Jennifer Matias

Her Story

Jennifer E. Matias, Pharm.D., BCPS, CPPS, received her Doctor of Pharmacy degree in 2004 from Midwestern University College of Pharmacy located in Glendale, AZ. She then completed a PGY1 Pharmacy Residency at Kaiser Permanente in Anaheim, CA. From there, Dr. Matias worked in a variety of clinical inpatient settings from pediatrics (Children's Hospital Orange County) to geriatrics (Southern Arizona Veterans Administration Healthcare-System) until she found her passion in medication safety. She previously served as the medication safety officer at Riverside University Health System Medical Center and currently serves as the Senior Manager for Pharmacy Quality and Medication Safety at Kaiser Permanente National Pharmacy Services.

Facility

Kaiser Permanente is one of the nation’s largest not-for-profit health plans, serving 12.5 million members. The integrated health care system consists of 39 hospitals and 727 medical offices in eight markets across the United States: Colorado, Georgia, Hawaii, California, Northwest (Oregon), Washington, and the Mid-Atlantic States (Virginia, Maryland, and the District of Columbia).

Recent Significant Projects

As stated in the ASHP Statement on the Role of the Medication Safety Leader in 2020, "Medication safety is a fundamental responsibility of all members of the profession of pharmacy." As such, one of the key steps to building a robust medication safety program is developing a shared mental model in medication safety. Over the past year, I have led efforts to develop a 4-part medication safety learning series that was completed by over 13,000 pharmacy employees throughout the organization. I also worked collaboratively with medication safety leaders throughout the organization to standardize how medication errors were reported to allow for better tracking and identification of opportunities within the organization's medication use process. I have a strong interest in developing measures and metrics for medication safety technology such as bar-coded medication administration as well as bar-coded medication preparation and am currently working toward organization-wide reports in both these areas.

Current Involvement in ASHP

I am currently serving in ASHP’s Section of Inpatient Care Practitioners as a member of the Section Advisory Group on Medication Safety.

Why did you become involved in ASHP? 

I initially joined ASHP for the BCPS-approved continuing education activities provided. However, I am inspired and invigorated by networking and thought-partnering with others in the practice of medication safety across organizations.

Advice for Someone New to Specialty Area 

Familiarize yourself with current medication workflows by working as a pharmacist in different practice settings. Take advantage of formal training in medication safety including the ISMP Medication Safety Intensive and the ASHP-ISMP Medication Safety Certificate Program. If you have an opportunity, learn process improvement methodology (e.g., LEAN, PDSA). Encourage internal medication error reporting within your organization. Collaborate with operational leaders and front line staff. Don't be afraid to ask questions. Don't give up if the answer to a medication safety proposal is a “no!” Just think of it as "not now." Invite feedback. Be open to new ideas. Most of all, give yourself grace and remember to breathe!

How would you explain the value of ASHP to a friend or colleague?

ASHP provides wonderful opportunities to network and learn from others in many different ways such as online forums, in-person or virtual conferences, webinars, section participation, and podcasts. ASHP also provides a variety of educational opportunities for both pharmacists and pharmacy technicians.

What is the value of ASHP for the profession?

ASHP leverages the collective leadership and talent across the profession of pharmacy to advocate for both the profession as well as the patients in our care. This is done at both a state and national level. In addition, the educational opportunities ASHP provides supports the continual development of the profession overall.