Becker's Healthcare - Pharmacy Leadership Podcast

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.