Associate Member Bios
ACADEMY OF MANAGED CARE PHARMACY
Judith A. Cahill -
As executive director of the Academy of Managed
Care Pharmacy, Judy Cahill has responsibility for policy creation and implementation,
administrative operations, and overall staff leadership of the Academy of
Managed Care Pharmacy (AMCP). The Academy is a professional society
with over 4,700 members nationwide which is dedicated to the continuing professional
development of pharmacists engaged in the practice of pharmacy in managed
care settings.
Judy has been working in the dynamic area of managed health care for the past
15 years. For 11 years she helped direct the activities of the Group
Health Association of America (GHAA), the leading trade association representing
health maintenance organizations in the United States. Her area of responsibilities
included policy development, medical management issues embracing quality measurement
and management, and development of education programs, publications, and research
projects. Prior to her duties with GHAA, Ms. Cahill served as contracting
officer for the HMOs that participated in the United States Federal Employees
Health Benefits Program.
Ms. Cahill holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from LeMoyne College, a Masters
of Arts degree from the University of Cincinnati, and certification as an Employee
Benefits Specialist from the Wharton School of Business. She serves on
several editorial advisory boards and Boards of Directors for organizations
dedicated to serving the pharmacy profession.
AFFINISCAPE, INC.
Adam Weedman,
President & Founder, has worked closely with associations
and the industry for over 15 years. He started his career in the insurance
field implementing products as member benefits, in an effort to help associations
increase non-dues revenues and ease the pinch of non-profit budgets. Realizing
the potential of the internet and the value web services could bring to the
association community, Adam founded Affiniscape, Inc. The company began
providing associations with website management solutions in December 2000.
Over the past five years, Adam has collaborated with Affiniscape’s loyal
network of 750 association partners. His mission is to harness their
resources and synergies and create cost-effective, easy-to-use solutions that
improve association efficiency, productivity and profitability. These
solutions encompass not only association management software, but also revenue
services, and affinity programs.
Adam grew up in the heart of the Midwest: Iowa. He’s married
and has two sons: Greyson, age 5, and Maxwell, 7. While his family keeps him
busy, he enjoys golfing, and loves the outdoors and live music in Austin, TX.
AMERICAN PHARMACISTS ASSOCIATION
Hrant Jamgochian, Esq.,
Director of State Relations and Political
Action for the American Pharmacists Association. Hrant’s primary
role is to develop, implement and coordinate advocacy efforts with APhA’s
state affiliates.
Prior to working for APHA, Hrant served as the Director of Field and State
Operations for the American Psychological Association, where he managing a
grassroots network of more than sixty-thousand practicing psychologists. Hrant
also worked for the Armenian Assembly of America for five years, where he spearheaded
its membership, grassroots and public relations activities during his tenure.
Hrant graduated from the Catholic University of America, Columbus School of
Law and received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Government and Politics from
the University of Maryland.
AMERICAN PHARMACIES
Richard E. Beck,
R.Ph., CAE
Graduate –University of Texas College of Pharmacy- 1968
Practiced pharmacy –retail & chain – Corpus Christi, TX area
Independent pharmacy owner – Rockport, TX, 1972- 1985
Associate Executive Director- Texas Pharmacy Association 1985-1994
Executive Vice President & CEO- Arkansas Pharmacists Association –1994-
June 30th 2003.
Vice President of Pharmacy Affairs- American Pharmacies –July 1 to present. American
Pharmacies is a member owned independent pharmacy buying co-op with approximately
400 member pharmacies based in San Antonio.
Professional Memberships: American Pharmacists Association, National Community
Pharmacists Association, Texas Pharmacy Association, Arkansas Pharmacists Association,
National Council of State Pharmacy Association Executives and Bexar County
Pharmacy Association. Past-President of the Arkansas Society of Association
Executives and currently hold the Certified Association Executive (CAE) designation
granted by the American Society of Association Executives. Was recognized by
Drug Topics Magazine in 1999, as one of Top 50 Pharmacists in America in the
state leaders category.
AMERICAN PHARMACY COOPERATIVE, INC.
William S. Eley II,
is Director of Legislative Affairs for the American
Pharmacy Cooperative Inc. Bill’s responsibilities include assisting
APCI Legislative Affairs Division by identifying and monitoring pharmacy
or healthcare legislation or issues in APCI member states by working closely
with APCI professional government representation and working with state association
executives on the state and national issues. Bill brings over 20 years of
State and Federal legislative and regulatory experience to APCI. Prior to
joining APCI, Bill was the Executive Director of the Alabama Pharmacy Association.
AMERICAN SOCIETY OF CONSULTANT PHARMACISTS
Phylliss M. Moret, RPh
is the Associate Executive Director and chief
operating officer of the American Society of Consultant Pharmacists in Alexandria,
VA.
A 1972 graduate, with honors, from St. Louis College of Pharmacy, Phylliss
practiced pharmacy for eight years in Missouri and Mississippi.
From 1980 - 1993, she was Executive Director of the Mississippi Pharmacists
Association in Jackson, MS. In this capacity, she also had oversight
responsibilities for the Mississippi Pharmacy Foundation and Enhanced Pharmacy
Care, Inc., a PSAO network of community pharmacies.
In 1993, she moved to Washington, DC, to become Director of State Services
for the American Pharmaceutical Association and in April, 1994 she became Associate
Executive Director for ASCP.
ASTRAZENECA
Harvey Maldow
is the Director of Professional Relations at AstraZeneca. Harvey’s
responsibilities include expanding, developing and maintaining AstraZeneca’s
relationships with national and state cross-therapeutic medical, pharmacy
and allied health organizations in various practice settings. He
works with professional and trade associations and academic institutions
and provides guidance and develops strategies for the company’s scientific,
policy, government affairs sales and marketing groups on initiatives and
issues related to health care professionals. Harvey also represents
the company’s interests on national medical and pharmacy organization
committees.
Prior to joining AstraZeneca, Harvey was Director of Pharmacy Services
at St. Luke’s-Roosevelt Hospital Center in New York with twenty-nine
years experience in acute and ambulatory health care settings. Harvey
was President of the New York State Council of Health-Systems Pharmacists
from 1995 –1997
Harvey has received numerous awards and honors including the Pharmacist
Achievement Award from the New York City Society of Health System Pharmacists,
The Distinguished Alumni Award from his alma mater, New York State Council
of Health System Pharmacists Board of Director’s Award, Harry C Zeisig
Award from the Delaware Pharmacists Society and The California Pharmacists
Association’s Education Foundation Award. Harvey currently
serves on several boards and committees including Pharmacy Today’s
Editorial Board, Chair of the PhRMA Pharmacy Alliance Committee, Arnold & Marie
Schwartz College of Pharmacy’s Council of Overseers, National Association
of Chain Drugstores Pharmacy Industry Council and the dean’s advisory
boards from Midwestern University, Chicago State University and University
of the Pacific
Harvey received his degree in pharmacy and his master’s degree in
hospital pharmacy administration from the Arnold and Marie Schwartz College
of Pharmacy in New York City.
BOEHRINGER INGELHEIM PHARMACEUTICALS
Lance Nicholls, PharmD, R.Ph.
is the Associate Director of Pharmacy
Affairs at Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals(BIPI). Lance’s responsibilities
include fostering relationships with national and state pharmacy organizations. He
also develops and maintains the pharmacy educational interests for BIPI. He works
with academic institutions and trade associations. He also provides guidance
pharmacy-related issues to BIPI.
Prior to this position, Lance started work after pharmacy school graduation
for BIPI as a National Medical Scientist. This position required working with
thought leaders in the urology discipline. Lance was the sole National Medical
Scientist for the United States until accepting his new position in Pharmacy
Affairs. He was able to lay the groundwork in establishing a presence in urology
and laying the foundation for a new team of Medical Science Liaisons in urology.
Today the group numbers around 16. Lance is also a member of the Connecticut
Pharmacist Association’s Executive Committee and has served on that committee
for the past year and a half.
Lance received his doctorate degree in pharmacy from the Ohio State University
College of Pharmacy and his Bachelor’s in Biochemistry from the University
of Nevada, Las Vegas.
CATALYST ENTERPRISES, LLC
MARSHA K. MILLONIG, M.B.A., R.Ph. -
Marsha Millonig is the President
of Catalyst Enterprises, LLC, a health care consulting firm. The company
specializes in projects that help drive pharmacy, distribution and manufacturing
organizations to become more efficient and/or value-added providers of health
care in an effort to improve patient health outcomes. Services include
strategy development and strategic planning, project management, proposal and
grant development, writing and public speaking. The firm's principal
has over 20 years of health care experience leading to diverse knowledge of
supply system issues from manufacturing to distribution to pharmacy to patient
care as well as expertise on evolving business models and the trends leading
to their development.
Through 2001, Marsha served as Vice President of Research and Information
for the Healthcare Distribution Management Association (HDMA), formerly the
National Wholesale Druggists’ Association (NWDA) and headed the philanthropic
HDMA Healthcare Foundation. In that role she led HDMA's research and
intelligence efforts, including the health care environmental scanning/trend
tracking service and related publications. Marsha has spearheaded a number
of cutting-edge research projects in areas including patient privacy & confidentiality
of medical records, components of successful pharmaceutical care, biotechnology
and its impact on health care, regulatory compliance costs and other distribution-related
studies. She joined HDMA in 1991 to manage the group’s supply chain
distribution, information and e-commerce systems and standards efforts.
Before joining HDMA, Marsha spent nearly 8 years with the National Association
of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) working with chain pharmacy executives on issues
in pharmacy operations, professional and state government affairs, and pharmacy
education and practice. She was actively involved with the International
Federation of Pharmacy (FIP) and is currently a member of many pharmacy and
professional associations.
Marsha is a registered pharmacist and received her Bachelor’s Degree
from the University of Minnesota College Of Pharmacy. She completed a
residency in Association Management with the American Society of Health-Systems
Pharmacists (ASHP) in 1983. Her M.B.A. degree, with Marketing and Finance concentration,
was awarded in 1988 from the University of Maryland College of Business and
Management. She is also a practicing pharmacist and pharmacist
immunizer, having volunteered at the Whitman Walker Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Clinic
in Washington D.C. from 1995-2002 and now works relief at Cub Foods and Pharmacy
and HealthPro Staffing in the Twin Cities area.
Ms. Millonig has facilitated more than 100 committee meetings with manufacturing,
distribution, pharmacy and other executives during her career across a wide
range of issues, given more than 125 presentations to audiences ranging from
few to thousands and created, implemented and managed more than 50 research
projects and grant recipients. Her knowledge of cutting-edge business
issues among all segments of the pharmaceutical supply system is sought and
she has published a book with William Tindall on innovative pharmacists called “Pharmaceutical
Care: Insights from Community Pharmacists” available at
www.amazon.com
or
www.crcpress.com
.
ELI LILLY & CO.
John H. Poulin
Manager, Professional Relations
Business-to-Business
Responsibilities: As manager, professional relations for business-to-business,
John’s team is responsible for Lilly’s business dealings with trade
and professional associations in the managed care, hospital, long-term care,
government, chain drug store, community pharmacy, and wholesaler segments. His
team is also responsible for trade groups in both the employer and managed
behavioral healthcare segments.
Experience: John has 25 years of pharmaceutical industry experience, beginning
at Lilly in information technology. He later became district sales manager
for the Washington, D.C. area. John was promoted to manager, MidAtlantic healthcare
accounts, then to manager, national healthcare accounts, before being appointed
to his current position.
Education: John received a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry from Albion
College and a master’s degree in management from Purdue University.
Key Professional Accomplishments: John played a major role in the organizational
transformation of the national healthcare accounts organization within Lilly. He
was the market research analyst during Lilly’s launch into managed care
and served as one of Lilly’s regional account managers in its early years
in the segment. John has completed the Executive Leadership Program offered
by the American Association of Health Plans. He currently serves on a
variety of professional association committees.
Management Philosophy: “Add value.”
Personal Interests: John enjoys playing golf and is an avid Boilermaker fan.
EXPRESS SCRIPTS
Marge Simos
is Director Government Programs and Industry Standards
at Express Scripts, Inc., primarily responsible for training and implementing
Medicare in ESI’s Network pharmacies and identifying the impact of
Industry Standards in the pharmacy arena.
She is also involved in state and national legislative issues affecting pharmacy
through active membership in a number of different state pharmacy associations.
She held a variety of roles in 21 years with Peoples Drug Stores, including
Pharmacist, Director of Pharmacy Administration and Director of Third Party
Operations. She also spent 8 years with AARP Pharmacy Services and served as
Vice President of Pharmacy Programs and Administration responsible for third
party contracting, the development and implementation of the AARP Member Choice
Program, the Prescription Saving Service, as well as the development & implementation
of the Medicare coverage of Diabetes Testing & supplies for AARP members.
A member of NCPDP since 1988, she has served 2 three year terms on the Board
of Trustees, was a Bylaws Chair during ANSI re-accreditation and currently
serves as a Member of the Bylaws committee. Additionally, she serves on the
Educational committee; and, is very active in the Strategic Planning Committee,
in WG11 Prescriber/Pharmacist Interface task group for the development of the
standard for the electronic transfer of prescriptions, as well as WG
11 task group on the electronic Fill Message in the Script Standard. She
is also a member of AMCP.
AS a member of WEDI she actively participates in WEDI NPI Policy Advisory
Group (PAG) and participates in a number of other WEDI activities. She is a
current NCPDP WG3 Standard Identifiers Co-Chair and welcomes the opportunity
to continue to positively impact the profession of pharmacy.
GENERIC PHARMACEUTICAL ASSOCIATION
Kathleen D. Jaeger -
In April 2002, Kathleen Jaeger assumed the duties
of the Generic Pharmaceutical Association’s (GPhA) President and Chief
Executive Officer. Prior to joining GPhA, Jaeger was a Partner in the Washington,
D.C., office of Kirkpatrick & Lockhart LLP, where she served as the
national practice leader of K&L’s Food and Drug Practice Group.
Before joining K&L, Jaeger was a Partner with the law firm of McKenna & Cuneo
L.L.P, and served as chairperson of the Food and Drug Practice group as well
as on several recruitment and marketing committees. During private practice,
Jaeger represented both U.S. and foreign corporations in a wide variety of
pharmaceutical matters involving the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and
related governmental bodies. She routinely assisted clients in the development
of competitive research and marketing product strategies, and advised clients
in regulatory and legal matters affecting all stages of product development
and life cycle management. In addition, Jaeger developed congressional testimony
and position papers for both the National Pharmaceutical Alliance (NPA) and
GPhA, which was created through the merger of NPA and other generic industry
associations in 2000.
Jaeger also has interfaced extensively with federal and state legislative
and regulatory bodies on the federal generic approval process; state formularies
and generic substitution restrictions; the value of generic products and the
need to maintain current generic rebate levels; and the opportunities for states
to dramatically lower prescription drug spending through educational programs
and incentives that enhance the usage of generic pharmaceuticals.
Jaeger received her J.D. from Catholic University Law School in 1990 and her
B.S. in Pharmacy with a Minor in Chemistry from the University of Rhode Island
in 1987. She grew up in a family-owned community pharmacy and practiced pharmacy
at the National Institute of Health for a year during law school.
Jaeger’s husband, Greg, is an attorney with the Civil Litigation Division
of the United States Department of Justice. They reside in Oakton, Virginia,
and have three daughters, Amanda, Lillian and Ashley.
GLAXOSMITHKLINE
HEALTHCARE DISTRIBUTION MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION
David Gonzales
, director of state government relations for the Healthcare
Distribution Management Association, has nearly 20 years experience in public
policy development, advocacy, and communications. David has developed a recognized
expertise in health care policy as it relates to the legislative and regulatory
process. He regularly testifies before legislative committees and works closely
with senior state agency administrators to formulate and implement health
care policies.
Prior to joining HDMA, David served as the Senior Director of Public
Affairs for the Texas Pharmacy Association where he was responsible for developing
legislative strategy, coordinating coalition building, and cultivating working
relationships with key policymakers and their staff. While at TPA, David managed
legislative and policy communications including the content and message for
TPA press releases, electronic communications, journal and newsletter articles,
and public presentations.
David’s background includes directing public affairs and representing
the interests of 550 independent Texas pharmacists on a variety of state legislative
and regulatory health care issues. As the Director of Governmental Affairs
and later the Vice President of Public Affairs for Legend Pharmacy, David served
as the primary spokesperson and advocate for independent pharmacists at the
Texas Capitol. Throughout his tenure with Legend Pharmacy, he served as the
Treasurer and Administrator for the Texas Independent Pharmacy Political Action
Committee (Pharmacy PAC).
David also served the Texas Senate for nearly decade where he worked for a
State Senator as legislative aide. During his years at the Texas Senate, David
coordinated legislative policy and monitored wide-ranging public policy issues.
David's career also includes work with an Austin-based public relations firm,
serving as an assistant congressional campaign manager, and managing his own
consulting firm.
INTERNATIONAL
ACADEMY
of COMPOUNDING PHARMACISTS
L.D. King
LEARNSOMETHING.COM
Rick
Fuelling
is a seasoned business professional with more
than 25 years of consulting and sales management experience. Rick's background
includes extensive experience in the Pharmaceutical and Health Care Industry,
including business development, mergers and acquisitions, technology planning,
and financial business analysis. Rick served as the Executive Vice President
and Chief Operating Officer for Coastal Physician Group. He has a strong
and successful background in technology and software start-ups, building
sales and marketing organizations and revitalizing corporations in turn-around
strategy. He has worked in both public and private sector corporations and
has successfully owned several consulting businesses in the past.
MALLINCKRODT PHARMACEUTICALS
Stephen Mullenix
joined Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals in 2004 as Associate
Director of Professional & Trade Relations. Prior to accepting
his current position Steve served as Vice President of Managed Care & Professional
Services and Vice President of Professional & Industry Relations during
a ten year period with the national pharmacy franchise organization, Medicap
Pharmacies, Inc. He is the former Executive Vice-President of the
national drug utilization review and pharmacy consulting company, Q-A, Inc. Steve
also served as Vice-President and Chief Operating Officer for the Iowa Pharmacy
Association (IPA) and its for-profit subsidiary, PNI, and was instrumental
in the development of the very successful “Iowa Drug Utilization Review
Program”.
Steve has been an active member of numerous state and national pharmacy organizations
including the Iowa Pharmacy Association (IPA), the American Pharmacists Association
(APhA), the National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA), the Academy
of Managed Care Pharmacy (AMCP), the National Association of Chain Drug Stores
(NACDS), the American Society of Health System Pharmacists and the National
Council on Prescription Drug Programs (NCPDP).
Steve’s current elected positions and appointments include serving as
Past Chairman and member of the NCPDP Board of Trustees, Chairman of the Board
of Directors of the Iowa Pharmacy Association, Vice President of the Iowa Prescription
Drug Corporation Board of Directors, member of the APhA and Iowa Pharmacy House
of Delegates, member of APhA’s Editorial Board and numerous other professional
and civic appointments.
Mr. Mullenix is a graduate of the University of Iowa College of Pharmacy and
began his career in community and hospital pharmacy, serving more than ten
years as Director of Pharmacy Services in a regional health center. Steve
has served in a number of research, consultant, teaching, and administrative
capacities and now represents Mallinckrodt in the areas of government affairs,
managed care and professional and industry relations. Mr. Mullenix
has been quoted in a number of national publications and is a frequent speaker
at many national conferences on topics such as quality assurance, managed health
care, pharmaceutical care, and pharmacy technology.
MEDICINE-ON-TIME
John D. Kalvelage, President
Ian E. Salditch, CEO
MEDIMMUNE
Janet M. Westendorf,
Associate Director, Government Affairs has over
17 years experience in the health care industry, and over 14 years expeience
in Government Affairs. At MedImmune, Janet oversees the State Government
Affairs team, and is responsible for directing all state activities relating
to state legislation, regulation, and public policy. Janet has worked
closely with many state pharmacy associations to advance pharmacist education
and growth.
Prior to joining MedImmune in 2003, Janet was with GlaxoSmithKline for 14
years, most recently as an Executive Account Manager in State Government Affairs
with responsibility for the Northwest. Janet received her B.A. in Public Policy
from North Carolina Wesleyan College.
MERCK
David Miller, R.Ph
. is Director, Pharmacy Affairs for Merck & Co.,
the world’s largest developer and manufacturer of prescription drugs.
Miller graduated from the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy in 1985. After
graduation, he joined the staff of the National Association of Retail Druggists
in Washington, DC as Associate Director of Professional Affairs where he was
responsible for the development of continuing education programming and professional
support services for community based practitioners. In 1987, he joined
the Maryland Pharmacists Association as Director of Drug Utilization Review
and served in that capacity until 1990 when he was promoted to the position
of Executive Director. While with MPhA, he was responsible for all aspects
of professional organization management including lobbying, publications, public
relations, and membership recruitment, retention and development.
Miller joined Merck in 1996. Responsible for developing and maintaining
relationships with national and state pharmacy organizations as well as the
schools and colleges of pharmacy, he draws on his extensive experience and
knowledge of the profession to create programs of value to both the company
and to pharmacists. He has lectured extensively on leadership development,
reimbursement for pharmaceutical care services, opportunities within the profession
for improving patient care and medication compliance. In addition to
working with external pharmacy organizations, he is also responsible for aiding
Merck in understanding the profession and the importance of promoting the pharmacist
as an educator and advocate for Merck products.
He is married to a pharmacist, Penney, whom he met at a meeting of the American
Pharmaceutical Association and became engaged to at that same meeting the following
year.
MYLAN PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
Stephen Krinke
, R.Ph. is Executive Director of Pharmacy Affairs and
Trade Development for Mylan Pharmaceuticals, a position he has held for the
past fourteen years. He is a registered pharmacist and graduate of The
Ohio State University College of Pharmacy and provides guidance to Mylan on
pharmacy-related issues.
Steve serves as Mylan’s professional liaison within the pharmaceutical
industry. In this role, his responsibilities include developing and maintaining
relationships with national and state pharmacy organizations, professional
trade associations, and academia. He is also responsible for implementing
pharmacy educational programs within the Mylan Institute of Pharmacy. Other
duties include pharmaceutical sales, risk management programs, formulary placement,
and developing industry advisory panels.
Steve has over thirty years experience in the pharmaceutical industry. Prior
to joining Mylan, he was the Director of Retail Marketing for Harris Wholesale
Co. His chain experience at Peoples Drug Stores included staff
pharmacist, regional pharmaceutical buyer, and corporate pharmaceutical buyer. He
was also the co-owner and manager of an independent pharmacy. Throughout
his career, Steve has served on numerous association committees and advisory
panels.
NACDS
Lee L. Verstandig
,
Senior Vice President of Government Affairs
,
National
Association of Chain Drug Stores
Lee L. Verstandig joined the National Association of Chain Drug Stores in
April 2003 to enhance the association’s stature as pharmacy’s most
powerful trade group. NACDS was pleased to welcome Verstandig and his
extraordinary credentials from public service and academia to serve as Senior
Vice President of Government Affairs.
Overseeing
both state and government affairs, Verstandig is charged with driving NACDS’ lobbying
agenda and keeping the association’s members briefed on issues relevant
to the continued success of community pharmacy.
Most notably,
Verstandig served in President Ronald Reagan’s administration as Assistant
Secretary at DOT, EPA Administrator, Assistant to the President for Intergovernmental
Affairs, Under Secretary for HUD and as Chief of Staff to the First Lady. Complementing
his Executive exposure, Verstandig served as Chief of Staff to Senator John
Chafee (R-RI) from 1977-1981. Verstandig’s extensive work experience
across various branches of government from the White House to the Hill, equip
him with the unique ability to help NACDS successfully navigate through the
sometimes complicated mechanics of Washington politics and policy. His firsthand
knowledge of government functions has injected even greater muscle and influence
into NACDS’ lobbying efforts on the Hill.
No stranger
to the Association world, Verstandig was Senior Vice President for Government
Affairs of the National Association of Realtors from 1998 to 2002. During his
tenure, he garnered that Association national recognition with his policy expertise.
Prior
to his career in Washington and politics, Dr. Verstandig earned his Ph.D. in
History from Brown University in 1970 and served both as a college professor
and academic Dean at Brown in the 1970s.
NACDS is
fortunate to have such a tactician of politics and policy representing our
members’ interest in Washington and beyond the confines of the beltway.
NCPDP
Catherine C Graeff, R.Ph., MBA, is Sr. Vice President, Communication
and Industry Relations for the National Council for Prescription Drug Programs.
Employed at NCPDP since 2005, Ms Graeff has been an active member of the Council
for over 15 years. She served as Chair of several committees including Strategic
Planning, Finance, Educational Programs and the Nominating Committee. In addition,
she served ten years on the NCPDP Board of Trustees and held the offices of
Secretary and Treasurer.
During these years of service to the Council, Catherine held senior level
positions in management, marketing and operations for organizations in the
health care industry. She has developed specific expertise in the areas of
government health care policy, transaction standards development, medical claims
imaging and processing, managed care, administrative and claims information
systems. Catherine also was a professor in the Entrepreneur Program at the
University of Southern California Graduate School of Business.
Catherine received her bachelor’s degree in Pharmacy from the University
of Nebraska Medical Center, and her MBA from the University of Houston. She
is a frequent speaker in the healthcare industry.
Founded in 1977, NCPDP is a not-for-profit, ANSI-accredited, Standards Development
Organization with approximately 1400 members representing various sectors of
the pharmacy services industry. NCPDP membership provides leadership and healthcare
business solutions through education and standards created using the consensus
building process. NCPDP has been named in federal legislation, including HIPAA
and the MMA. NCPDP members have created standards such as the Telecommunication
Standard and Batch Standard, the SCRIPT Standard for e-Prescribing, the Manufacturers
Rebate Standard and more to improve communication within the pharmacy industry.
NCPDP data services include the NCPDP Pharmacy Database of over 70,000 pharmacies
and the HCIdea™ database of prescribers.
NCPA
Reginia Grayson Benjamin, Esq.
is Director of State Government Affairs for
the National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA) and has been with them
since 2003. In that capacity, she is responsible for promoting NCPA’s
legislative and regulatory agenda at the state level as it relates to issues
that impact community pharmacists. Benjamin brings more than 20 years of health
care experience to NCPA.
Benjamin comes to NCPA from AmeriChoice Health Services Inc. based in Vienna,
Virginia where she was an associate general counsel in the legal department.
She was responsible for in-house legal assistance to the corporate office of
AmeriChoice and its affiliates operating Health Maintenance Organizations in
Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York.
Before working at AmeriChoice, Benjamin was associate general counsel of the
legal, contracts, and compliance department of Coventry Health Care, Inc. of
Bethesda, Maryland, a Fortune 500 company. While at Coventry, Benjamin was
responsible for legal and compliance issues in 20 states and litigation management.
Benjamin spent more than 8 years in the legal/state affairs department of
Health Insurance Association of America (HIAA) where she specialized in managed
care issues on a national level and handled state health care issues in 7 states.
She worked closely with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners,
the National Association of Managed Care Regulators and other trade associations
on small group market reform and managed care issues. Prior to joining HIAA,
she spent 8 years as a regulator with the Virginia Bureau of Insurance and
the Pennsylvania Insurance Department.
Benjamin has an undergraduate degree from the Hampton Institute, a law degree
from the University of Richmond School of Law and is admitted to the bar in
the Commonwealth of Virginia.
OUTCOMES PHARMACEUTICAL HEALTH CARE
Patty Kumbera
is a co-founder and Chief Operating Officer for Outcomes
Pharmaceutical Health Care, located in Des Moines, Iowa. Outcomes is a market
leader in the field of Medication Therapy Management Services (MTMS). Different
from a health insurance company or pharmacy benefit manager, Outcomes is a new
kind of company helping consumers, employers, and heath plans get more value
from their medication purchases and reduce Medication Waste. Outcomes has found
a solution to this problem in a unique place – local pharmacists.
She is a registered pharmacist and received a BS degree in Pharmacy from Drake
University in 1988. Patty gained experience in both independent and chain community
practice settings as a staff pharmacist and pharmacy manager. Before assuming
her position with Outcomes, Patty was the Director of Managed Care Services
at the Iowa Pharmacy Association, where she oversaw administration of research
projects studying the impact pharmacists could have on total health care costs.
In additional to her Outcomes responsibilities, Patty has been an active contributor
to organized pharmacy on the local, state, and national level for many years
and was named one of American Druggist's 50 Most Influential Pharmacists in
1999. Patty currently serves on the APhA STAT committee on pharmacy reimbursement,
and was appointed to represent APhA on the Pharmacist Services Technical Advisory
Coalition (the Coalition…previously known as the X12 Pharmacy Advisory
Panel) addressing HIPAA and pharmacist professional service claims. She also
served on the AMCP Framework Committee and currently serves on the National
Institute for Pharmacist Care Outcomes (NIPCO) Board. She is a member of the
National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA), American Pharmaceutical
Association (APhA), Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy (AMCP), Central Iowa Pharmacists
Association (CIPA), and the Iowa Pharmacy Association (IPA). She is currently
an externship preceptor and adjunct faculty for Drake University, University
of Iowa, Creighton and UMKC Doctor of Pharmacy students.
Patty also serves her community through her volunteerism as a member of the
Bernie Lorenz Recovery Center Board of Directors, a graduate of the Greater
Des Moines Leadership Institute, actively involved Walnut Hills United Methodist
Church, golf partner to husband, Tod, and of course, lead-cheerleader of her
2 children's sports activities.
PFIZER
David Searle, R.Ph.,
graduated from the University of the Pacific
in 1970, and began a career in pharmacy now spanning more than 30 years.
David purchased his first pharmacy in 1979, and eventually owned and operated
3 independent community pharmacies for 20 years.
David joined Pfizer in 1998 as a Clinical Education Consultant, and worked
primarily with community pharmacy to assist in the implementation of patient
focused programs.
In 2003 David was promoted to the Trade Group as Director, Pharmacy Development. David
works as a liaison between Pfizer’s medical teams and the database providers
to manage drug-drug interactions and managing pricing data. In addition, David
works with national and state pharmacy associations to enhance relationships
and engage in policy dialog.
PFIZER
Walt Slijepcevich, RPh
, is the Director of Pharmacy Development at
Pfizer. Walt’s responsibilities include maintaining and enhancing
the relationships with the national and state retail pharmacy associations,
with the goal of aligning efforts in areas of mutual interest. He is
also the primary point of contact to the pharmacy clinical database providers.
Prior to joining Pfizer, Walt was Director of Clinical Services and Brand
Pharmaceutical Purchasing at Eckerd Drug. He started at Eckerd in 1993,
and was responsible for building Eckerd’s PBM operation, Eckerd Health
Services. From 1984 to 1993, he worked for Caremark. He relocated
from their corporate headquarters in 1991 to Richmond, VA, were he was General
Manager of their PBM operation. He received his baccalaureate degree
in pharmacy from the University of Illinois at Chicago, College of Pharmacy.
PHARMACEUTICAL RESEARCH AND MANUFACTURERS OF AMERICA
John O’Brien
, PharmD, is Director of State Policy at the Pharmaceutical
Research and Manufacturers of America. His responsibilities at PhRMA
include developing and executing the state policy agenda in concert with
government affairs advocacy, ally development, and communications efforts;
managing policy development on issues related to Medicaid and other state
health care programs; and presenting PhRMA policy positions at meetings,
legislative hearings, and regulatory agencies. John is the State
Government Affairs subject matter expert on evidence-based medicine, options
for the uninsured, and issues relating to pharmacy.
Prior to joining PhRMA, he was Manager of State Government Affairs, Manager
of Medical and Scientific Affairs, and a Medical Science Liaison at Sankyo
Pharma Inc.
John was the 2000-2001 Executive Resident in Association Management at
the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists. He also completed the
Paul G. Cano Legislative Internship at the American Society of Consultant Pharmacists,
and the American Medical Student Association/Merck Health Policy Fellowship
at the American Pharmacists Association.
He is a 2000 Doctor of Pharmacy graduate from Nova Southeastern University,
and is currently a candidate for the Master of Public Health degree at
the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. His leisurely pursuits
include studying consumer-driven health care, researching the evolution
of pharmacy and the pharmaceutical industry, and giving motivational presentations
to pharmacy students and associations. His greatest moment as a pharmacist
was hearing Michael Jackson's booming voice shake the stadium rafters during
graduation with "I will embrace and advocate change in the profession
of pharmacy that improves patient care."
PHARMACISTS MUTUAL COMPANIES
Shelly A. Brown, AIS
is the Assistant Vice President – Marketing
for Pharmacists Mutual Insurance Company, a nationally recognized leader
and provider of insurance products and financial services for pharmacists
and the pharmacy community. Shelly’s responsibilities include the development
and oversight of Pharmacists Mutual’s marketing, advertising and public
relations programs. She also develops and maintains endorsement relationships
with state and national pharmacy organizations. Brown serves as a Director
on the Board of Pharmacy Marketing Group (PMG), a national marketing and
distribution company owned by 30 state pharmacy associations and Pharmacists
Mutual Insurance Company.
PHARMACY MARKETING GROUP, INC.
Steve C. Firman, R.Ph., M.B.A., FAPhA
, is the Chief Executive Officer of
Pharmacy Marketing Group, Inc., a national marketing and distribution company
owned by twenty-four state pharmacy associations and the Pharmacists Mutual
Companies. He is also the president of FPCI, an administrative management consulting
firm, and the owner of Pharmacy Care Centre, a clinic-based pharmaceutical
care practice in Anamosa, Iowa.
Firman received his Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy degree from the University
of Iowa College of Pharmacy in 1976 and earned his Master of Business Administration
(MBA) degree from the University of Northern Iowa in 1984. Before joining PMG,
he served as Director of Pharmacy at Allen Memorial Hospital in Waterloo, Iowa
for 16 years and then as Legislative Liaison and Vice President, Business Development
and Special Projects for the Iowa Pharmacists Association.
Steve is a past president of the Iowa Pharmacists Association and APhA's Academy
of Pharmacy Practice and Management, as well as being a former board member
and officer of the American Pharmaceutical Association Foundation. Firman
serves on numerous other state and national pharmacy-related boards and committees. In
addition to his professional activities, he is a very active community service
volunteer at the local and state levels.
PREMIERE GLOBAL SERVICES
Jim Gray
PROCTER & GAMBLE
Jenelle Sobotka
, Pharm.D. is Director of Professional Relations
with Procter & Gamble. Prior to joining P&G in 1998, she was Associate
Director of the Iowa Pharmacy Association and Director of the Iowa Center for
Pharmaceutical Care (ICPC). ICPC provides pharmaceutical care implementation
training. Her practice background also includes community, clinical specialist,
and academia.
Dr. Sobotka is currently serving on the APhA Board of Trustees and is a past
board member of the Ohio Pharmacists Association Board of Directors. She
is a member of many pharmacy organizations, including APhA, OPA, ASHP, ASCP,
NCPA, and ACCP. Dr. Sobotka's experience with pharmaceutical care projects
includes specific interest in the application of patient care management skills
to the Self-Care arena. Dr. Sobotka co-authored the book, "A Practical Guide
to Pharmaceutical Care" written by the ICPC faculty and published by the American
Pharmaceutical Association.
SAN ANTONIO
CARE CENTER PHARMACY
Daniel Staniec,
RPH,MBA has over twenty years experience working in
the pharmaceutical industry. Dan represents the the San Antonio
Care Pharmacy. Previously, Dan worked as the Executive Vice President of
External Affairs for NCPDP for six years. In addition, Dan has worked for
chain and independent pharmacies during his career.
SANOFI-AVENTIS
Jim Caro
SANTARUS, INC.
Jeff Wagner
is Senior Director of Trade Sales and Development
for Santarus, Inc., a San Diego based specialty pharmaceutical company. Jeff
is based in Kansas City, and joined Santarus in 2004. In his current
role, he is responsible for policy, strategy development, and execution within
both wholesale and pharmacy segments. Prior to joining Santarus, he
spent 20 years with Aventis Pharmaceuticals (and predecessor companies) in
a variety of sales, management, and home office roles.
SCRIPTPRO
Mike Coughlin
SOLVAY PHARMACEUTICALS
SURESCRIPTS, LLC
Ken Whittemore Jr.,
R.Ph., is Senior Vice President of Clinical Practice
Integration for SureScripts, the organization founded by the National Community
Pharmacists Association and the National Association of Chain Drug Stores to
promote true electronic prescribing between physicians and pharmacists.
Prior to SureScripts, Ken was president of CARE Pharmacies, an independent
community pharmacy franchise in the Washington, DC area. During the decade
before CARE, Ken was Vice President of Management, Professional, and State
affairs for the National Community Pharmacists Association, where he was responsible
for handling the managed care, regulatory, and operational issues that confronted
NCPA’s independent pharmacy members. He also was NCPA’s liaison
to all state, regional, and national pharmacy groups. Earlier, Ken co-owned
a successful independent pharmacy in Western Maryland.
He is a 1976 graduate of the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy, is
licensed to practice in Maryland, and holds an MBA degree from Mount Saint
Mary’s College.
THE TECHNICIAN TRAINER
Mary Anna Marshall
, CPhT, President and CEO of The Technician Trainer
has over 25 years experience. Having experience in all pharmacy settings, she
has developed a thorough knowledge of her work that is respected throughout
the industry. She has received numerous industry awards and has been published
in several industry publications. For the past 12 years she has developed and
taught Prep Courses for taking the PTCB National Certification Exam and continuing
education classes for pharmacy technicians. She has designed courses, written
course curriculum, edited Pharmacy Technician texts for major publishing companies,
and been asked to speak by numerous industry organizations about Pharmacy Technician
education.
Mary Anna’s desire to teach stems from her concern that every patient
receives the best care possible and that every Pharmacy Technician receives
the best education available. She understands the importance of the Pharmacy
Technician in healthcare, and knows that working with pharmaceuticals requires
accuracy, knowledge, and skills. She is a champion of safety in the pharmacy.
In The Technician Trainer online prep course, Mary Anna Marshall shares the
fundamentals of pharmacy and gives you all the information you need to pass
the PTCB Exam.
Mary Anna is an active member of the Virginia Pharmacists Association, Richmond
Pharmacist Association, American Pharmaceutical Association, Academy of Pharmacy
Technicians, and has a Professional License with the Board of Education in
the Commonwealth of Virginia. She currently teaches the Pharmacy Technician
Course at Hanover High School in Richmond, VA and is employed with CVS/pharmacy
as the Regional Pharmacy Intern Coordinator for VA. She is married to Don and
has two children Dawn and Travis.
TEVA NEUROSCIENCE
Mike Pursel, R.Ph., MBA
joined Teva Neuroscience in September, 2002. His
primary objective is to assist in the development, coordination, communication,
and implementation of innovative national professional education strategies
and tactics with a special emphasis on increasing or developing the national
opinion leader’s network.
His background in the industry consists of positions in professional education,
professional relations, association management, account management, and clinical
science liaison. Prior to joining the industry in 1997, Mike served for 8 years
on the Iowa Pharmacists Association staff, as well as holding pharmacists positions
in the community and hospital setting. Mike holds a BS in Pharmacy and
an MBA from Drake University. He is also currently working on a PhD in Health
Care Administration from Century University. He is currently serving as NCSPAE’s
chair of the Associate Member Advisory Committee, as well as being a member
of various national/state pharmacy organizations.
He resides in Leawood, Kansas with his wife, Terry, whom he calls the "real" pharmacist
of the family, and their "attack cat" Cassidy. Mike's daughter,
Erin, is in her first year at the University of Kansas.
THIRD PARTY SOLUTIONS
USP
Arline Bilbo
is the Director of Member and Professional Relations for
the USP (U.S. Pharmacopeia) in Rockville, MD. In that capacity, she has
oversight for activities between USP and the 400-plus organizations that make
up USP’s Membership. She also works with the USP Membership Committee
to identify new member organizations for USP. Ms. Bilbo’s primary
focus is on building strong relationships with key organizations and creating
opportunities for meaningful interactions on issues of common interest. She
executes USP’s strategic communication approach to ensure a greater understanding
of USP programs, policies, and services among key organizations and members. Arline
also monitors key organizations in order to understand and communicate to USP
staff the issues, activities and policies of these constituencies and organizations. Ms.
Bilbo is responsible for ensuring that USP member resolutions are implemented
between Convention meetings.
Ms. Bilbo assumed her current position on July 1, 2004. She has worked
for USP for fifteen years, in increasingly responsible membership and professional
relations capacities. Prior to coming to USP, Ms. Bilbo was HR Manager
for the Eastman Kodak Company at its laboratory in Rockville, MD.
VALUE DRUG CO.
Carmen A. DiCello, R.Ph.
is a founder and President of DiCello and Associates,
Inc. and Director of Government and Public Affairs for Value Drug Company. Prior
to 2002, Mr. DiCello served as Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Pharmacists
Association for 22 years. His extensive lobbying efforts have earned
him an enviable level of recognition among Pennsylvania legislators. He
is respected for his bipartisan approach and his integrity, and has frequently
been called upon by members of both parties to serve as a credible resource
for pharmacy and related health care issues. His activities have been
commended by numerous legislators as they addressed PPA members over the years – most
recently by Senator Allen G. Kukovich (Chairman, Pennsylvania Democratic Committee)
on July 26th, 2002. Formal commendations from the Senate of Pennsylvania,
the House of Representatives of Pennsylvania, the recently elected Senator,
and former Auditor General of Pennsylvania Robert P. Casey, Jr. and the Attorney
General of Pennsylvania Mike Fisher were presented to Mr. DiCello in July 2002.
Mr. DiCello is co-owner of two pharmacies in Pottsville. He also served
as Director of Pharmacy at the Pottsville Hospital and Warne Clinic for over
20 years. His fifteen years’ experience as a member of the Board
of Education of the Pottsville Area School District and his tenure as President
of the Pottsville Downtown Business Association have further enhanced his leadership
and problem-solving skills.
Mr. DiCello is a member of the National Community Pharmacists and has served
on the Steering Committee for National Legislation and Government Affairs for
several years. In 1995, Mr. DiCello received the NCPA Independent Pharmacist
of the Year Award.
Mr. DiCello graduated from the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy in Science
in 1958 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Pharmacy.
WYETH PHARMACEUTICALS
Thomas J. Croce Jr., RPh
National Association of Scientific Proliferation and Advancement
5501 Patterson Ave., Suite 202
Richmond, VA 23226
Phone (804) 285-4431
Fax (804) 285-4227