Becker’s asked pharmacy executives from hospitals and health systems across the U.S. to share their greatest lesson from 2024.
The 6 executives featured in this article are all speaking at the Becker’s Healthcare Spring Chief Pharmacy Officer Summit, April 30 – May 1, 2025, at the Hyatt Regency Chicago.
To learn more about this event, click here.
If you would like to join as a speaker or a reviewer, contact Mariah Muhammad at mmuhammad@beckershealthcare.com or agendateam@beckershealthcare.com.
For more information on sponsorship opportunities or vendor access-only badges, contact Jessica Cole at jcole@beckershealthcare.com.
As part of an ongoing series, Becker’s is talking to healthcare leaders who will speak at our conference. The following are answers from our speakers at the event.
Question: What is the biggest lesson you learned in the last year, and why?
Susan Mashni, PharmD. Senior Vice President and Chief Pharmacy Officer of Mount Sinai Health System (New York City): The last year has been one of change in leadership in my organization, so it’s been a year of change for me also! My greatest learnings have been to lose my ego (“ego is not my amigo”, from a great teammate), be open to the seemingly impossible (as we all know, all we know is changing constantly) and to prioritize beyond what I thought was possible. Most meetings and many touch bases really can be reduced. Actively listening is the best skill I can master. Be open to new partnerships, however ludicrous that may seem!
Kuldip R. Patel, PharmD, FASHP. Senior Associate Chief Pharmacy Officer of Duke University Health System (Durham, N.C.): Healthcare is evolving and transforming continuously. This past year, we have experienced numerous challenges and opportunities. Challenges such as the continued increases in the costs of healthcare in the presence of tightening reimbursement for services (including intentional threats to safety net hospitals), vulnerability in staff and patient safety, ongoing disruptions in supply chains. Opportunities include the stabilizing and refocusing on priorities in the post-pandemic era, growing investments in technology and other artificial intelligence tools in healthcare, and growth in advanced therapeutics available to treat and cure diseases. An important lesson I have learned over the years has been the importance of developing and building resilient teams, especially leaders. Focusing on collaboration, transparency, and accountability has been essential to ensure team and organizational success. The way I have acted on this lesson is by empowering individuals to deliver their best, setting clear expectations, and recognizing successes in different and meaningful ways.
Ryan Mezinger, RPh, CPEL. Senior Vice President and Chief Pharmacy Officer of MetroHealth (Cleveland): The biggest lesson has been the critical importance of integrating technology into pharmacy practice, particularly in the authorization process, drug procurement, copay assistance, and automated dispensing systems. These advancements have significantly improved patient access to and affordability of medications, and enhanced the efficiency of pharmacists’ and technicians’ workflows. Technologies have allowed our pharmacy staff to spend less time on mundane tasks and utilize their skills at the top of their license. The adoption of these technologies has demonstrated their potential to transform healthcare and pharmacy delivery.
The integration of technology in pharmacy practice has underscored the importance of adaptability and continuous learning in the ever-evolving healthcare landscape.
Scott Cardona, BSPharm. Assistant Director of Inpatient Pharmacy at Denver Health (Colo.): One of the most important lessons I’ve learned in the past year is the critical role that teamwork plays in our pharmacy’s success. When different departments or individuals operate independently, without clear communication or collaboration, it can lead to misunderstandings, delays, and even safety issues. By understanding each team member’s strengths and weaknesses, we can bring together a cohesive unit that works efficiently, effectively, and safely to deliver the best possible care.
Onisis Stefas, PharmD, MBA. CEO of Vivo Health, Northwell Health (New Hyde Park, N.Y.): Over the past year, the biggest lesson learned is the importance of agility and innovation in pharmacy practice. Embracing digital health technologies like telepharmacy has become crucial for improving patient care and accessibility. Collaboration across healthcare disciplines has also proven vital in optimizing treatment plans and addressing complex clinical challenges such as personalized medication management. Additionally, continuous professional development is essential for staying updated with the latest research and regulations. By leveraging technology and fostering collaboration, we can enhance our professional capabilities and service quality. Ultimately, this adaptability ensures we continue to meet the high standards expected by our patients and community.
Tracey Spangenberg. Associate Chief Pharmacy Officer of UCSD Health (San Diego): It is less about lessons learned but more about reiterating the criticality that health systems operate without silos for care. The best example of where this translates into real patient care impacts, as well as fiscal and operational outcomes for an entity, is the transitions of patients from inpatient to short term care facilities. With the emergence of extremely high cost therapies for rare diseases and oncology the matter has become far more complex. It requires very close collaboration between providers, care teams, payors, facility case managers, inpatient pharmacy and out-patient pharmacy services to navigate the hurdles of Medicare Part B bundled billing. Patients need the continuation of therapy begun inpatient post discharge. Accomplishing this requires great communication and close co-ordination across the health system services, as all are aware delays can lead to readmissions or critical patient impacts.