Jennifer Tussey

Biographical Information
Jennifer Tussey received a bachelor's degree in pharmaceutical sciences from Ohio State University, prior to getting her PharmD at St. Louis College of Pharmacy. She began in retail pharmacy, managing one of the highest volume stores in the state, before stepping back into a staff role in specialty pharmacy, then transitioning to health system specialty pharmacy management. While the pharmacy originally began to serve Barnes-Jewish Hospital transplant patients, it has expanded to systemwide support for rheumatology, oncology, gastroenterology, cystic fibrosis, multiple sclerosis and general neurology. Jennifer is a certified HIV Pharmacist, and a member of the Mountain Plains Advisory Committee for the American Academy of HIV Medicine. She is a member of ASHP, MSHP (Missouri) and the Missouri Hospital Association Pharmacy Advisory Group. She is assistant secretary in her neighborhood association and a wedding officiant.

Current employment, practice, and academic responsibilities:
BJC HealthCare, Advanced Family Care Pharmacy, Specialty Pharmacy Manager

Significant projects and accomplishments:
Recently, we have worked with our health system's Pharmacy & Therapeutics Committee to improve our post-exposure prophylaxis process, both occupational and nonoccupational post-exposures and have streamlined the process to provide greater protection to our patients and employees. Additionally, we have worked with the health system to increase capture rate of specialty medications through an electronic medical record build that routes to our specialty pharmacy.

What kind of advice would you provide for someone new to your specialty area?
Increase your knowledge of Medicare, specifically medical billing of post-transplant immunosuppressants, and get to know the intricacies of the 340B program.

What is your current involvement with ASHP?
I am currently a workgroup lead in the Business Development SAG of the Section of Specialty Pharmacy Practitioners.

Why did you become involved in ASHP?
I became involved in ASHP to network and learn from other specialty pharmacies.

How would you explain the value of ASHP to a friend or colleague?
The greatest value is the ability to network, and bounce ideas off of other likeminded individuals. I have gained so much knowledge and support by working with other managers in the specialty advisory group.

What is the value of ASHP for the profession?
ASHP brings value to the profession by providing education, bringing high quality pharmacists together, and providing resources for growth and advocacy of pharmacy goals.