Much of the world has turned to virtual communication over the last 9 months. This includes quality and regulatory agencies as well. This podcast will highlight the journey of 2 specialty pharmacies who underwent a virtual URAC accreditation, touch on lessons learned, and provide recommendations for other members.
SPEAKERS
Michael DeCoske currently serves as Assistant Vice President of Ambulatory Pharmacy Services at Baptist Health South Florida in Miami, Florida. Prior to this role, he served as Associate Chief Pharmacy Officer for Ambulatory Services at Duke University Hospital in Durham, North Carolina. Dr. DeCoske completed a PGY1 and Health System Pharmacy Administration (PGY2) Residency at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, South Carolina. He completed his Doctor of Pharmacy degree at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Dr. DeCoske is committed to professional pharmacy involvement. He currently serves as a member of the ASHP Section of Specialty Pharmacy Practitioners Business Development Section Advisory Group. He is a co-author of the ASHP Pharmacy Leadership Field Guide and the ASHP Specialty Pharmacy Resource Guide. DeCoske holds distinction as a Board Certified Pharmacotherapy Specialist.
Melissa Ortega, Pharm.D., M.S Tufts Medical Center and Floating Hospital for Children Boston, Massachusetts Education: Doctor of Pharmacy at Nova Southeastern University, 2010; ASHP Accredited PGY-1 & PGY-2 Residency Program Pharmacy Practice & Health-System Pharmacy Administration, University of Wisconsin Hospital, and Clinics, 2012; Masters of Science, Health-System Pharmacy Administration, University of Wisconsin, 2012. Current Position: Pharmacy Director, Outpatient Pharmacy Services Melissa Ortega, Pharm.D., M.S., is Director, Outpatient Pharmacy Services at Tufts Medical Center in Boston. She leads clinical and operational services across ambulatory clinics, and three outpatient pharmacies including a Specialty Pharmacy service center. Melissa has established comprehensive medication management in over 10 specialties for adult and pediatric patients. Recently, Tufts Medical Center achieved URAC Specialty Pharmacy Accreditation. Melissa received her doctorate of pharmacy degree from Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Fl., and completed her pharmacy practice and health-system pharmacy administration residencies at the University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics. Melissa served as President of the Massachusetts Society of Health-System Pharmacists and is an active advisory group member in the ASHP Section for Specialty Pharmacy Practitioners.
Bryan Schuessler completed his HSPA residency training at the University of Kansas Health System. Post residency he served in operations management at the University of Florida Health, and Saint Luke's Health System. Bryan currently serves as the Director of Home Infusion and Specialty pharmacy at Saint Luke's Health System where his professional interests include reimbursement, outpatient pharmacy practice integration, and leadership development. Outside of work Bryan enjoys cycling, fly fishing, and turf destruction (aka golf).