Becker's Healthcare - Pharmacy Leadership Podcast

In this episode, Paul Green, Pharm.D., MHA, BCPS, CPEL, DPLA - Director of Pharmacy Services, Westchester Medical Center, discusses how pharmacy is evolving from a cost center to a key driver of clinical, operational, and financial value. He shares insights on technology integration, workforce sustainability, and building a proactive pharmacy strategy aligned with broader health system goals.

This episode recorded live at the Becker's Spring 2026 Chief Pharmacy Officer Summit features Dr. Janjri Desai, Interim VP, Pharmacy Services, Stanford Health Care and Dr. Seth Hartman, VP, Clinical Applications and Chief Pharmacy Information Officer, UChicago Medicine. They discuss how AI is streamlining administrative workflows, enabling more advanced clinical decision support, and reshaping pharmacy roles to improve patient care, workforce efficiency, and long-term health system sustainability.This episode is sponsored by Omnicell.

This episode recorded live at the Becker's Spring 2026 Chief Pharmacy Officer Summit features Dr. Patrick Yoder, President, Quva BrightStream & Chief Data Analytics Officer, Quva Pharmaceuticals. He explores how health systems can address prescription leakage, strengthen care coordination, and use targeted data and AI strategies to improve both patient outcomes and financial performance.This episode is sponsored by Quva Pharmaceuticals.

This episode recorded live at the Becker’s 16th Annual Meeting features Nathan Bartlett, Director of Business Development, Civica, discussing how drug shortages impact patients and health systems and why they persist. He explains how Civica’s nonprofit, member-driven model is designed to stabilize supply, improve pricing predictability, and prevent shortages of essential medications. This episode is sponsored by Civica.

This episode recorded live at the Becker's Spring 2026 Chief Pharmacy Officer Summit features Nick Rebmann, EVP & Chief Growth Officer, Pillr Health. Here, he discusses how evolving 340B pressures are accelerating the shift to in-house pharmacy models to improve patient outcomes, strengthen care continuity, and unlock strategic value for health systemsThis episode is sponsored by Pillr Health.

This episode features Nishaminy Kasbekar, BS, PharmD, Chief Pharmacy Officer at Penn Medicine. Here she discusses the importance of meeting patience where they are, making sure pharmacists are more integrated in the entire continuum of care, AI and automation in pharmacy, and more.

Susan Jacob, PharmD, MBA, Assistant Director of Clinical Pharmacy Services at NYC Health + Hospitals, shares insights on advancing pharmacy’s role in patient education, health equity, and system-wide care improvement. She also discusses leadership, serving vulnerable populations, and building strong, empowered teams.

In this episode, Melissa Chase, PharmD, BCSCP, CPEL, Director of Pharmacy at Valley Children’s Healthcare, joins the podcast to discuss investing in new technologies, including robotics, to enhance pharmacy operations. She shares how these innovations support patient and staff safety, and emphasizes the critical role frontline team members play in delivering high-quality, reliable care.

In this episode, AJ Rivosecchi, Product Director at Bluesight, explores how health systems are rethinking pharmacy procurement as a strategic function amid rising complexity, drug shortages, and 340B uncertainty. He shares how integrating data across supply chain, finance, and compliance can improve resilience, protect margins, and support better decision making. This episode is sponosred by Bluesight.

In this episode, Karen J. McConnell, PharmD, MBA, Chief Pharmacy Officer at Michigan Medicine, discusses building a unified pharmacy strategy across multiple campuses, launching a systemwide pharmacy and therapeutics committee, and expanding specialty and ambulatory pharmacy services. She also shares how pharmacy leaders are preparing for rapid industry changes, drug pricing policy shifts, and the growing pipeline of complex therapies.

In this episode, Dmitry Walker, PharmD, MS, Director of Pharmacy Oncology and Investigational Drug Services at WVU Medicine, joins the podcast to discuss recent pharmacy initiatives, strategies for navigating ongoing drug shortages, and approaches to battling rising medication costs. He also shares insights into the expanding role of outpatient infusion care and how oncology pharmacy leaders are adapting to meet growing patient demand.

In this episode, Derek Imars, Executive Director of Pharmacy Supply Chain at Indiana University Health, explores how health systems can treat pharmacy as a true end to end supply chain rather than just a purchasing function. He discusses centralizing procurement, leveraging data and automation, navigating 340B and regulatory pressures, and preparing for rising specialty and infusion drug costs while keeping patient care at the center.

In this episode, Sunil Patel, Vice President of Pharmacy Ambulatory at Sentara Health, shares how insourcing specialty pharmacy services improved efficiency, reduced costs, and enhanced patient care. He also discusses leveraging technology, AI, and consolidated service centers to drive future growth and align pharmacy operations across the health system.

In this episode, Tracey Spangenberg, Associate Chief Pharmacy Officer at UC San Diego Health, joins the podcast to discuss system growth and early successes across the organization. She shares insights on the expanding role of outpatient care and retail pharmacy, outlines key challenges facing pharmacy leaders in the new year, and highlights how strategic investments today are positioning the system for future growth.

In this episode, Nikita Parchem, PharmD, MHA, BCPS, joins the podcast to discuss system integration efforts that improve access, control costs, and support sustainable growth. She shares clinical access goals and outlines key priorities for pharmacy leaders as specialty and home infusion services continue to expand.

In this episode, Keith J. Mueller, PhD, Director of the Rural Policy Research Institute at the University of Iowa, shares insights on rural health policy, the transition from volume to value based care, and the role of technology and networks in sustaining rural services. He discusses payer dynamics, service line decisions, and how rural hospitals can adapt to policy, workforce, and access challenges while continuing to serve their communities.

In this episode, Mike A. Skafi, RPh, MSQA, Interim Chief Pharmacy Officer at Providence and Credena Health, discusses transforming pharmacy into an enterprise-level service line across a national health system. He shares priorities for 2026, including organizational redesign, specialty pharmacy growth, and navigating regulatory, payer, and drug pricing headwinds while strengthening patient and caregiver experience.

In this episode, Scott Knoer, PharmD, MS, FASHP, Regional Chief Pharmacy Officer, shares how he is transforming pharmacy at MercyOne by building ambulatory and specialty infrastructure, strengthening leadership teams, and driving improvement in both outcomes and the system's bottom line.

In this episode, Sahil Sheth, PharmD, BCCCP, Senior Director of Pharmacy Services at Luminis Health, discusses restructuring pharmacy leadership, expanding ambulatory and clinical pharmacy services, and strengthening operations across the system.

In this episode, John Pastor, PharmD, President of Fairview Pharmacy Services, discusses the system’s major shared services expansion, investments in advanced pharmacy technology, and efforts to improve patient access amid widespread pharmacy closures. He also shares how Fairview is planning for growth while navigating workforce, supply chain, and policy headwinds.

In this episode, Todd Karpinski, PharmD, MS, FASHP, FACHE, System Vice President and Chief Pharmacy Officer at WVU Medicine, joins the podcast to discuss the evolving pharmacy landscape. He shares perspectives on ongoing challenges with retail pharmacy reimbursements, addressing staffing shortages, and how strategic partnerships can support sustainable growth and strengthen pharmacy operations across the health system.

In this episode, Roya Tran, PharmD, MS, 340B ACE, Associate Chief Pharmacy Officer for Pharmacy Finance and Supply Chain at Duke Health, joins the podcast to discuss her experience with the 340B program and how it supports access to care. She shares perspectives on expanding the ambulatory pharmacy space, identifying growth opportunities, and improving access to pharmaceutical care through strategic finance and supply chain alignment.

In this episode, Edith Okolo, PharmD, RPh, Director of Pharmacy at Cedar Crest Hospital, joins the podcast to discuss pharmacy priorities heading into 2026, with patient safety at the forefront. She shares insights on improving workflow efficiency, addressing medication affordability—particularly long-acting injectables—and navigating ongoing medication shortages and broader industry challenges.

In this episode, Nick Gazda, PharmD, MS, BCPS, CSP, Director of Pharmacy Oncology and Infusion at Cone Health, discusses how standardized infusion services, centralized medication access, and technology integration have improved patient care and operational efficiency. He also shares strategies for navigating financial and regulatory headwinds while pursuing growth and value-based opportunities in 2026.

In this episode, Justin L. Vesser, PharmD, MS, Director of Ambulatory Pharmacy at UVA Health, shares how his team expanded clinical pharmacy services, improved medication access, and grew retail operations to better serve patients across Virginia. He also discusses navigating reimbursement pressures, regulatory headwinds, and leading through change by anchoring pharmacy teams in a clear mission.

In this episode, Joseph Pinto, Vice President of Pharmacy Operations at Mount Sinai Health System, discusses a systemwide modernization of pharmacy operations that improved resiliency, automation, and cost performance. He also outlines 2026 priorities around AI enablement, specialty and gene therapies, and balancing financial stewardship with access and safety.

In this episode, Shawn Myers, Vice President of Pharmacy and Ancillary Clinical Services at Encompass Health, discusses initiatives to improve medication reconciliation and patient safety across post-acute care hospitals. He shares strategies for implementing effective workflows, leveraging data, and managing pharmacy operations during rapid organizational growth.

In this episode, Michael Evans, RPh, MBA, FASHP, Chief Pharmacy Officer for Enterprise Pharmacy at Geisinger, discusses key pharmacy priorities including biosimilar adoption, the impact of the Inflation Reduction Act, cell and gene therapy readiness, and strategies to expand access and strengthen pharmacy operations.

In this episode, Michael Evans, RPh, MBA, FASHP, Chief Pharmacy Officer for Enterprise Pharmacy at Geisinger, discusses key pharmacy priorities including biosimilar adoption, the impact of the Inflation Reduction Act, cell and gene therapy readiness, and strategies to expand access and strengthen pharmacy operations.

In this episode, Nilesh Desai, MBA, BS, RPh, CPEL, CPPS, Chief Pharmacy Officer at Baptist Health System, discusses how pharmacy is driving medication access, specialty and outpatient growth, and financial sustainability. He also shares how technology, interoperability, and responsible AI adoption are shaping pharmacy strategy amid staffing and drug shortages.

In this episode, Joshua Weber, PharmD, MBA-HCM, CSP, BCMTMS, 340B ACE, Senior Director, St. Luke's Health System, highlights the organization’s future-ready pharmacy transformation, including paperless workflows, AI-enabled prior authorizations, EHR-integrated benefits investigations, and expanded specialty drug access for 5,000 more patients.

In this episode, Thomas Carey, PharmD, Senior Director, Pharmacy Services, UW Northern Illinois, shares how the organization elevated its Med to Bed discharge program using multidisciplinary coordination, driving a nearly 30% reduction in 30-day readmissions. He also discusses agility in 340B compliance, leveraging learners, and the future of pharmacy growth through technology, automation, and workforce investment.

In this episode, Kuldip R. Patel, PharmD, FASHP, Senior Associate Chief Pharmacy Officer at Duke University Health System, discusses how pharmacy services are expanding across the continuum to reach more patients and improve outcomes. He shares insights on supply chain resilience, ambulatory and inpatient pharmacy growth, and the technologies shaping the future of pharmacy practice.

In this episode, Sterling Elliott, PharmD, BCMTMS, Clinical Pharmacist Lead, Assistant Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at Northwestern Medicine & Affiliate Faculty Member, Purdue University College of Pharmacy, shares how pharmacists are stepping into expanded leadership roles in ambulatory and procedural care amid rising cost pressures and the shift to value based care. He discusses opioid stewardship in orthopedic surgery, innovative patient education models, and the barriers and opportunities facing pharmacists practicing at the top of their license.

In this episode, Mark Makhinson PharmD, Senior Director of Outpatient Pharmacy at Mount Sinai Health System, discusses how digital innovation, AI driven workflows, and a modern patient facing platform are reshaping specialty pharmacy, improving access, streamlining operations, and enhancing outcomes across the health system.