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Pharmacy Innovators Podcast

Pharmacy Innovators Podcast
Author: Visante Consulting
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At the Pharmacy Innovators Podcast, we talk with innovative people who are going “off script,” finding new and better ways to optimize pharmacy for hospitals and health systems. Each episode provides timely and useful insights into how to transform healthcare through pharmacy.
37 Episodes
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In this episode, Jamie Leonard shares her journey from clinical pharmacist to Director of Pharmacy at Benefis Health System in Great Falls, Montana. She oversees pharmacy operations across the continuum of care, including acute care, cancer and infusion centers, long-term care, critical access hospitals, and Benefis’ 340B program.
Jamie discusses the unique challenges of serving a largely rural and government-payer-heavy population, while emphasizing Benefis’ strong commitment to community health, education, and work-life balance. She highlights key pharmacy initiatives such as expanding specialty and retail pharmacy, growing a Meds-to-Beds program, and supporting patients with timely medication access—critical in a state where patients often travel long distances.
In this episode of Ask the Innovators, Jim Jorgenson sits down with Visante’s Angela De Ianni, Managing Director, and Nivedha Poondi, Consultant, to unpack the rapid changes happening across the 340B program. From the transition to a rebate model to the ongoing challenges around DSH eligibility, our guests break down what these shifts mean for covered entities and share practical advice on how hospitals and health systems can prepare, adapt, and stay resilient. Tune in to hear expert insights on the future of 340B—and the strategies organizations can use to remain grounded and strategic in the face of uncertainty.
In this episode of Pharmacy Innovators, host Jim Jorgenson sits down with longtime friend and colleague Dr. Dawn Moore, Vice President of Pharmacy at Community Health Network in Indiana. With a career grounded in both strategy and service, Dawn shares her journey through health system leadership, her approach to ambulatory pharmacy growth, and the ways she's navigated competitive pressures in specialty and infusion care.
The conversation dives into how Community Health Network is addressing system-wide priorities, the importance of partnering strategically in pharmacy services, and how strong leadership can drive sustainable outcomes. Dawn also reflects on her run for the ASHP Board of Directors, her advocacy for women in pharmacy leadership, and how she balances a demanding career with raising a family.
Whether you're a pharmacy leader, health system executive, or aspiring professional, this episode is packed with practical insights, inspiration, and strategic takeaways.
In this episode of The Innovators Podcast, host Jim Jorgenson is joined by pharmacy revenue cycle experts Maxie Friemel and Tim Miller to explore the often underestimated, and increasingly critical, world of pharmacy finances. The conversation goes well beyond billing, diving into key issues such as prior authorizations, denials, biosimilar adoption, charge structures, and payer audits.
For hospital and health system leaders, the pharmacy revenue cycle presents both significant risk and opportunity. As specialty drug costs rise and payer scrutiny intensifies, understanding pharmacy’s role in financial performance is more important than ever. Maxie and Tim share practical insights to help leaders foster collaboration across pharmacy, finance, compliance, and IT, improve charge capture, and drive clean claims.
Packed with actionable strategies and big-picture thinking, this is a must-listen episode for any hospital leader focused on strengthening financial sustainability and operational alignment.
In this episode, host Jim Jorgenson sits down with returning guest Dr. Alex Varkey to discuss big changes—both personal and professional. Since his last appearance, Alex has completed his term as President of the American Pharmacists Association (APhA) and made a major career move, leaving a successful role in health-system leadership to join Visante.
Alex shares what motivated his transition, what it’s been like stepping into the consulting world, and what lessons he’s bringing with him from his time at APhA. He also offers thoughtful advice for professionals considering a change and discusses the trends he believes will shape the next five years in pharmacy.
From workforce dynamics to innovation in care delivery, this conversation is packed with leadership insight and forward-thinking perspectives for anyone invested in the future of pharmacy.
In this episode of the Pharmacy Innovators Podcast, host Jim Jorgenson is joined by two powerhouse voices in the 340B space: Kristin Fox Smith, Visante’s own 340B expert, and Ted Slafsky, Publisher & CEO of the 340B Report.
Together, they dive into the latest political and regulatory shifts shaking the 340B landscape — from new Congressional leadership and pending legislation to the major reorganization of HHS and HRSA. The episode also explores Medicaid trends, judicial developments, contract pharmacy access, and the broader political forces shaping healthcare access for vulnerable populations.
Whether you’re a healthcare leader, policymaker, or 340B stakeholder, this episode offers timely and valuable insights into the evolving landscape of the program.
340B Report website: https://340breport.com/ Subscribe now using coupon code VISANTE25
In this episode, host Jim Jorgenson talks with Dr. Brianne Bakken, PharmD, MHA, Associate Professor at The University of Iowa College of Nursing, about the National Pharmacist Workforce Study (NPWS) and its impact on pharmacy. They explore key findings on burnout, job satisfaction, and staffing shortages, as well as how AI, telepharmacy, and policy changes are reshaping the profession.
Dr. Bakken discusses her award-winning 2019 paper on discrimination and harassment in pharmacy and offers a preview of the 2024 NPWS. She also highlights strategies like leadership training, inclusion initiatives, and resilience programs that are helping pharmacies adapt and thrive.
Link to NPWS final reports: https://www.aacp.org/article/national-pharmacist-workforce-studies
NPWS is funded by the Pharmacy Workforce Center
In this episode of the Pharmacy Innovators Podcast, Visante CEO Steve Rough and President Phil Brummond dive into Visante’s Top Ten Issues Facing Health System Pharmacy in 2025. This insightful discussion covers key topics such as alternative payment models, revenue cycle optimization, centralized medication access, and more—critical areas shaping the future of pharmacy practice.
Join them as they explore how to advocate for essential resources, the expanding role of pharmacy services in health system strategy, and major healthcare marketplace changes that could impact your organization.
Don’t miss this episode for expert insights and strategies to enhance financial and operational performance in 2025 and beyond!
In this episode, we address audience-submitted questions about the 340B Program with Kristin Fox Smith and Sean Hall, two leading experts from Visante. Topics range from potential legislative changes and manufacturer rebate models to operational challenges and future program expectations. Whether you’re a healthcare professional or simply curious about the 340B Program, this episode offers valuable insights into the evolving landscape of this critical initiative.
In this episode, we’re joined by Dave Hager, Managing Director at Visante, and Lynn Thoma, Senior Director at Visante, as they share their key takeaways from the ASHP Midyear Conference.
Dave and Lynn dive into the major themes shaping pharmacy practice, highlight perspectives that challenged or inspired them, and discuss how the conference content aligns with the current trends and challenges facing the industry.
Don’t miss this insightful conversation as they break down the conference highlights and share their expert analysis!
In this episode, host Jim Jorgenson welcomes Dr. Jenna Swindler, Vice President of Pharmacy Services at McLeod Health System in South Carolina. Dr. Swindler shares her career journey and provides an overview of McLeod Health’s pharmacy operations. The conversation dives into the critical role of "systemness" in multi-hospital organizations, highlighting how McLeod defines and implements this concept, particularly in pharmacy practices.
Dr. Swindler discusses McLeod’s comprehensive pharmacy strategy, its alignment with broader organizational goals, and its impact on patient outcomes and operational efficiency. She elaborates on fostering consistency across locations, collaborating with other departments, and ensuring medication access for underserved populations. The episode also explores how pharmacy services at McLeod support patients beyond dispensing medications, enhancing care from hospital admission to post-discharge.
Tune in for insights on advancing pharmacy’s role in achieving health system excellence and improving patient care!
In this episode, we are thrilled to welcome Dr. Kendrea Jones, Director of Pharmacy at Arkansas Children’s Hospital, to explore the unique challenges and opportunities in pediatric pharmacy. Dr. Jones shares her career journey, insights into the specialized pharmacy services at Arkansas Children’s, and how the hospital is tackling workforce shortages, high-cost therapies, and drug shortages.
We also dive into the development of a specialty pharmacy to serve rural populations, innovations in prior authorization processes, revenue cycle management, and Arkansas's leadership in pharmacy advocacy, particularly regarding PBMs and 340b protections. Don’t miss this engaging conversation with one of the leading voices in pediatric pharmacy!
In this episode, Jim Jorgenson talks with Joe Lassiter, Ghalib Abbasi from Houston Methodist and robotics expert Frederik Ebert about the growing role of AI in healthcare, focusing on medication use and technology. They discuss how AI enhances clinical decision-making and automation, while also addressing its potential to reduce administrative costs in hospitals. Tune in to explore how AI is transforming healthcare and improving patient outcomes.
The 340B landscape is constantly evolving, presenting both challenges and opportunities for healthcare providers. Visante is committed to helping organizations navigate the complexities that come with a 340B program.
To stay informed, listen to our latest podcast on all things 340B. Our guests, Ted Slafsky, Publisher and CEO of 340B Report, and Kristin Fox-Smith, Senior Vice President at Visante, discuss critical topics such as:
The evolving landscape of 340B advocacy
The importance of data sharing and transparency
The impact of telehealth on patient care
The role of audits in program integrity
The importance of an effective dispute resolution process
340B Report website: https://340breport.com/
Subscribe now using coupon code VISANTE25
In this episode of Pharmacy Innovators, we delve into the critical roles of leadership and advocacy within hospital pharmacy settings. Hospital pharmacists are not only frontline healthcare providers but also leaders driving impactful change in patient care.
Join us as we sit down with St. Luke's Vice President & Chief Pharmacy Officer, Kelley Curtis, who shares her insights on navigating the complexities of healthcare systems. Discover firsthand how effective leadership strategies can empower pharmacy teams to innovate, collaborate, and ultimately improve healthcare outcomes.
Whether you're a pharmacy professional, healthcare leader, or simply interested in the intersection of pharmacy practice and advocacy, this episode offers valuable perspectives and actionable advice.
In this special edition of our Innovators podcast, we address your questions about infusion services and site-of-care strategies. Join our guests, Erick Siegenthaler, PharmD, MHA, and Dale Drizd, Pharm D, RPh, as they chat with Jim Jorgenson about setting up a home infusion program, optimizing pharmacy revenue, preventing costly leakage, and much more. Gain valuable insights to enhance patient access and improve provider satisfaction.
Delivering quality pharmacy care to communities across remote, often wintry Northern Canada presents unique challenges. Kevin McDonald and Sammu Dhaliwall from North West Telepharmacy Solutions join Jim Jorgenson to discuss overcoming geographical, weather, language, technology, and financial barriers to provide essential medications and clinical care.
Kevin McDonald, Director of North West Telepharmacy Solutions
Sammu Dhaliwall, Senior Manager of Business Development
https://www.northwesttelepharmacy.ca/
Don't miss this transformative opportunity to join Majid Tanas, a respected pharmacy executive and leader, for an enlightening discussion on mastering the complexities of today's healthcare landscape.
Majid delves into the critical role of hospital pharmacy in enhancing the full patient experience, the strategic design of organizational structures to boost collaboration, and the imperative to abandon the outdated term 'ancillary services' from pharmacy dialogue.
Majid advocates for placing patients and people at the forefront of your decisions, a proven strategy for achieving remarkable success.
In this exclusive episode of the Visante Pharmacy Innovators, our leaders seize the opportunity to delve into this year’s selections for the annual Top 10 and explain why four issues are particularly worth paying attention to. Steve Rough, Phil Brummond and Jim Jorgenson dig deeper into specialty pharmacy and infusion services, consolidated service centers, benchmarking and analytics, and pharmacy revenue. These areas are identified as promising exciting opportunities for health systems in 2024, echoing Steve’s assertion, "There’s more opportunity in pharmacy than ever before.” And be sure to tune in for the insightful conversation on grit and its implications for healthcare leaders.
In this episode, Visante Executive Advisor Jim Jorgenson and Senior Director Dave Hager are joined by two experts in the pharmacy revenue cycle industry who provide valuable insights and knowledge on establishing an effective strategy and structure for success.
Lindsey Amerine and Maxie Friemel, pioneers in the field, offer guidance on initiating the process, assembling a cross-functional team, pinpointing immediate victories, and formulating a long-term strategy. Leaders in health systems are encouraged to listen to this episode to learn more about discovering substantial financial benefits within their own organizations.
Unscripted Podcast link
Establishing a pharmacy revenue integrity team: A blueprint for increasing pharmacy’s role in health-system revenue cycle link