry residency at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. A summa cum laude graduate and Phi Beta Kappa member of the University of Denver, he was also a Division I basketball scholar-athlete. His 15 years of clinical patient care experience strengthen his industry leadership, bringing practical medical judgment, a patient-centered perspective, and a consistent commitment to participant safety to every program he supports.
My background combines Senior Medical Director roles at sponsors and CROs with hands-on Principal Investigator experience and clinical practice leadership.
Guaranteed therapeutic area, protocol, investigational product (IP), IB, and team collaboration expertise.
Protocol development and amendments, Investigator’s Brochure (IB) review, eligibility criteria, endpoint selection, study feasibility, and medical input into regulatory submissions. Cross-functional collaboration with clinical operations, biostatistics, and regulatory teams.
Participant eligibility review, serious adverse event (SAE) review, safety signal assessment, and medical interpretation of accumulating trial data. Investigator guidance and collaboration with pharmacovigilance teams under ICH Good Clinical Practice.
Key opinion leader engagement, investigator training, scientific presentations, and clear communication of clinical findings. Experience supporting business development, bid defense, and sponsor relationships.
Psychiatry and CNS development, including depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and Lewy body dementia. Additional experience in epilepsy, myasthenia gravis, CIDP, myositis, immunology, dermatology, endocrinology, rheumatology, general medicine, metabolic disorders, gastroenterology (hepatology), and medical devices.
Development modalities:
Explore selected organizations from my work across biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and clinical research.
Satisfied client experiences from Sponsors to CROs ↗My ideal next role is a permanent full-time Advanced Medical Director, Senior Medical Director, or Executive Medical Director position in clinical development or medical affairs. I welcome inquiries from biotechnology companies, pharmaceutical companies, CROs, recruiters, talent acquisition teams, and life sciences executive search firms.
Permanent full-time employment is my first preference. I am also open to contract-to-hire arrangements, short- to long-term contracts, and selected consulting engagements through Synergy Health.
My focus includes CNS medical monitoring, psychiatry and neuroscience clinical development, neurodegenerative diseases, and rare autoimmune disorders. I bring sponsor, CRO, and Principal Investigator experience to Phase I–III trials, protocol review, investigator collaboration, and participant safety oversight.
As you review my resume, you will see the breadth of my experience—a “jack of all trades” approach grounded in the ability to adapt quickly to new therapeutic indications and develop a thorough understanding of study protocols.
I have provided medical oversight across hepatology, dermatology, rare diseases, general medicine, endocrine disorders—including diabetes, thyroid disorders, and Addison’s disease—and multiple forms of epilepsy.
To discuss a permanent full-time opportunity, please share the position title, company, therapeutic focus, location or remote-work expectations, and anticipated start date.
Contact Dr. Starkey about a full-time role →Through Synergy Health, I help biotechnology companies, pharmaceutical sponsors, and CROs with medical monitoring, protocol development and review, therapeutic-area strategy, investigational product and Investigator’s Brochure review, safety data assessment, investigator training, and cross-functional team collaboration. Support is available for defined projects and short- or long-term contracts.
Seeking a permanent full-time role grounded in thoughtful science and collaborative leadership.
Expertise I bring to a permanent full-time Medical Director or Senior Medical Director role with a biotechnology company, pharmaceutical sponsor, or CRO. Consulting services are also available for selected engagements.
Medical review of eligibility, safety data, adverse events, and emerging clinical concerns. Clear guidance for investigators and study teams, supported by medical monitoring plans and consistent oversight.
Clinical input into study design, eligibility criteria, endpoints, assessment schedules, and risk mitigation for Phase I–III programs.
Therapeutic expertise across anxiety, major depression, treatment-resistant depression, and neurodegenerative disorders, with attention to diagnostic precision and meaningful clinical outcomes.
Cross-functional collaboration, investigator training, site suitability review, and medical input into study documents to help teams work toward shared development goals.
My priority is a permanent full-time Medical Director or Senior Medical Director position in clinical development or medical affairs. I also consider contract-to-hire arrangements, short- to long-term contracts, and consulting opportunities.
Recruiters, talent acquisition professionals, and hiring teams: please share your position title, company, therapeutic area, and anticipated hiring timeline. For consulting inquiries, please include the scope and study phase.
Selected organizations I have worked with throughout my career in sponsor, CRO, and Principal Investigator roles. Select any logo to visit the company’s website.
Available for permanent full-time medical leadership in clinical development and medical affairs.