Close Concerns is a San Francisco-based healthcare information company focused on diabetes and obesity. Their mission is to improve patient outcomes by making researchers, clinicians, scientists, companies, patients, and families smarter about diabetes and obesity. Close Concerns does this by creating and synthesizing news and insights on therapies and technologies related to these conditions.
Since 2002, Close Concerns’ Associate Program has offered new college graduates unparalleled exposure to the ‘real world’ of healthcare and business, significant work experience and responsibility, international travel, and built-in support for graduate school applications. Close Concerns is actively recruiting seniors and recent alums from Swarthmore for their Associate Program class starting in Summer 2025.
Today’s interview features Molly Grazioso, an Associate at Close Concerns.
Kelly Dougherty: Thanks for joining us today, Molly! What can you tell our students about Close Concerns?
Molly Grazioso: We are a healthcare information company focused on diabetes and obesity. We write about news in therapies and technologies related to these conditions and their respective complications and publish Closer Look, a near-daily subscription-based newsletter that goes out to >10,000 healthcare professionals. Closer Look keeps researchers and members of industry abreast of scientific breakthroughs and market dynamics related to our fields of focus.
As Associates, we study and report on new research and company earnings, travel to conferences, and interview dozens of clinicians and thought leaders every year, contributing to the variety and depth of information included in our reports.
KD: What would you say your favorite part about working at Close Concerns is?
MG: The sheer breadth of our work and also the amount of responsibility we’re given right out of college. In addition to learning about all of the various players in the healthcare landscape and how they work together (clinicians, researchers, industry, payers, regulatory), we also get to take on responsibilities like editing and managing the publication process, interviewing companies and thought leaders, preparing conference coverage strategy, coordinating conference travel, recruiting new associates and interns, and mentoring interns. It’s a really hands-on job that immerses you in the diabetes healthcare world, and it’s a great experience especially for those considering medical or graduate school later on.
And then of course, our associate dream team! I feel so lucky to work alongside such brilliant, thoughtful, and kind people every day. It’s unique to share similar circumstances, most of us being new to San Francisco and having graduated recently. We are a close-knit, supportive, and social group, and it makes our office and travel really fun.
KD: Sounds like a great opportunity and a great place to work. Speaking of, what types of opportunities can our students expect to find at Close Concerns?
MG: Our full-time Associate roles are open to seniors (Spring 2025 grads) or recent alums. We also offer summer internships.
KD: What roles are you actively recruiting for?
MG: We are currently recruiting for three 2025 full-time Associate roles based in San Francisco. Our application is now open and will close on November 30 and can be accessed directly via this link. The posting explains more about the open positions.
KD: What can you tell our students about what they can expect from each of these roles?
MG: There is never a dull moment at Close Concerns! The Associate position is incredibly fast-paced and engaging — we manage many different projects at once with sharp deadlines and a high level of excellence. For someone who is adaptable, thrives in a dynamic environment, enjoys learning and executing on many different tasks at once, this is an ideal job! Writing and editing ability is key for this role, and it’s definitely a job for someone who thrives thinking on their feet. Beyond this, you can expect to have a meaningful impact in the lives of people living with diabetes and obesity — the work we do at Close Concerns reaches to the far corners of our industry, ultimately to help real patients live their lives to the fullest!
KD: This is all great information! Can you talk to us a little bit about the ways in which diversity and inclusion are represented in your organization?
MG: We pride ourselves on prioritizing diversity, equity, and inclusion at all levels of our organization. Close Concerns powers the W!LD (Women in Leadership in Diabetes) initiative, for example, which aims to connect and support emerging and established women leaders from across the wider diabetes ecosystem. We deliver best-in-class leadership programming and networking opportunities to educate, connect, support, inspire, and advance women, and to collectively improve outcomes for people with diabetes.
Additionally, we take our recruiting process very seriously — our workflows and evaluations are designed to reduce conscious and unconscious bias. Furthermore, every candidate who comes through our recruiting pipeline meets with almost every member of the team, allowing us to holistically evaluate candidates across a wide variety of criteria. Our current staff, as a result, reflects diversity across gender, sexual orientation, race/ethnicity, age and health status.
KD: Thank you for taking the time to share all of this with us, Molly! Who would be the best contact for our students to reach if they have any other questions?
MG: They can contact me, Molly Grazioso (molly.grazioso@closeconcerns.com). They can also get in touch with our Recruiting Coordinator, Sara Gardner (sara.gardner@closeconcerns.com).
Want to learn more about Close Concerns and their sister company dQ&A, former Swat alum Alan Beltran (‘23) will be on campus hosting an information session on Weds., 11/13 @ 6:30pm.
