Samuel Ubanyionwu

Samuel’s Story

Dr. Ubanyionwu received his Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from Texas Southern University in May of 2010 and his Doctorate of Pharmacy from Texas Southern University College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences in May of 2014. He completed a Postgraduate Year One Pharmacy Residency at Harris Health System in Houston, Texas and a Postgraduate Year Two Pharmacy Informatics Residency at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. Additionally, Dr. Ubanyionwu is a Board Certified Pharmacotherapy Specialist (BCPS). Dr. Ubanyionwu is currently a Medication Management Informaticist at Mayo Clinic, responsible for shepherding the approval of drug library change requests while ensuring that enterprise standards are maintained. He also supports the Ambulatory Medication Therapy Management (MTM) and Specialty Pharmacy Practices.

Since 2017, Samuel has been involved in the ASHP Section of Pharmacy Informatics and Technology’s Advisory Group on Operations and Automation and previously was a member of the ASHP Section Advisory Group on Clinical Information Systems (CIS). While on CIS, he served as a panelist for a live ASHP webinar entitled “Integrating Meaningful Use into Your Daily Pharmacy Practice.”

Overview of Facility/Health System

Mayo Clinic is a tertiary, academic medical center located in Rochester, Minnesota. The Rochester campus is comprised of the Methodist and Saint Mary’s Hospitals, totaling 2,059 licensed beds. In addition, Mayo Clinic has major hospital campuses located in Florida, Arizona, and throughout Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Iowa.

Significant Projects

Dr. Ubanyionwu recently supported the implementation of Epic across the Mayo Clinic enterprise. His accomplishments include overseeing the selection of preferred smart infusion pump devices, standardization of smart infusion pump build, and the convergence of soft and hard limits within our clinical dose error reduction systems. He also supports the Pharmacy Information System to ensure that medication use processes are maintained and interface with downstream auxiliary systems. Dr. Ubanyionwu assisted with the standardization and maintenance of MTM documentation and practice workflows and was most recently involved in ensuring that the EHR system aligned with the 2018 NIOSH List of Antineoplastic and Other Hazardous Drugs in Healthcare Settings.

Initial Involvement in ASHP

“My involvement in ASHP began as a pharmacy student. I recognized early on that there were numerous leadership and networking opportunities available to members within the organization. As I progressed in my professional career, I continued to realize that ASHP had plenty of resources that one could utilize, such as continuing education presentations, monthly editions of the American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy, and state health system organizations that ensure that local matters are addressed.”

Advice for Someone New to Your Specialty Area

“I would advise them to get involved early with the ASHP Section of Pharmacy Informatics and Technology. There, they will find a supportive group of informaticists from all over the world that work to take on projects to advance pharmacy practice in the realm of information technology. I would also recommend they attend the ASHP Midyear and Summer Meetings considering that there is a lot of great content that is shared and amazing networking opportunities. Additionally, there are plenty of great resources available through social media platforms (e.g. YouTube and LinkedIn) where informaticists share experiences and content that are relevant within the scope of Pharmacy Informatics. Don’t take it for granted!”

Value of ASHP

“A career in pharmacy is a pledge to lifelong learning and development. ASHP is the perfect partner to align yourself with as you matriculate through your career considering the vast amounts of resources and supporting network that will assist you in achieving both your personal and professional goals.”

“ASHP is the conduit that connects pharmacists from all types of backgrounds, trainings, and specialties and puts them in environment to thrive in a time where rapid healthcare changes have become the norm. ASHP has an indispensable (pun intended) role in ensuring that contemporary and appropriate tools are available so that all health-systems pharmacists have the opportunity to succeed and practice at the full extent of their education and professional training.”