What's My Why

Behind every breakthrough in healthcare, there’s a deeply personal story—a reason that drives people to push boundaries and change lives. That idea is at the heart of What’s My Why, a global campaign that brings to life the motivations of Novartis associates who dedicate themselves to advancing medicine.

Two key films were produced, capturing the powerful journeys of four individuals across four cities and two continents.

The first film follows three Novartis scientists—Amara, Henrietta, and Philipp—each driven by their own life experiences to push the boundaries of medical research. Filmed across San Diego, Boston, and Basel, Switzerland, their stories highlight the passion and perseverance behind scientific discovery.

The second piece tells the story of Amar Patel, based in Atlanta, whose son, Ezra, was diagnosed with Aicardi-Goutières syndrome. Over the course of a week, his family opened their home to share their daily realities—the challenges, the resilience, and the unwavering hope that fuels Amar’s work every day.

With a small but dedicated crew of five, this campaign was brought to life with agility, precision, and a deep respect for the stories being told. Despite its scale, it delivered a world-class production, proving that impact isn’t measured by budget, but by the strength of the stories and the dedication behind them.

What’s My Why earned the Best in Employee Engagement award at the 2025 PRWeek Healthcare Awards, a testament to the power of storytelling and the human drive to make a difference.