In our latest episode, Dr. Eric Maroyka, Pharm.D., BCPS, Director, Center on Pharmacy Practice Advancement sits down with Ross Thompson, M.S., R.Ph., Vice President and Chief Pharmacy Officer, Tufts Medical Center to discuss COVID-19 preparation, response, and mitigation lessons learned to share with the field.
In this second installation, Mr. Thompson discusses lessons learned and key planning considerations for hospital and health-system pharmacy leaders with respect to pandemic planning, response, and mitigation. The coronavirus pandemic is stressing our healthcare system infrastructure, has the potential for a devastating economic fallout, and will test the outer limits of healthcare worker resilience. The potential and actual surge in COVID-19 patients is threatening the capability and capacity of the US healthcare system as well as the safety and welfare of healthcare workers.
SPEAKERS
Ross W. Thompson, M.S., R.Ph. is the Vice President and Chief Pharmacy Officer at Tufts Medical Center and the Floating Hospital for Children in Boston, Massachusetts. Ross is also Assistant Professor of Medicine at Tufts University and Clinical Assistant Professor at Northeastern University’s School of Pharmacy.
Thompson received his Bachelor and Master of Science Degrees from the University of Kansas and completed his residency at the University of Kansas Medical Center. Prior to joining Tufts MC, Thompson served in pharmacy practice leadership roles at the University of Texas Medical Branch and the University of North Carolina Hospitals. He also led pharmacy practice management and consulting services as a Vice President within McKesson Corporation.
In his current role at Tufts MC, Thompson oversees pharmacy services within this 451 bed academic medical center providing a full complement of adult and pediatric care. The Department of Pharmacy consists of 225 FTEs and an operating budget of $125 Million. Services consist of an integrated practice model in support of acute care; satellite-based pharmacy services for two ambulatory infusion centers, clinic-based ambulatory practices; and three outpatient pharmacies including a Specialty Pharmacy service center.
Thompson remains active in the Massachusetts Society of Health System Pharmacists having served as Treasurer, a Director on the Board, and as President. Ross is also active in the American Society of Health System Pharmacists having served as Vice Chair of Section for Pharmacy Practice Managers and as a member of the Council on Administrative Affairs and the Council on Pharmacy Management.
Eric Maroyka, Pharm.D., BCPS, joined ASHP in May 2016 as the Director, Center on Pharmacy Practice Advancement. He is responsible for the Practice Advancement Initiative focused on transforming the practice of pharmacy to enhance the role of the pharmacist in providing direct patient care services.
Prior to his current position, he served as the Director of Pharmacy at Fauquier Health in Warrenton, Virginia. Dr. Maroyka also served over 22 years as a commissioned pharmacy officer in the United States Army working in a variety of clinical, pharmacy management/director, and senior leadership roles within the Military Health System.
He earned a Bachelors Degree in Pharmacy and Pharm.D. from Rutgers University and completed a PGY1 Pharmacy Practice Residency at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. Dr. Maroyka is a Board Certified Pharmacotherapy Specialist and is a graduate of the Pharmacy Leadership Institute.
Dr. Maroyka was a past appointed member of the ASHP Section of Pharmacy Practice Managers Section Advisory Group on Pharmacy Business Management and the Council on Pharmacy Management. He served as a delegate to the ASHP House of Delegates representing the Commonwealth of Virginia and as a Federal Delegate with the American Pharmacists Association. He currently serves as ASHP Secretary for the Council on Pharmacy Management and secretary for the Federal Pharmacy Consultants’ Advisory Group. Dr. Maroyka readily accepts and enjoys serving as a preceptor for student pharmacists and pharmacy residents.