At Bristol Myers Squibb, People Week is a dedicated time to do something simple and powerful — celebrate its people.
This global celebration brings the entire BMS community together around appreciation, connection, and well-being. For anyone considering a career at BMS, it offers a genuine window into what this company values most.
At BMS, people are recognized not only for what they do, but for the shared impact they make. People Week brings that belief to life.
More than a celebration
At its core, People Week creates dedicated space to pause, reconnect, and recognize the people behind the mission — across every function, geography, and work style. Employees come together through in-person and virtual experiences designed to be inclusive, flexible, and accessible.
That flexibility is intentional. Employees can choose how they participate — whether that means attending a live session, watching on demand, or joining a local site event. Meaningful employee experiences meet people where they are.
For Jelani H., Senior Launch Manager, Cell Therapy, that is what makes the week meaningful:
“I loved People Week because it felt like a genuine exhale. Seeing all the faces that work at BMS on our site gave me a greater appreciation of how much goes into providing care for our patients.”
A theme that reflects the moment
Each year, People Week is anchored by a theme that reflects where BMS is as a company and what its people need most. In 2026, that theme was “Elevate” — a call to invest in yourself, strengthen your team, and lift one another up. The themes change. The commitment behind them doesn’t.
As Amanda Poole, EVP and Chief People Officer, shares, People Week is fundamentally about connection and care:
“It is about how we look at our colleagues, many of whom are our friends that sit next to us every day, and how we take a moment to lift one another up. We pause, we celebrate, we elevate ourselves and each other.”
That spirit comes to life across the week’s programming. Employees can engage in sessions focused on growth, well-being, and connection. There are energizing conversations, moments of reflection, and experiences that bring the global BMS community together.
For Sara A, Director, Advertising – Global Procurement, that variety is what she appreciated: “People Week really stood out for the range of sessions and conversations — from well-being to innovation — it created space to pause, connect, and learn from colleagues across the organization.”
One meaningful part of the week is Quiet Friday — a day intentionally set aside for rest, reflection, and personal recharge. In a fast-moving work environment, that kind of pause is significant. It reinforces the idea that supporting employees is not only about enabling performance. It is also about taking the time to reset and care for well-being along the way.
Why it matters for the mission
At BMS, the mission is to transform patients’ lives through science. It is bold, meaningful work — and it starts with our people.
That work requires collaboration, trust, resilience, and a shared sense of purpose. In this environment, employee experience is not separate from the mission. It helps sustain it.
People Week reinforces that and recognizes the human energy behind the work. It reminds every employee that their role contributes to something bigger.
Mathew D., Director, Specialty Pharmacy Sales, Strategy & Ops, puts it plainly:
“People Week is one of those rare moments where you truly feel the heartbeat of BMS — every session, conversation, and connection reminds me why I chose to build my career here.”
When people feel appreciated, supported, and connected, it strengthens engagement, collaboration, and the collective impact teams can make for patients.
Elevate your career in a culture that cares
People Week reflects the culture BMS builds every day. It is a culture where people feel valued, supported, and inspired to do their best work. It invites employees to invest in themselves, strengthen their teams, and lift one another up in service of something bigger.
Explore careers at BMS and discover what it means to be part of a company that elevates both people and purpose.
Because when people are elevated, so is the mission.
