Last Fall, Lisa Dyer, director of ambulatory services at UW Northern Illinois, shared with Pharmacy Angle her journey, from managing the outpatient pharmacy to overseeing a wide range of services, including ambulatory care and home infusion pharmacies. She shares her early inspiration from a local pharmacy director, her experience transitioning from retail to hospital pharmacy, and her passion for creating career opportunities through initiatives like the pharmacy apprenticeship program. Highlighting the evolving roles of pharmacists and technicians, she emphasizes the growing opportunities in the field and her excitement for the future of pharmacy services, including potential provider status for pharmacists.

Dawn Rana, a pharmacy executive at Vizient, sat down with Pharmacy Angle to discuss the challenges faced by healthcare facilities, particularly drug shortages and workforce issues. Rana emphasizes the role of Group Purchasing Organizations (GPOs)  in helping healthcare providers manage these challenges by securing drug supplies and offering support in various operational areas. She also highlights the ongoing efforts to address workforce shortages, particularly for pharmacy technicians, through creative solutions and collaboration with educational institutions.

Joe Pinto, Vice President of Pharmacy Operations at Mount Sinai Health System, shares insights into the unique challenges of managing pharmacy operations across multiple hospitals. Joe discusses the critical role of pharmacists in patient care, emphasizing the importance of standardizing practices while accommodating individual site needs. He also explores the potential of AI and automation in pharmacy, highlighting both the opportunities and risks associated with these technologies. Finally, Joe reflects on the pharmacy landscape and the need for better advocacy and marketing to showcase the full scope of what pharmacists contribute to healthcare.

Arash Dabestani, HCP board member and Dean at Long Island University College of Pharmacy, discusses the importance of advocacy for the pharmacy profession, emphasizing the need for a unified and consistent approach to ensure pharmacists' roles are well-represented and understood. Dabestani also highlights the evolving nature of the pharmacy profession, moving from a commodity-based to a service-oriented field, and the necessity of involving students in this transition to address future healthcare needs.

Dr. Rabiah Dys discusses her role as Senior VP of Clinical Services at CPS, focusing on integrating new medication practices and health equity into healthcare systems. Dys highlights her background from biochemistry to pharmacy and her commitment to improving health literacy, emphasizing the importance of continuity of care - from hospital discharge to community pharmacy - to ensure patients understand and manage their health effectively.

Jennifer Matias, PharmD, BCPS, CPPS, who oversees medication safety for Kaiser Permanente's National Pharmacy Services, sat down with Pharmacy Angle to share her career journey, sparked by a near-miss medication error. Jennifer discusses the evolution of medication safety culture, the integration of technology, and the importance of proactive and reactive strategies to prevent errors. She also offers insights into current trends in hospital pharmacy, including the opioid crisis and process improvement initiatives.

Pharmacy Angle sat down with Ram Arumugam, Senior Manager of Product Management for McKesson Health to gain insights into his role, the evolving landscape of pharmacy operations, and the impact of DIR fee changes on the industry.

Pharmacy Angle meets with John Hamiel, Regional Director of Pharmacy at Mercy Health, to discuss changes he's see in the industry throughout his career and the role of AI in the future of hospital pharmacies.

Pharmacy Angle had the opportunity to interview Blake Powers, President at Medigi, discussing hot-button issues and how digitalization can benefit the pharmacy industry.

Pharmacy Angle sat down with Louis Kynard, Director of Pharmacy at Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare, to discuss his experience developing both retail and specialty pharmacy teams, emergency preparedness, and lessons learned throughout his career.