Rilwan Badamas

His Story

Rilwan Badamas, Pharm.D. CPHIMS, is the Manager, Pharmacy Informatics at National Institutes of Health (NIH), Clinical Center in Bethesda, Maryland. He obtained his Bachelor of Science in Medical technology at Morgan State University and Doctor of Pharmacy degree at University of Maryland Baltimore. He completed his PGY-1 Pharmacy Practice Residency at Mayo Clinic Florida and subsequently completed his PGY-2 Pharmacy Informatics Residency at Mayo Clinic Minnesota. He then joined NIH as an informatics pharmacist and was recently promoted to his current poisiton. Dr. Badamas is a Certified Professional in Healthcare Information and Management Systems. Dr. Badamas has been active for several years in ASHP, most recently serving as a member of the Section of Pharmacy Informatics and Technology Advisory Group on Pharmacy Operations and Automation.

Overview of Facility/Health System

National Institutes of Health Clinical Center located in Bethsda, Maryland is the nation's largest hospital devoted entirely to clinical research. The 200-bed Hospital has been a leader in the “bench-to-bedside” concept. Its specialized hospital design places patient care units in close proximity to research laboratories. About 1,600 clinical research studies are in progress at the Clinical Center. Half are studies of the natural pathogenesis of disease, especially rare diseases, which often are not studied anywhere else. Pharmaceutical care is provided through specialized pharmacists utilizing advanced automation and technology in a point of care, team-based practice model.

Significant Projects

As the pharmacy informatics manager, Dr. Badamas is leading a $3 million pharmacy modernization project to implement major pharmacy informatics automation systems such as IV Workflow system, Smart Pump wireless connectivity, clinical intervention assistant, Automated Dispensing Cabinet upgrade, Anesthesia Workstations and Inventory Management System in addition to improving the workflow and processes. 

Advice for Someone New to Your Specialty Area

I would advise someone new to be actively involved in one of the pharmacy informatics advisory group while continuing to seek opportunities for learning. I think it’s fair to say almost all hospital pharmacies have some form of technology related project going on. Use that as an opportunity to learn about the field of pharmacy informatics.

Value of ASHP to a friend or colleague

ASHP has provided a platform where different health-system pharmacists exchange ideas and advocate for the profession of pharmacy. ASHP was valuable for me as a student, resident and now as an informatics pharmacist.

Value of ASHP for the profession

ASHP provides best practice standards that can be utilized by all hospital systems in either clinical practices or pharmacy operations. In addition, by providing accreditation standards for the pharmacy residency programs, all pharmacy residency graduates will be confident they attain the appropriate learning experience upon completion of the program.

What is your current involvement with ASHP?

I became involved in ASHP during my time as a pharmacy student. I obtained leadership positions and volunteered for different initiatives. Currently, I am involved in the ASHP Section of Pharmacy Informatics and Technology through the Section Advisory Group for Pharmacy Operations and Automation.

Why did you become involved in ASHP?

I became involved in ASHP because of the several networking and continuing education opportunities it provides. Being an active member has provided me with different resources that are useful for my continuing education in the field of pharmacy. I hope to further make contributions by being an active member of the group.