1 00:00:00,315 --> 00:00:02,605 - This is Laura Dedo with the Becker's Healthcare Podcast. 2 00:00:03,145 --> 00:00:05,325 I'm thrilled today to be joined by Regina Schaumberg, 3 00:00:05,325 --> 00:00:07,045 system Director of Pharmacy, retail, 4 00:00:07,045 --> 00:00:08,685 and specialty pharmacy at Atrium Health. 5 00:00:08,945 --> 00:00:11,045 Regina, it's a pleasure to have you on the podcast today. 6 00:00:11,845 --> 00:00:12,915 - Thank you for inviting me. 7 00:00:13,965 --> 00:00:15,265 - Now, I know we have a lot to talk about. 8 00:00:15,265 --> 00:00:16,825 There's so much happening in the healthcare space 9 00:00:16,845 --> 00:00:19,705 and in particular, I'm excited to learn more about 10 00:00:19,815 --> 00:00:21,025 what you do at Atrium. 11 00:00:21,185 --> 00:00:22,665 I, I know one of the, um, 12 00:00:22,895 --> 00:00:24,785 most well-respected health systems in the country, 13 00:00:24,965 --> 00:00:26,985 so that'll be great to hear more from you. 14 00:00:27,005 --> 00:00:28,625 But before we dive into that discussion, 15 00:00:28,765 --> 00:00:29,865 can you tell me a little bit more 16 00:00:29,865 --> 00:00:31,025 about yourself and your background? 17 00:00:32,455 --> 00:00:35,795 - Um, absolutely. I, I am Regina Schaumberg, as you said, 18 00:00:35,815 --> 00:00:37,995 and assistant director for our retail 19 00:00:37,995 --> 00:00:39,515 and specialty pharmacies, um, 20 00:00:39,595 --> 00:00:41,195 at Atrium Health at Wake Forest Baptist, 21 00:00:41,295 --> 00:00:43,195 and some responsibilities in the Charlotte market. 22 00:00:43,655 --> 00:00:45,955 Um, but that's not all I've done in, 23 00:00:45,955 --> 00:00:47,035 in my professional career. 24 00:00:47,535 --> 00:00:49,795 Um, I've been a licensed pharmacist for close 25 00:00:49,795 --> 00:00:50,915 to 32 years now, 26 00:00:51,455 --> 00:00:53,595 and throughout that, back throughout that time, 27 00:00:53,865 --> 00:00:56,195 I've had numerous opportunities, uh, 28 00:00:56,195 --> 00:00:57,395 with the healthcare system 29 00:00:57,495 --> 00:00:59,715 to learn about all aspects of patient care. 30 00:01:00,455 --> 00:01:02,235 So training from University 31 00:01:02,235 --> 00:01:03,675 of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 32 00:01:04,055 --> 00:01:07,635 and then started working in, in direct, um, hospital 33 00:01:08,825 --> 00:01:09,945 practice soon after that. 34 00:01:10,605 --> 00:01:13,585 So, worked with providers in internal medicine. 35 00:01:13,775 --> 00:01:16,305 I've worked as a specialist with kidney pancreas 36 00:01:16,305 --> 00:01:17,745 and solid organ transplant. 37 00:01:18,215 --> 00:01:21,385 Been a clinical manager for the department, um, as well 38 00:01:21,385 --> 00:01:24,705 as heavily involved in student and residency training. 39 00:01:25,225 --> 00:01:26,585 I was a residency coordinator 40 00:01:26,725 --> 00:01:29,985 for our PGY one pharmacy practice program for close 41 00:01:29,985 --> 00:01:33,545 to 14 years, and then started a PGY one community-based 42 00:01:33,865 --> 00:01:36,905 residency program where I served as the RPD for eight years. 43 00:01:37,325 --> 00:01:39,185 So a lot of investment in learning 44 00:01:39,405 --> 00:01:41,465 and preparing those pharmacists in the future. 45 00:01:42,285 --> 00:01:45,265 Um, over 10 years ago, I made the transition to the retail 46 00:01:45,285 --> 00:01:46,545 and specialty area. 47 00:01:46,765 --> 00:01:49,385 It was beginning to, uh, just take off, um, 48 00:01:49,385 --> 00:01:50,425 especially pharmacy at the time. 49 00:01:50,725 --> 00:01:52,905 We needed a lot of focus with accreditation 50 00:01:52,925 --> 00:01:55,825 and really growing that business that we know has become, 51 00:01:56,205 --> 00:01:58,945 um, even a greater, uh, growth volume 52 00:01:58,945 --> 00:01:59,945 through throughout the years. 53 00:02:00,525 --> 00:02:03,145 So I think my training and background's quite interesting 54 00:02:03,145 --> 00:02:05,185 because I have seen all transitions 55 00:02:05,185 --> 00:02:07,665 of patient care from the acute care space 56 00:02:07,805 --> 00:02:10,345 to starting a transitions of care program in a meds 57 00:02:10,345 --> 00:02:13,785 to beds program, and now looking more in the ambulatory 58 00:02:13,785 --> 00:02:15,385 space and retail specialty pharmacy. 59 00:02:15,565 --> 00:02:17,585 So really seeing the, the patient management 60 00:02:17,585 --> 00:02:19,705 and the patient life cycle full circle. 61 00:02:20,205 --> 00:02:21,705 Um, from a professional standpoint, 62 00:02:21,705 --> 00:02:24,625 been involved in a SHP committees 63 00:02:24,925 --> 00:02:26,585 and work for numerous years, 64 00:02:27,165 --> 00:02:30,505 and in 2010, I also served as the president 65 00:02:30,505 --> 00:02:32,905 of our North Carolina Association of Pharmacists. 66 00:02:33,405 --> 00:02:36,305 So a, a lot of, a lot of different opportunities came 67 00:02:36,305 --> 00:02:38,585 through, um, my ability to say yes 68 00:02:38,965 --> 00:02:41,745 and discern what really drives me in my pharmacy career. 69 00:02:45,105 --> 00:02:47,105 - Fascinating. And it seems like you've got such an amazing 70 00:02:47,105 --> 00:02:49,625 background in pharmacy as well as connecting with patients 71 00:02:49,805 --> 00:02:52,305 and really being able to learn the continuum of care. 72 00:02:52,365 --> 00:02:53,985 So I can imagine that is really helpful. 73 00:02:54,085 --> 00:02:57,865 In your current role, um, in, in, in that vein, 74 00:02:57,935 --> 00:02:59,525 what are some of the top trends you're 75 00:02:59,525 --> 00:03:00,605 following in healthcare right now? 76 00:03:00,605 --> 00:03:01,925 What's really top of mind for you? 77 00:03:03,605 --> 00:03:05,585 - Oh, wow. That, you know, a loaded question. 78 00:03:05,725 --> 00:03:09,265 Um, there's a lot of internal drivers, external drivers, um, 79 00:03:09,285 --> 00:03:11,025 and headwinds and tailwinds that we're having 80 00:03:11,045 --> 00:03:12,345 to, to keep track of. 81 00:03:12,405 --> 00:03:14,745 But if I could narrow that down to a few, uh, 82 00:03:14,765 --> 00:03:16,705 one would be pharmacy workforce or, 83 00:03:16,805 --> 00:03:18,945 or healthcare workforce for that matter. 84 00:03:19,405 --> 00:03:22,505 Um, covid has changed a lot of the ways that we practice, 85 00:03:22,885 --> 00:03:25,665 um, allowed us to leverage different opportunities 86 00:03:25,885 --> 00:03:28,265 and different ways to meet the patients where they are. 87 00:03:28,765 --> 00:03:30,825 Um, but with also, with, with those changes, 88 00:03:31,115 --> 00:03:35,065 we've become competitors, um, with other, um, different 89 00:03:35,405 --> 00:03:36,905 for our, for our same talent pool. 90 00:03:37,365 --> 00:03:39,185 So we are really trying to figure out 91 00:03:39,335 --> 00:03:42,265 what does pharmacy look like now and in the future, 92 00:03:42,365 --> 00:03:45,585 and what does our workforce demand, um, to, 93 00:03:45,765 --> 00:03:47,505 to remain within the profession. 94 00:03:47,605 --> 00:03:50,865 So retaining that great talent that we already have, 95 00:03:51,325 --> 00:03:53,345 and then learning about training opportunities 96 00:03:53,965 --> 00:03:55,945 and pharmacy school enrollment is down 97 00:03:55,965 --> 00:03:58,465 for the first time in decades, so what is 98 00:03:58,465 --> 00:04:00,545 that gonna look like in the next 20 to 30 years? 99 00:04:01,045 --> 00:04:03,585 Um, how are different AI technologies going 100 00:04:03,585 --> 00:04:06,345 to assist pharmacists, not replace pharmacists, 101 00:04:06,345 --> 00:04:08,025 but assist pharmacists in our role? 102 00:04:08,405 --> 00:04:11,225 And then take thinking about the heavy impact 103 00:04:11,225 --> 00:04:12,425 on pharmacy technicians. 104 00:04:12,845 --> 00:04:15,585 The pharmacy technician workforce is a growing workforce, 105 00:04:16,085 --> 00:04:17,425 um, but it also is one 106 00:04:17,425 --> 00:04:19,825 that's being shared across multiple types of care. 107 00:04:20,325 --> 00:04:22,545 Um, so learning about how we can train, 108 00:04:22,645 --> 00:04:25,465 how we can start from perhaps you, the middle school, 109 00:04:25,485 --> 00:04:28,425 the high school area, for folks to start to understand 110 00:04:28,425 --> 00:04:30,265 that pharmacy technicians should be a career 111 00:04:30,415 --> 00:04:32,065 path, not just a job. 112 00:04:32,285 --> 00:04:35,625 And, and we want that great talent so we can continue 113 00:04:35,625 --> 00:04:36,985 to provide you the best care. 114 00:04:37,165 --> 00:04:38,865 So pharmacy workforce is something 115 00:04:38,865 --> 00:04:40,185 that we think about daily. 116 00:04:40,605 --> 00:04:42,545 Um, we can't grow without, without people. 117 00:04:43,165 --> 00:04:44,665 The second would be technology 118 00:04:45,045 --> 00:04:46,905 and really the race for healthcare to keep up 119 00:04:46,905 --> 00:04:48,745 with the private sector, uh, 120 00:04:48,765 --> 00:04:50,745 and along with technology comes data. 121 00:04:51,725 --> 00:04:53,425 And so what does that data look like? 122 00:04:53,885 --> 00:04:56,425 You know, you can, you can look at data, 123 00:04:56,485 --> 00:04:59,225 but what does it mean and how do we discern that data 124 00:04:59,365 --> 00:05:02,585 to make great decisions, um, from how we take care 125 00:05:02,585 --> 00:05:03,745 of our patients to 126 00:05:03,745 --> 00:05:05,945 how well we're performing when we take care of our patients? 127 00:05:06,365 --> 00:05:10,345 So I think in healthcare, we need to be open, um, 128 00:05:10,605 --> 00:05:15,145 to using data open to what technology is out there, um, 129 00:05:15,165 --> 00:05:18,785 and realizing that maybe it doesn't look like we thought it 130 00:05:18,785 --> 00:05:20,025 would with technology, 131 00:05:20,085 --> 00:05:22,625 but just be open to that, to that growth mindset. 132 00:05:23,765 --> 00:05:26,585 And one of the last things I I think about a lot would be in 133 00:05:26,785 --> 00:05:27,945 specialty pharmacy, particular, 134 00:05:28,205 --> 00:05:29,665 the pipeline that's out there. 135 00:05:30,085 --> 00:05:32,225 You know, when I graduated pharmacy school, there weren't 136 00:05:32,225 --> 00:05:33,705 as many medications as there are now. 137 00:05:34,005 --> 00:05:36,105 And really it's keeping up with that pipeline. 138 00:05:36,855 --> 00:05:39,145 With the pipeline comes the treatment strategies 139 00:05:39,445 --> 00:05:41,385 and even the access to the medications. 140 00:05:41,725 --> 00:05:43,545 You know, if we're doing the research on the, 141 00:05:43,545 --> 00:05:47,265 these medications with our patients in our facilities, 142 00:05:47,535 --> 00:05:50,385 then we want to, we want to ensure that we have the ability 143 00:05:50,405 --> 00:05:53,265 to provide those medications from a specialty pharmacy 144 00:05:53,265 --> 00:05:55,545 standpoint and not just joint patient care 145 00:05:55,605 --> 00:05:57,405 by sending those patients elsewhere. 146 00:05:57,825 --> 00:06:00,325 So we need to align closely with their manufacturers. 147 00:06:00,505 --> 00:06:03,405 We need to tell our story better of how we take care 148 00:06:03,405 --> 00:06:04,485 of our patients and 149 00:06:04,485 --> 00:06:06,245 how we can contribute to positive outcomes. 150 00:06:07,835 --> 00:06:09,595 - I love that. I, I think it makes so much sense, 151 00:06:09,655 --> 00:06:12,515 and certainly just fascinating to kind of think through all 152 00:06:12,515 --> 00:06:14,355 of those trends, whether it's looking at the workforce, 153 00:06:14,535 --> 00:06:17,995 having a strong pipeline in place to continue to grow 154 00:06:17,995 --> 00:06:20,195 and develop, and then adding that technology 155 00:06:20,195 --> 00:06:22,075 and integrating it into your current 156 00:06:22,185 --> 00:06:23,875 operational flows and systems. 157 00:06:24,555 --> 00:06:26,995 I, I really appreciate you talking about the growth mindset 158 00:06:26,995 --> 00:06:28,675 because I think so many aspects 159 00:06:28,695 --> 00:06:31,515 of healthcare today really need to, uh, embrace that 160 00:06:31,515 --> 00:06:33,195 and figure out how, um, 161 00:06:33,195 --> 00:06:34,915 to do things differently than they ever have 162 00:06:34,915 --> 00:06:36,835 before to solve big problems. 163 00:06:37,145 --> 00:06:38,275 When you look at your teams 164 00:06:38,455 --> 00:06:41,795 and, um, how you're trying to innovate and grow and develop 165 00:06:41,795 --> 00:06:44,795 and embrace that growth mindset, what does it take to 166 00:06:45,655 --> 00:06:47,435 change the culture, whether a little bit 167 00:06:47,435 --> 00:06:49,355 or a lot in order to really, um, 168 00:06:49,415 --> 00:06:52,315 get yourself into a position that everybody is, um, 169 00:06:52,595 --> 00:06:54,035 thinking in the same way 170 00:06:54,375 --> 00:06:55,835 and really excited about the future? 171 00:06:57,355 --> 00:06:59,325 - Well, I would say that's a loaded question, 172 00:06:59,385 --> 00:07:01,005 but change doesn't happen overnight. 173 00:07:01,305 --> 00:07:03,525 Um, you know, it's, it's, uh, small turns. 174 00:07:04,065 --> 00:07:07,685 Um, it's just developing a sense of community where we have 175 00:07:07,685 --> 00:07:10,485 that open mindset where all ideas are welcome, 176 00:07:11,095 --> 00:07:15,525 where we challenge the, the norm to, to your point, uh, 177 00:07:15,525 --> 00:07:17,285 when you say, you know, healthcare is changing 178 00:07:17,465 --> 00:07:19,485 and we need to be open to those technologies 179 00:07:19,875 --> 00:07:21,565 that may not have been ones 180 00:07:21,565 --> 00:07:23,045 that we would've considered in the past. 181 00:07:23,665 --> 00:07:27,125 Um, but we, we know we're either gonna be limited on, on, 182 00:07:27,345 --> 00:07:29,645 um, teammates, limited on resources, 183 00:07:29,985 --> 00:07:31,925 and we need to design a way to do that. 184 00:07:32,525 --> 00:07:35,165 I think that open mindset starts from the top down. 185 00:07:35,545 --> 00:07:37,925 We have to have leadership that recognizes 186 00:07:37,925 --> 00:07:39,005 that change is inevitable, 187 00:07:39,545 --> 00:07:41,245 and we need to be a positive part of 188 00:07:41,245 --> 00:07:43,645 that change versus driving against that change. 189 00:07:43,875 --> 00:07:45,405 Looking at our frontline staff, 190 00:07:45,475 --> 00:07:46,885 looking at their suggestions. 191 00:07:46,885 --> 00:07:49,965 They're the ones that are, are interacting 192 00:07:50,085 --> 00:07:51,925 with those patients on a day-to-day basis. 193 00:07:52,265 --> 00:07:54,485 We need to recognize that they're the experts in those 194 00:07:54,485 --> 00:07:57,005 fields and we need to support them as leaders 195 00:07:57,545 --> 00:07:59,205 for the technology that they might need, 196 00:07:59,265 --> 00:08:00,885 the additional support they might 197 00:08:00,885 --> 00:08:02,405 need as well as our patients. 198 00:08:02,405 --> 00:08:03,725 We need to listen to our patients. 199 00:08:03,945 --> 00:08:05,485 Um, I think providers have done a good job 200 00:08:05,485 --> 00:08:08,485 for years having patient advocacy groups, um, 201 00:08:08,845 --> 00:08:10,125 inviting patients, um, 202 00:08:10,145 --> 00:08:13,725 or patients, um, caregivers to be part of, of those groups. 203 00:08:14,065 --> 00:08:15,685 And we need to do the same in pharmacy. 204 00:08:15,685 --> 00:08:17,765 We need to listen to our patients, meet them 205 00:08:17,765 --> 00:08:19,685 where they are at providing what they need 206 00:08:19,685 --> 00:08:22,525 because it just might not be what was needed 10 years ago. 207 00:08:23,735 --> 00:08:24,995 - That's such an excellent point, 208 00:08:25,255 --> 00:08:27,475 and, you know, fascinating to think about. 209 00:08:27,815 --> 00:08:29,155 Now, along those lines, 210 00:08:29,455 --> 00:08:31,435 how has your pharmacy program evolved over 211 00:08:31,435 --> 00:08:32,475 the last two to three years? 212 00:08:32,575 --> 00:08:36,315 What's really different today than, um, it ever has been? 213 00:08:38,045 --> 00:08:41,505 - Oh, wow. Um, well, for specialty pharmacy in particular, 214 00:08:41,895 --> 00:08:44,585 that term or concept 10 years ago did not exist. 215 00:08:45,205 --> 00:08:46,945 Um, and to, to, um, 216 00:08:47,205 --> 00:08:50,025 the conversation earlier about my background, you know, 217 00:08:50,105 --> 00:08:52,785 I had been a clinical pharmacist 218 00:08:52,785 --> 00:08:56,045 with a solid organ transplant team where I would interact 219 00:08:56,045 --> 00:08:59,165 with just one or two specialty pharmacies, you know, 220 00:08:59,165 --> 00:09:02,485 15 years ago that would provide those immunosuppressants 221 00:09:02,485 --> 00:09:05,165 and those medications for those newly transplanted patients. 222 00:09:05,785 --> 00:09:07,565 And if you think about how 223 00:09:07,565 --> 00:09:11,605 that has evolved in the past 10 years is over 50% 224 00:09:11,605 --> 00:09:13,765 of the medications that are prescribed now are 225 00:09:13,985 --> 00:09:16,165 deemed specialty medications. 226 00:09:16,665 --> 00:09:19,245 Um, and so there's a lot of opportunity for those patients 227 00:09:19,265 --> 00:09:22,365 for rare disease, um, for oral oncolytics, 228 00:09:22,625 --> 00:09:25,525 you think about medi, uh, treatments for patients that used 229 00:09:25,525 --> 00:09:28,525 to only be in infusion centers or in an acute care bed 230 00:09:28,525 --> 00:09:30,005 or facility have now moved 231 00:09:30,005 --> 00:09:31,645 to the outpatient outpatient setting. 232 00:09:32,065 --> 00:09:34,565 And that is absolutely wonderful if you do not have 233 00:09:34,565 --> 00:09:36,045 to go into a hospital 234 00:09:36,145 --> 00:09:39,685 or into an infusion suite to receive your therapy and, and, 235 00:09:40,305 --> 00:09:42,285 and heal at home and, 236 00:09:42,305 --> 00:09:44,045 and be seen at home even with some 237 00:09:44,045 --> 00:09:45,765 of our hospital at home opportunities. 238 00:09:46,265 --> 00:09:47,845 But really it's the volume growth. 239 00:09:48,265 --> 00:09:51,005 Um, over the past two to three years in our retail 240 00:09:51,005 --> 00:09:52,925 and specialty pharmacies, we're seeing, you know, 241 00:09:52,925 --> 00:09:55,805 double digit growth in volume, not just prescription volume, 242 00:09:56,355 --> 00:09:59,525 that this is an incredibly lucrative revenue stream. 243 00:10:00,025 --> 00:10:02,605 So inter hospital enterprises are looking 244 00:10:02,745 --> 00:10:05,805 to expand those health system specialty pharmacies 245 00:10:05,805 --> 00:10:09,285 because they understand not only do they prevent 246 00:10:09,565 --> 00:10:11,005 fragmentation of care for the patient 247 00:10:11,075 --> 00:10:14,445 that they're seeing all under the same providers, um, 248 00:10:14,845 --> 00:10:17,485 pharmacy, et cetera, within that same locale. 249 00:10:17,825 --> 00:10:21,045 Um, but they're also generating that revenue that gives back 250 00:10:21,465 --> 00:10:24,645 to other patients in the facility that helps sustain, um, 251 00:10:24,955 --> 00:10:27,565 enterprises in a, in a positive financial manner. 252 00:10:28,275 --> 00:10:30,925 That in addition to immunizations, if, 253 00:10:30,925 --> 00:10:33,005 if you think about the covid vaccine response, 254 00:10:33,575 --> 00:10:35,925 there were very limited folks who could give vaccines, 255 00:10:35,925 --> 00:10:37,165 but pharmacists were one of them. 256 00:10:37,305 --> 00:10:40,125 So we were really called to, to service immediately. 257 00:10:40,505 --> 00:10:43,365 We had to be creative with how we were providing vaccines, 258 00:10:43,385 --> 00:10:46,165 how we were getting medications to patients, um, 259 00:10:46,325 --> 00:10:49,005 a little bit unorthodox, a little bit, a little bit, 260 00:10:49,005 --> 00:10:52,405 it felt unusual or might might not be something we were 261 00:10:52,605 --> 00:10:55,845 accustomed to, but those dire times calls for, called 262 00:10:55,845 --> 00:10:57,845 for creative measures and we were able to do that. 263 00:10:58,625 --> 00:11:01,005 Um, you know, and the shifting the patient care into the 264 00:11:01,005 --> 00:11:03,565 ambulatory setting is, is something that's really evolved. 265 00:11:04,145 --> 00:11:06,285 And we, in the specialty and the, 266 00:11:06,285 --> 00:11:10,205 and the retail pharmacy are beginning more so to be involved 267 00:11:10,205 --> 00:11:13,605 with those provider discussions, even as far as looking at 268 00:11:13,605 --> 00:11:15,325 where providers need to be hired, 269 00:11:15,515 --> 00:11:17,245 what specialties do we need to have? 270 00:11:17,555 --> 00:11:20,525 Because if you don't have clinic opportunities for patients 271 00:11:20,525 --> 00:11:22,245 to be seen for six to nine months, 272 00:11:22,595 --> 00:11:23,885 then they can start therapy 273 00:11:24,065 --> 00:11:25,445 and they, they cannot, um, 274 00:11:25,445 --> 00:11:27,085 resolve the issues that they're having. 275 00:11:27,225 --> 00:11:30,485 So again, I think the background, um, I have in acute care 276 00:11:31,245 --> 00:11:34,005 positions me greatly and my team, it provides them 277 00:11:34,005 --> 00:11:35,845 that support and that comfort level 278 00:11:35,995 --> 00:11:39,005 that we can have those conversations with providers as well 279 00:11:39,005 --> 00:11:42,845 as conversations with hospital, um, c-suite type leadership, 280 00:11:43,225 --> 00:11:44,285 um, that what we, 281 00:11:44,395 --> 00:11:46,685 what we say in our knowledge is very important 282 00:11:46,825 --> 00:11:48,765 to the entire spectrum of patient care. 283 00:11:50,465 --> 00:11:51,685 - That's truly fascinating 284 00:11:51,785 --> 00:11:54,605 and definitely I love kind of that story of 285 00:11:54,605 --> 00:11:55,845 how things have evolved so quickly 286 00:11:55,905 --> 00:11:57,885 and then embracing the change and innovation 287 00:11:58,025 --> 00:12:01,845 and, um, really, you know, moving to in a direction that is 288 00:12:01,845 --> 00:12:03,605 so impactful and important to continue 289 00:12:03,605 --> 00:12:04,725 to care for communities. 290 00:12:05,145 --> 00:12:07,085 Now, before we wrap up here, I'm wondering 291 00:12:07,085 --> 00:12:09,125 where do you see some of the best opportunities for growth 292 00:12:09,145 --> 00:12:11,565 and adding value to the system overall? 293 00:12:11,805 --> 00:12:14,325 I know you talked a a little bit about, um, just how, 294 00:12:14,425 --> 00:12:17,125 you know, having that specialty pharmacy focus can really 295 00:12:17,125 --> 00:12:18,325 make a difference and be impactful. 296 00:12:18,505 --> 00:12:20,605 And I would just love to hear from your perspective 297 00:12:20,605 --> 00:12:21,805 where you see all that headed. 298 00:12:23,465 --> 00:12:26,285 - Oh, sure. I, I think it's going to be even more impactful, 299 00:12:26,745 --> 00:12:29,125 um, moving forward in the next three to five years. 300 00:12:29,715 --> 00:12:32,165 Many integrated delivery network opportunities. 301 00:12:32,685 --> 00:12:35,125 I know I've said several times use the term preventing the 302 00:12:35,125 --> 00:12:36,325 fracturing of patient care, 303 00:12:36,785 --> 00:12:39,765 but it really is important to adherence and compliance. 304 00:12:40,105 --> 00:12:42,205 And you, you think about if you have five 305 00:12:42,205 --> 00:12:43,725 or six medications, you're seeing three 306 00:12:43,725 --> 00:12:44,965 to four different providers 307 00:12:45,145 --> 00:12:47,885 and maybe your healthcare insurance is mandating you use two 308 00:12:47,885 --> 00:12:49,005 or three different pharmacies. 309 00:12:49,685 --> 00:12:52,445 I mean, even if you don't have many medications, 310 00:12:52,445 --> 00:12:54,005 that's still difficult to keep up with. 311 00:12:54,385 --> 00:12:57,005 So for some of our patients that have a plethora 312 00:12:57,005 --> 00:12:59,005 of medications with multiple disease states, 313 00:12:59,265 --> 00:13:00,965 that's even more confusing. 314 00:13:01,305 --> 00:13:03,365 So we need to understand that we don't need 315 00:13:03,365 --> 00:13:05,205 to contribute to that confusion. 316 00:13:05,705 --> 00:13:10,125 We need to augment that with ease for patient care, um, 317 00:13:10,225 --> 00:13:12,645 one stop shop, if you will, and make that possible. 318 00:13:13,245 --> 00:13:15,325 I think there's, there's no limit to 319 00:13:15,325 --> 00:13:16,925 what we can do from a health system 320 00:13:17,065 --> 00:13:18,805 to provide the best care to those patients. 321 00:13:19,195 --> 00:13:22,805 It's really telling our story to those outside the, 322 00:13:22,805 --> 00:13:24,885 the walls or the confines of the IDN 323 00:13:24,885 --> 00:13:26,565 or a health, a health system network. 324 00:13:26,975 --> 00:13:29,685 Those are the payers, those are the manufacturers. 325 00:13:30,105 --> 00:13:31,725 Um, I, I think we, we need 326 00:13:31,725 --> 00:13:33,405 to tell our story, we need to tell it better. 327 00:13:33,505 --> 00:13:34,645 We need to tell it more often, 328 00:13:34,645 --> 00:13:37,365 and we need to tell it to anyone who will listen about 329 00:13:37,365 --> 00:13:39,525 what we do it, it's quote, the elevator speech, 330 00:13:39,585 --> 00:13:42,405 the executive summary, what whatever term you wanna use. 331 00:13:43,025 --> 00:13:46,605 Um, pharmacy in itself has not been a great advocate for it 332 00:13:46,705 --> 00:13:48,005 for themselves over the years. 333 00:13:48,145 --> 00:13:50,845 And, and I know just during my time in the career, um, 334 00:13:50,865 --> 00:13:53,205 if there's a, if there's a news story, what do they show? 335 00:13:53,205 --> 00:13:55,205 They show a pharmacist counting pills on it 336 00:13:55,225 --> 00:13:56,365 or tablets on a tray. 337 00:13:56,665 --> 00:13:58,325 Um, but that's not what pharmacy is anymore. 338 00:13:58,425 --> 00:14:00,645 And we're responsible for marketing who we are 339 00:14:00,645 --> 00:14:03,925 and what we can do, um, to the, those payers, 340 00:14:03,925 --> 00:14:05,925 those manufacturers, to those executives 341 00:14:05,945 --> 00:14:07,085 as well as to the patients. 342 00:14:07,545 --> 00:14:11,125 Um, patients know that pharmacy is a reliable profession. 343 00:14:11,125 --> 00:14:13,525 They, they ask us many, many different questions. 344 00:14:13,865 --> 00:14:15,445 We can provide more time with them than 345 00:14:15,445 --> 00:14:17,125 unfortunately their providers can. 346 00:14:17,465 --> 00:14:20,045 Um, so we just need to continue to advocate through those, 347 00:14:20,055 --> 00:14:23,445 those different types of forums about what we can do. 348 00:14:23,465 --> 00:14:24,525 And I think we've done a good job. 349 00:14:24,645 --> 00:14:26,325 I mentioned immunizations previously. 350 00:14:26,715 --> 00:14:29,485 There's, um, there's support in different states. 351 00:14:29,595 --> 00:14:33,205 There's, um, certified pharmacy practitioners that can serve 352 00:14:33,205 --> 00:14:34,645 as mid-level practitioners. 353 00:14:34,915 --> 00:14:37,165 There's the ability for pharmacists to prescribe. 354 00:14:37,545 --> 00:14:39,205 Um, there's ability for pharmacists 355 00:14:39,205 --> 00:14:41,245 to administer long-acting injectables. 356 00:14:41,505 --> 00:14:42,645 So we're getting out there. 357 00:14:42,865 --> 00:14:44,805 Um, but we're having to do a little bit slowly 358 00:14:45,225 --> 00:14:47,765 and we're facing some political pushback, 359 00:14:48,025 --> 00:14:50,485 but I think just we continue to, to push forward. 360 00:14:50,585 --> 00:14:53,085 We can do, do some amazing things for the system overall. 361 00:14:54,415 --> 00:14:55,515 - That's fascinating to hear. 362 00:14:55,515 --> 00:14:56,515 Regina, thank you so much 363 00:14:56,515 --> 00:14:57,955 for joining us on the podcast today. 364 00:14:57,985 --> 00:15:00,155 This has been a really fun and interesting conversation 365 00:15:00,175 --> 00:15:02,075 and I look forward to connecting with you again soon. 366 00:15:03,115 --> 00:15:04,735 - You're very welcome. Thank you so much.