In this episode, our guest is Mary V. Relling, Pharm.D. Emerita Member, Department of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN. Dr. Relling earned her undergraduate B.S. degree from the University of Arizona College of Pharmacy and her doctoral degree from the University of Utah College of Pharmacy. She completed post-doctoral fellowships with Dr. William Evans at St. Jude and with Dr. Urs Meyer at University of Basel. She joined St. Jude as a faculty member in 1988, and was chair of

the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences from 2003-2020. She was also a professor at the University of Tennessee in the Colleges of Medicine and Pharmacy. Her primary interests are in the treatment and pharmacogenetics of childhood leukemia and in the clinical implementation of pharmacogenetic testing in medicine. Dr. Relling is co-founder of CPIC, the Clinical Pharmacogenetics Implementation Consortium. She has published over 450 original scientific manuscripts. She was elected to the Institute of Medicine (National Academy of Medicine) in 2009.

Topics to discuss:

Foundations & Career Journey

1. You’ve had an extraordinary career at St. Jude since joining in 1988. What first drew you to pediatric pharmacology and pharmacogenetics?
2. Your work has helped shape how we treat childhood leukemia. What do you see as the most transformative advancements in this space over your career?

Pharmacogenetics & CPIC

1. You co-founded the Clinical Pharmacogenetics Implementation Consortium (CPIC). What was the impetus behind its creation, and how has its mission evolved?
2. What do you see as the biggest barriers to widespread clinical implementation of pharmacogenetic testing today?
3. How do you respond to skepticism about the clinical utility of pharmacogenetic testing in everyday medical practice?
4. Which pharmacogenetic guidelines do you believe have had the most significant clinical impact so far—and why?
5. What advice do you have for institutions that want to start implementing pharmacogenetic testing but don’t know where to begin?

Implementation in Clinical Settings

1. At St. Jude, you helped lead efforts to integrate pharmacogenetic testing into clinical care. What lessons did you learn about operationalizing this work in real-world settings?
2. How important is interdisciplinary collaboration—between pharmacists, physicians, geneticists—in making pharmacogenetic testing work in practice?
3. Can you share an example where pharmacogenetic testing changed the course of treatment for a pediatric patient?

Policy, Ethics, and Future Vision

1. What policy or regulatory changes would help accelerate the clinical adoption of pharmacogenetic testing?
2. As someone who has contributed extensively to the science, how do you think we should balance data privacy with the need for clinical data sharing in genomics?
3. What are you most excited about in the future of pharmacogenetics? Are there particular therapeutic areas or technologies that you think will drive the next wave of innovation?

Legacy & Advice

1. You’ve mentored many rising leaders in the field. What qualities do you think are most important for the next generation of pharmacogenomics researchers and clinicians?
2. With over 450 publications and a career that has changed pediatric pharmacology, what legacy do you hope your work leaves behind?

Guest: Mary V. Relling, Pharm.D. Emerita Member, Department of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

Host: Hillary Blackburn, PharmD, MBA

• www.hillaryblackburn.com
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/hillary-blackburn-67a92421/ 

In this episode, our guest is Kate Campbell, PharmD, who serves as the Director of Pharmacy at Olympia Pharmacy. She is a proud alumna of the University of Florida, graduating Cum Laude with a bachelor’s degree in biology and a doctorate in pharmacy. Dr. Campbell's previous work experiences in retail and hospital pharmacy have led to a passion for whole-person care and preventive medicine, prompting her shift towards compounding. In her pursuit, she has become a certified hormone replacement therapy specialist with a focus on bioidentical hormone replacement therapy for females.

In her personal time, Kate loves connecting with her family and friends. She especially enjoys getting out on the water, playing pickleball and trying new restaurants.

1. Opening & Background

Kate, welcome to the show! Can you start by sharing your journey into pharmacy and what ultimately drew you toward compounding and personalized medicine?

• You’ve worked in both retail and hospital settings before moving into compounding—what gaps did you notice in traditional pharmacy that compounding helps to fill?
• How did your education at the University of Florida shape your path and perspective on whole-person care?

2. Understanding Compounding & Regulatory Landscape

• For listeners who may not be familiar, can you explain the difference between 503A and 503B compounding pharmacies?
• What are some of the key compliance and quality distinctions between these two types of operations?
• Olympia Pharmacy operates under a 503B designation—what advantages does that provide in terms of scalability, safety, and product consistency?
• How do you see the role of compounding evolving as more patients seek individualized therapies?

3. Hormone Replacement & Preventive Medicine

• You’re a certified hormone replacement therapy specialist, focusing on bioidentical hormones for women. What drew you to that niche?
• What are some of the biggest misconceptions about bioidentical hormone therapy?
• How do you personalize treatment for women across different stages of life—perimenopause, menopause, and beyond?
• What are the key questions women should ask their providers when considering hormone replacement therapy?

4. Longevity & Wellness Trends

• Longevity is becoming a buzzword in healthcare. From your vantage point, what longevity-focused products or therapies are worth the hype—and which are not?
• What innovations are you most excited about in the patient wellness space for the upcoming year?
• How is Olympia Pharmacy staying ahead of emerging trends—whether it’s peptides, nootropics, or nutraceuticals?

5. GLP-1s and Post-Therapy Care

• GLP-1 medications like semaglutide and tirzepatide have transformed weight management—but we’re seeing challenges after patients discontinue them.
• What strategies or compounded therapies are helping patients maintain results post-GLP-1 use?
• How can pharmacists play a role in supporting metabolic health and sustainability beyond the initial weight-loss phase?

6. Leadership, Lifestyle & Personal Balance

• As a director and pharmacist, how do you balance the science of pharmacy with the art of patient care?
• You’ve mentioned enjoying pickleball, the water, and exploring new restaurants—how do you recharge outside of work?
• What advice would you give to other pharmacists looking to explore nontraditional or entrepreneurial paths in pharmacy?

7. Closing

• What’s next for you and Olympia Pharmacy?
• How can listeners connect with you or learn more about the services Olympia offers?

In this episode, our guest is Sam Libby, President and Managing Director of TCB Capital Advisors. Sam's long-standing career in healthcare investment banking has seen him lead over 30 impactful transactions, totaling more than $20 billion. His dedication to healthcare is rooted in a personal connection, being the son of two therapists, which has given him a unique understanding of the sector's challenges, particularly around patient access and care quality.

As co-founder of TCB Capital Advisors, Sam focuses on empowering forward-thinking healthcare companies. His work spans partnerships with companies in oncology, neurodegenerative diseases, women's health, and digital health, helping to steer innovations that profoundly improve patient outcomes. 

Sam, welcome to the Talk to Your Pharmacist podcast. Now that our listeners have heard a bit about your background maybe you can fill in any gaps to that intro and share a bit about your personal life.

Topics to discuss –

Background & Career

1. Sam, you’ve had an incredibly successful career in healthcare investment banking, leading over 30 transactions totaling more than $20 billion. Can you walk us through how you first became interested in the healthcare sector, and how your upbringing as the son of two therapists shaped your perspective on healthcare?
2. As co-founder of TCB Capital Advisors, how did you identify the unique opportunity to focus specifically on healthcare companies? What challenges did you face in the early days of building your firm?

Healthcare Investment Landscape

1. You've been involved in transactions across diverse areas, such as oncology, neurodegenerative diseases, women’s health, and digital health. How do you assess which healthcare innovations and companies are worth investing in? What are some key trends you’re seeing in these sectors today?
2. Healthcare investment banking involves navigating both financial and clinical challenges. How do you balance the business side of healthcare with the real-world impact on patient access and care quality?
3. You’ve been part of some transformative partnerships in healthcare. Can you share a specific example of a partnership that particularly stands out to you, both in terms of financial success and its impact on patient outcomes?

Healthcare Innovation & Strategy

1. With your experience empowering forward-thinking healthcare companies, how do you foresee digital health and technology playing a larger role in the future of patient care? What do you think are the biggest opportunities and challenges?
2. Women’s health is one of the key sectors you’ve focused on. What are some innovations or initiatives you’ve seen that are making a real difference for women’s healthcare, and how can investors further support these efforts?
3. In your opinion, what role does patient access play in the broader healthcare investment landscape? How can companies balance innovation with the need to make these innovations accessible to all patients, especially underserved populations?

Financial Strategies & Healthcare Companies

1. Healthcare investments often involve complex financial strategies. For our audience who might not be familiar with the intricacies of healthcare investment banking, can you explain how financial strategies differ when working with healthcare companies as opposed to other industries?
2. As a leader in healthcare investment banking, how do you guide companies through challenges like market volatility, regulatory hurdles, and competition in their efforts to innovate and grow? Are there any specific strategies you use to help them thrive?

Future Outlook

1. You’ve helped shape the growth of companies across a wide range of therapeutic areas. Looking ahead, what sectors or healthcare innovations do you believe have the most potential to revolutionize patient outcomes in the next 5 to 10 years?
2. As someone deeply involved in healthcare strategy and innovation, what advice would you give to young entrepreneurs or companies just starting to navigate the healthcare sector? What are the key lessons you’ve learned along the way?
3. Lastly, what excites you most about the future of healthcare, and where do you see the biggest areas for disruption and opportunity?

Guest - Sam Libby, TCB Capital Advisors

Host - Hillary Blackburn, PharmD, MBA

www.hillaryblackburn.com

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/hillary-blackburn-67a92421/ 

In this episode:
 Randy Lipps is Chairman, President, Chief Executive Officer, and Founder of Omnicell, a leader in transforming the pharmacy care delivery model. Under his leadership, Omnicell has grown from a single product offering to delivering the most comprehensive portfolio of medication management solutions across the continuum of care.

• Mr. Lipps founded Omnicell in 1992 after observing how inefficiently medical supplies were managed when his daughter was hospitalized at birth. Inspired by his work in airline industry operations and logistics, he sought to enable better management of supplies and medications to help improve patient care.
• Omnicell became a publicly traded company in August 2001, and today healthcare systems worldwide leverage the company’s automation and advanced services offerings to maximize clinical and operational outcomes.
• In 2014 Mr. Lipps was elected to the Bellwether League Hall of Fame, an industry organization that honors healthcare supply chain innovators, pioneers, and visionaries.
• Mr. Lipps has made giving back to the community a priority at Omnicell. Omnicell Cares, the company’s formalized charitable efforts program, translates this into action, making a positive difference by fostering opportunities for volunteerism, charitable giving, and raising awareness for critical topics and issues. Mr. Lipps and his wife, Kathy, have focused their own philanthropy on poverty, nursing and public education, pharmacy research, youth groups, and local community efforts. Mr. Lipps serves as a member of the Board of Trustees of the American Nurses Foundation.
• Prior to founding Omnicell, Mr. Lipps was Assistant Vice President of Sales and Operations for a division of American Airlines. He holds Bachelor degrees in both Economics and Business Administration from Southern Methodist University.

Topics to discuss –

• Introduction to Randy and Omnicell and his journey leading the digital transformation of medication management 
• Staffing shortages and employee retention are top problems facing employers today, especially hospitals and health systems. In the pharmacy, labor shortages have far-reaching impacts including reduced quality of patient care, increased workloads for staff, slow delivery of medications, growing operational costs and process inefficiencies that lead to medication errors. Automation for pharmacies could be the key to addressing these issues and optimizing hospital staff’s efficiency to reduce labor gaps.
• How the Innovation Lab allows customers to get a firsthand look at how automation technologies can make their healthcare operations more efficient and enable nurses and pharmacists to spend more time caring for patients. 
• The autonomous pharmacy vision. How pharmacy automation reduces medication errors through accurate dispensing, streamlines inventory management and real-time tracking, ensures controlled substance security and regulatory compliance, and gives nurses more time to focus on higher-value tasks that directly impact patient care.

Guest - Randall Lipps is Chairman, President, Chief Executive Officer, and Founder of Omnicell

Social Media:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/randall-lipps-a76412195/
• Website: https://www.omnicell.com
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Omnicell1

Host - Hillary Blackburn, PharmD, MBA

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/hillary-blackburn-67a92421/ 

In this episode, our guest is Srulik Dvorsky, who is the co-founder and CEO of TailorMed. Drawing on his experiences caring for family members with cancer—and his background as a technological leader in the medical device space—he started TailorMed with a mission to remove barriers to care. Now the market’s category leader, TailorMed offers the nation’s largest affordability network spanning more than

800 hospitals, 1,300 clinics, and 1,400 pharmacies, as well as premier life science companies. Under Srulik’s leadership, TailorMed has received broad recognition for its impact and innovation, including Deloitte’s Technology Fast 500 list and the New York Digital Health 100 list for three consecutive years. He holds a global MBA from the Arison School of Business at Reichman University and a BSc in electrical engineering from Tel Aviv University.

Topics to discuss –

1. Background on TailorMed, its mission, and its role for bringing down the cost of care for patients

Founding of TailorMed: After caring for several family members with cancer, Srulik

wanted to leverage his expertise in technology to help solve a critical challenge in healthcare. He co-founded TailorMed in 2018 with a mission to help patients overcome barriers to care.

2. Problem Overview: Affordability in Healthcare / Specialty Care:

Rising medication costs lead many patients, particularly those who require specialty care, to delay or forgo therapy. About 1 in 5 U.S. adults says they have not filled a prescription, while 1 in 10 has cut pills in half or skipped doses in the last year,

due to cost. This leads to higher rates of prescription abandonment and loss

of revenue for pharmacies–and poor adherence and worse

outcomes for patients.

3. How TailorMed Partners with Pharmacies:

There is an abundance of financial assistance to help patients afford their medications, amounting to over $50 billion in total. These resources are underutilized because pharmacies and providers often lack a proactive approach to identify patients in

need and efficiently match them with assistance programs. TailorMed enables pharmacies and providers to flag financially at-risk patients and streamline program matching and enrollment. TailorMed began with provider partners and expanded to include top specialty pharmacies, infusion centers, and life science companies—building the nation’s largest affordability network.

4. Key Considerations for Pharmacy Teams Tackling Medication

Affordability:

Streamline financial assistance workflows to proactively address cost barriers at scale.

Embed affordability solutions into day-to-day operations to reduce administrative burden.

Use data and automation to boost efficiency and support better patient outcomes.

Prioritize change management and IT collaboration to ensure smooth adoption and long-term success of tech-driven solutions. Track both clinical and financial impact to refine your approach

and promote best practices.

Guest - Srulik Dvorsky, MBA

TailorMed’s https://tailormed.co/ 

Srulik Dvorsky’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/srulik/ 

TailorMed’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/tailormed---medical-journey-innovations/ 

Host - Hillary Blackburn, PharmD, MBA

www.hillaryblackburn.com
https://www.linkedin.com/in/hillary-blackburn-67a92421/ 

In this episode, our guest is Heidi Steinecker, DrPH & Principal of Health & Human Services Consulting at Resultant. With over two decades of leadership in public health and healthcare systems—including as Deputy Director of the California Department of Public Health—Heidi is helping states transform how they use data to prevent crises and protect vulnerable communities.

Heidi takes complex public health challenges and breaks them down into clear, data-driven strategies that work. She’s spent her career modernizing outdated systems, leading emergency responses, and designing early intervention models that save lives. Today at Resultant—recently named one of Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies of 2025—Heidi is focused on helping agencies turn massive amounts of public health data into actionable, equitable solutions.

Heidi, welcome to the Talk to Your Pharmacist podcast. Now that our listeners have heard a bit about your background maybe you can fill in any gaps to that intro and share a bit about your personal life.

Topics to discuss --

• How public health agencies can move from reactive to proactive using predictive analytics
• Why modernizing health data systems is no longer optional—and how to get started

From Classroom to Policy Leadership – before becoming California’s Deputy Director of Public Health during the COVID‑19 pandemic
How did your early experiences in teaching inform your approach to leadership and communication during a public health crisis?

Leading Transformation at Scale – At CDPH, you transformed manual inspection systems into proactive, cloud‑based predictive models
Can you discuss a specific challenge you faced transitioning these systems, and how you overcame resistance to change?

Bridging Local and Global Health – Your doctoral work at MCW focused on infectious diseases in high-risk settings and you emphasize “local health is global health”
How do you translate lessons learned in global health contexts to strengthen health systems here in the U.S.?

Modernizing Public Health Infrastructure – In a recent podcast, you emphasized that modernization starts with relationships—combined with tech like AI and predictive analytics.What are the critical steps to building both the relational and technical foundations needed for effective public health modernization?

Guest - Heidi Steinecker

https://www.linkedin.com/in/heidiwsteinecker/

Host - Hillary Blackburn, PharmD, MBA

www.hillaryblackburn.com
https://www.linkedin.com/in/hillary-blackburn-67a92421/ 

In this episode, our guest is Lewis Bender, Chairman, and CEO, of Intensity Therapeutics’ Founder which is a late-stage clinical biotechnology company whose mission is to help patients live longer, higher quality lives by discovering, developing, and commercializing first-in-class cancer drugs that attenuate tumors with minimal side effects, while training the patient’s immune system to fight the cancer.  The Company’s lead product candidate, INT230-6, is currently in human clinical studies to treat refractory solid tumors.

Talking points:
Milestone Achievement: "Congratulations on dosing the first patient in the INVINCIBLE-4 Phase 2 clinical trial for triple-negative breast cancer. Can you walk us through the significance of this milestone and what it means for the future of Intensity Therapeutics?"

Innovative Approach of INT230-6: "Intensity Therapeutics focuses on developing cancer treatments that not only attenuate tumors with minimal side effects but also train the immune system to fight cancer. Could you explain how your lead product, INT230-6, achieves this unique approach and what differentiates it from existing cancer therapies?"

Collaboration with SAKK: "Your partnership with The Swiss Group for Clinical Cancer Research (SAKK) is a key component of the INVINCIBLE-4 study. How does this collaboration enhance your clinical development efforts, and what are you hoping to achieve together in this trial?"

Impact on Triple-Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC): "Triple-negative breast cancer is known for being particularly aggressive and having limited treatment options. How does INT230-6 address the unmet needs of TNBC patients, and what potential impact do you foresee it having on improving patient outcomes?"

Future Vision and Next Steps: "Looking ahead, what are the next steps for Intensity Therapeutics following the initiation of the INVINCIBLE-4 study? How do you envision the future of your company in the evolving landscape of cancer therapeutics?"

Guest - Lewis Bender

Host - Hillary Blackburn, PharmD, MBA

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/hillary-blackburn-67a92421/ 
• @talktoyourpharmacist for Instagram and Facebook

In this episode, our guest is Tom Campbell, the Dean and Associate Professor of Pharmacy Practice at Lipscomb University College of Pharmacy in Nashville. Dr. Campbell received his Pharm.D. degree from the University of Tennessee College of Pharmacy and received board certification in pharmacotherapy in 1995. His prior work experience includes a pharmacy practice residency with VA Medical Center in Memphis, Columbus Regional Health System in Columbus, Georgia, and Sanofi Pharmaceuticals. He also served as Clinical Assistant Professor at Auburn University. Dr. Campbell has served as President of the Tennessee Pharmacists Association and served on the Board of Directors. He is a member of AACP, ASHP, APhA, CPFI and TPA. He's a recipient of the 2024 APhA Academy of Student Pharmacists Outstanding Dean Award which was established to recognize a school or college of pharmacy dean who has made significant contributions to the APhA-ASP Chapter and promoted with distinction the welfare of student pharmacists through various community service, leadership and professional activities. 

Dr. Campbell is a Sunday school teacher and former elder at the Spring Meadows Church of Christ in Spring Hill, TN. He has traveled to Central America as part of medical mission campaigns numerous times. Dr. Campbell and his late wife, Susan, have three sons.

During the discussion, we explored questions around:

• How faith influences our daily work in healthcare
• The ways faith impacts health behaviors and decision-making
• The role faith plays in job satisfaction and professional fulfillment

It was inspiring to engage in meaningful dialogue with a leader who also sees their work as a calling to serve others. I'm grateful to Dean Campbell at Lipscomb University for fostering conversations that remind us of the deeper purpose behind our careers.

In this episode, our guest is Arielle Miliambro, a Partner specializing in regulatory and transactional law within the Healthcare & Life Sciences departments. She assists clients with legal issues related to telehealth, data privacy, value-based care, and fraud compliance. She offers counsel on regulations like the Anti-Kickback Statute and prepares requests for OIG Advisory Opinions.

Arielle also guides stakeholders in telehealth and digital health models on fraud, corporate practice, and virtual care requirements. Additionally, she advises clients on data security and privacy issues, including HIPAA compliance and data breach response. She works with providers to develop value-based care and alternative payment models.

Her expertise extends to pharmacy clients, whom she advises on remote prescription processing, compliance, and licensing board matters. She also assists practitioners with in-office dispensing and scope of practice concerns. Furthermore, Arielle supports clients with corporate transactional matters, drafting various legal agreements and documents.

Telehealth Topics for Podcast

1. What is the difference between telehealth and telepharmacy
2. Pharmacy role in bigger picture of telehealth models
   • Considerations for kickbacks/fee splitting in telehealth models depending on pharmacy’s reimbursement
   • Pharmacists duty to validate script prior to dispensing
     • Telehealth “red flags”
     • Where does the line get drawn as to pharmacist’s obligations with respect to the actual patient encounter between prescriber/patient
3. Covid changes
   • State
     • Licensing flexibility for prescribers
     • Scope of practice of pharmacists
   • Federal
     • Telehealth reimbursement
     • DEA prescribing
       1. History / status of new rules related to CDS prescribing

1. Telehealth vs Telepharmacy Differences
   • Brief overview distinguishing the definitions of each:
     • Telehealth: Remote provision of clinical care
     • Telepharmacy: Remote provision of pharmacy services (e.g., offsite pharmacist doing DUR, offering patient counseling)
2. Changes in Telehealth During Covid
   • Federal and State Waivers
     • DEA waivers (current through 2025)
     • Physician licensing waivers by state (expired)
     • Modality flexibilities (mostly expired; some extended/made permanent depending on payor)
3. Pharmacist Obligations in Validating Telehealth Prescriptions
   • Pharmacist obligations/duties
   • BOP audits/investigations originating from BME
4. Maintaining Out-of-State Licenses for Telehealth Patients
5. DEA Updates with Proposed/New Final Rules
   
   

Guest - Arielle Miliambro

LinkedIn: Frier Levitt | LinkedIn

Instagram: N/A

Website: Frier Levitt | LinkedIn

YouTube: Frier Levitt - YouTube

Twitter/X: (2) Frier Levitt (@FrierLevitt) / X (twitter.com)

Host - Hillary Blackburn, PharmD, MBA

www.hillaryblackburn.com  

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/hillary-blackburn-67a92421/ 
• @talktoyourpharmacist for Instagram and Facebook

In this episode, Our guest is MARC RYAN, who has extensive leadership experience across the healthcare industry. Most recently, he was a founding executive and President of MedHOK (MHK, acquired by Hearst Health). He has launched and operated multiple health plans. Marc served in senior policy roles in state and federal government, including as state management secretary of Connecticut and helping build Medicare Part D’s relationship with state drug assistance programs in 2006. He created Connecticut’s Medicaid and children’s health managed care programs and its long-term care continuum. Marc is the author of The Healthcare Labyrinth: A Guide To Navigating Health Plans and Fixing American Health Insurance and the host of the Healthcare Labyrinth Podcast.

Topics covered:
(1) What are the trends in drug spending and the impact on all types of insurance products -- Medicare, Medicaid, commercial/employer -- cost trends for medical and retail

(2) What is driving the major increases in drug costs/spending?

(3) How are GLP-1s treated across various products? And will coverage change?

(4) American drug prices compared with others?  Can you discuss how we compare vs. other developed countries and why (more than twice -- in many cases 3, 4, and 5 times more -- impacts on employer, Medicare, etc. -- rising percentage of healthcare as well as employer) 

(5) Medicare drug price negotiations -- what it is and what has happened so far? where do you stand?
(6) A lot is occurring in plans on PA, formularies, benefit design, PBM reform -- a very hot topic -can you tell us more about this and what you predict? (7) Can you explain the traditional PBMs vs. transparent ones? FTC lawsuit against PBMs and drug supply channel issues

(8) There have been major changes to Part D and it is impacting Medicare Advantage and Part D -- what is happening for 2025 benefits as well as can you tell us a little on a study that questioned the value of Part D?

(9a) Medication Adherence in the Star program for MA and Part D plans -- key.  Can you tell us more here? 9(b) How could pharmacists in the community support medication adherence etc -- Will discuss trends from health plans about recognizing the best way to ensure medication reconciliation and adherence is teaming up with pharmacists. 

Guest - Marc Ryan

Host - Hillary Blackburn, PharmD, MBA

www.hillaryblackburn.com

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/hillary-blackburn-67a92421/ 
• @talktoyourpharmacist for Instagram and Facebook

In this episode, our guest is Laurie Lee Smith, who is the CEO of Laurie Lee Leadership and a seasoned executive coach with over three

decades of healthcare expertise, certified by the International Coaching Federation (ICF). Laurie’s international coaching and leadership engagements have spanned continents, including North America, the Middle East, Europe, and Asia, with a focus on enhancing the influence of healthcare leadership on a global scale. Her coaching philosophy is anchored in the cultivation of high-trust leaders who support teams capable of achieving peak interdependence. Laurie holds a Master of Science in Nursing Administration from the University of Mary and a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing from the University of Alaska, Anchorage. She also holds a Green Belt certification in LEAN Six Sigma, a certificate in Brain-Based Coaching, and Board Certification through the ANCC in advanced Nursing Administration. Laurie received her formal training in executive coaching at the Hudson Institute of Coaching and is currently working toward a PhD in Industrial/Organizational Psychology.

Main points:

1. Uncovering blind spots as a leader
2. Why we are resistant to change
3. How to improve social and emotional intelligence
4. How coaching can support growth as a leader

Guest - Laurie Lee Smith

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/laurie-lee-smith 

Website: www.laurieleeleadership.com

Host - Hillary Blackburn, PharmD, MBA

www.hillaryblackburn.com

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/hillary-blackburn-67a92421/ 
• @talktoyourpharmacist for Instagram and Facebook

In this episode, our guest, Tamar (Tay-mar) Thompson with us, the Head of Corporate Affairs at Alexion, AstraZeneca Rare Disease. With over 20 years of experience in healthcare, Tamar leads global corporate efforts in policy and advocacy. She recently has been showcasing Alexion’s new short film, Rare Connections in NMOSD where she underscores the need to raise awareness of NMOSD, a rare neurological disease, to help reduce the time to diagnosis and advance care. A dedicated advocate for health equity, Tamar continues to highlight the unmet needs of the rare disease community.

Topics

• Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD): diagnosis, prevalence/incidence, overview of symptoms, and why it’s so important to raise awareness of rare diseases
• Rare Connections in NMOSD and why Alexion created this first-of-its-kind short film
• What Alexion is doing to help improve equity and health outcomes for people living with rare diseases
• Unveiling Connections: The Story Behind Alexion’s Groundbreaking Film on NMOSD

• Bridging the Gap: Confronting the Diagnostic and Care Challenges in Rare Diseases

• Left Behind: Addressing Health Equity for the Rare Disease Community

• Global Voices: How Alexion Shapes Policy to Transform Rare Disease Care

• Driven by Purpose: Alexion’s Journey to Champion Rare Disease Advocacy

Guest - Tamar Thompson

LinkedIn:
- https://www.linkedin.com/company/alexion-pharmaceuticals/
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/tamarthompson/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AlexionPharmaceuticalsInc/
Twitter/X: https://x.com/alexionpharma?lang=e
YouTube

• https://www.youtube.com/@alexionpharmaceuticalsinc.3357
• Rare Connections Film: https://youtu.be/cfnE7cxfY3s?si=zozSq2NZK8kb2i6k
• Rare Connections Film (Accessible Version): https://youtu.be/dwKpZQSZuZ0?si=77UN5QaRJNuM2rnm

Host - Hillary Blackburn, PharmD, MBA

www.hillaryblackburn.com

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/hillary-blackburn-67a92421/ 
• @talktoyourpharmacist for Instagram and Facebook

Talk to Your Pharmacist Podcast Interview - Danielle Vizcaino and Hillary Blackburn

Danielle Vizcaino, President and CEO of The Assistance Fund (TAF), discussed the organization's role in providing financial assistance to patients facing high medical out-of-pocket costs. TAF, founded in 2009, has helped over 190,000 people, including 40,070 in 2023, with nearly 100 disease-specific programs. Vizcaino highlighted the importance of patient referrals and the unique features of TAF, such as year-long assistance and no cap on annual assistance. She emphasized the need for continued support and awareness, especially for rare diseases like Duchenne muscular dystrophy and hypophosphatasia. Vizcaino also shared her journey from molecular biology to healthcare administration and her commitment to improving healthcare accessibility.

Introduction and Background of Danielle Vizcaino

• Hillary Blackburn welcomes Danielle Vizcaino and asks her to introduce herself and fill in any gaps in the intro.
• Danielle Vizcaino confirms her last name pronunciation and mentions the proposed items from Mark Meyer.
• Hillary Blackburn mentions she received the outline late due to being on vacation and will add it to her info.
• Danielle Vizcaino asks if she should be on camera; Hillary Blackburn mentions she hasn't done video yet but is open to it.

Overview of The Assistance Fund (TAF)

• Hillary Blackburn introduces Danielle Vizcaino as President and CEO of The Assistance Fund (TAF) and provides a brief overview of the organization.
• Danielle Vizcaino shares her passion for healthcare from a young age and her educational background in molecular biology, microbiology, MPH, and MBA.
• She details her career path, including roles in mycobacteriology, healthcare administration, and her transition to TAF in 2016.
• Danielle Vizcaino shares a personal discovery about being a carrier of a rare disease, which deepened her commitment to improving healthcare accessibility.

Details About The Assistance Fund (TAF)

• Danielle Vizcaino provides an introduction to TAF, explaining its role in helping patients and families with high medical out-of-pocket costs.
• She highlights TAF's 100 disease-specific programs and their impact, including helping over 190,000 people since 2009.
• Danielle Vizcaino mentions that in 2023, TAF helped 40,070 people, with many receiving year-after-year assistance due to genetic conditions.
• She discusses the importance of TAF's assistance, especially for insured patients with high-cost medical conditions.

Danielle Vizcaino's Career Path and TAF's Mission

• Hillary Blackburn asks Danielle Vizcaino about her path to becoming CEO of TAF and how she transitioned from molecular biology to nonprofit work.
• Danielle Vizcaino explains her initial interest in medicine and her shift towards healthcare administration and public health.
• She describes her experience with TAF, including building departments and infrastructure, and her eventual promotion to CEO in 2023.
• Danielle Vizcaino emphasizes the importance of TAF's mission and her gratitude for the opportunity to lead such a passionate team.

TAF's Role and Impact in the Healthcare Ecosystem

• Hillary Blackburn and Danielle Vizcaino discuss the importance of TAF in helping insured patients access necessary treatments.
• Danielle Vizcaino explains the difference between independent charitable patient assistance organizations and manufacturer patient assistance programs.
• She highlights TAF's unique features, such as offering assistance for the entire calendar year and the importance of patient referrals.
• Danielle Vizcaino provides details on how patients can qualify for TAF assistance, including eligibility requirements and the importance of checking the website for new programs.

Common Diseases and TAF's Support

• Hillary Blackburn asks about the most common diseases TAF supports, and Danielle Vizcaino mentions rare diseases, oncology, immunology, and respiratory conditions.
• Danielle Vizcaino shares specific examples of rare diseases TAF helps with, such as Duchenne muscular dystrophy and hypophosphatasia.
• She discusses the importance of TAF's support for patients with life-changing diseases and the role of donors in funding these efforts.
• Danielle Vizcaino encourages individuals to check TAF's website for new programs and to continue monitoring for new opportunities for assistance.

Founding Story and Funding of TAF

• Hillary Blackburn asks about TAF's founding story and how the organization supports patients across the country.
• Danielle Vizcaino explains that TAF was founded in 2009 by specialty pharmacists who recognized a need in the space.
• She highlights TAF's growth from a small organization to one with over 100 programs and close to 300 million in support.
• Danielle Vizcaino discusses TAF's individual philanthropy arm and the importance of corporate and individual funding for their programs.

Advice for Aspiring Leaders and Pharmacists

• Hillary Blackburn asks Danielle Vizcaino for advice for pharmacists and aspiring leaders in the healthcare field.
• Danielle Vizcaino emphasizes the importance of perseverance and commitment to making a difference in the community.
• She shares her own journey and the opportunities that arose from her passion and dedication to healthcare.
• Danielle Vizcaino encourages others to keep pushing forward and to look for opportunities to make an impact in the healthcare ecosystem.

Conclusion and Closing Remarks

• Hillary Blackburn thanks Danielle Vizcaino for sharing more about TAF and for being a guest on the podcast.
• Danielle Vizcaino expresses her appreciation for the opportunity to share TAF's story and mission.

Guest - Danielle Vizcaino 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AssistanceFund 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theassistancefund/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-assistance-fund/ 

Threads: https://www.threads.net/@theassistancefund 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-rJY98PFtKyMCBpdYpzDEQ 

Website: https://tafcares.org/ 

Host - Hillary Blackburn, PharmD, MBA

www.hillaryblackburn.com

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/hillary-blackburn-67a92421/ <...

In this episode, our guest is Dr. Brian Clyne who is a Professor of Emergency Medicine at the Alpert Medical School of Brown University

where he has served in numerous clinical, educational, and administrative leadership roles over the past 20 years. As Vice Chair for Education at ACT Leadership, Dr. Clyne develops and supports programs across the continuum of learners from undergraduates to faculty. In addition to medical education, Dr. Clyne’s areas of interest include career development and physician leadership. He founded and directed Leadership in Healthcare, a master’s level course for Alpert Medical School students. He is a

graduate of the Brown University Executive Master’s in Healthcare Leadership program and the ACT

Leadership and Performance Coaching Certificate program. His coaching practice is focused on mid-career healthcare professionals seeking to expand their leadership capabilities to make a lasting impact.

Talk to Your Pharmacist Podcast Interview - Dr. Brian Cyne and Hillary Blackburn

Hillary Blackburn and Brian Clyne discussed their experiences in healthcare leadership and career development, emphasizing the importance of transferable knowledge and skills, navigating career transitions, and addressing burnout. They also discussed the role of coaching in healthcare leadership development, highlighting the need for practical leadership skills beyond clinical expertise and the importance of selecting the right coach with industry background or experience in healthcare-related fields. Both speakers emphasized the transformative impact of coaching on personal and professional growth.

Leadership and healthcare with Dr. Brian Clyne.

• Hillary Blackburn discusses work-life balance as a healthcare leader with two young children.
• Hillary Blackburn interviews Dr. Brian Clyne on The Talk to Your Pharmacist podcast.

Leadership development and coaching in healthcare.

• Brian Clyne discusses his background in psychology and medicine, focusing on medical education and leadership development.
• Brian Clyne: Read Harvard Business Review, Good to Great, and David Rock's Quiet Leadership.
• Hillary Blackburn: Also read leadership books, including Good to Great and David Rock's Quiet Leadership.

Leadership development and coaching.

• Hillary Blackburn and Brian Clyne discuss leadership development and coaching.
• Brian Clyne learned coaching skills through Act Leadership, a training organization.
• Brian Clyne shares his journey from directive to curious leadership, empowering others to find solutions.
• Hillary Blackburn asks about what sets Act program apart, offering guidance for choosing a coach.
• Brian Clyne emphasizes the importance of finding a coach with relevant industry experience.
• Clyne suggests asking a coach about their methodology and experience with your specific challenge.

Coaching in healthcare, burnout, leadership, and career development.

• Hillary Blackburn and Brian Clyne discuss coaching in healthcare, common triggers, and leadership skills.
• Brian Clyne coaches newly transitioned leaders on goal setting, prioritization, and time management.
• He also helps individuals experiencing burnout by exploring their core values and setting boundaries.
• Burnout and career transitions are common challenges in healthcare.

Burnout and career development in healthcare.

• Brian Clyne: Realize it's a marathon, not a sprint, and don't expect it to go according to plan.
• Brian Clyne: Emergency medicine has highest rates of burnout, and lack of control, uncertainty lead to it.
• Brian Clyne: Importance of networking, mentorship, and focus in career success.
• Hillary Blackburn: Struggling with imposter syndrome and seeking guidance from peers.
• Hillary Blackburn and Brian Clyne discuss career development and burnout in the pharmacy industry.
• Brian Clyne shares resources for coaches and pharmacists, including ACT Leadership and Brown University.

Guest -  Brian Clyne, MD

Host - Hillary Blackburn, PharmD, MBA

www.hillaryblackburn.com

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/hillary-blackburn-67a92421/ 
• @talktoyourpharmacist for Instagram and Facebook

In this episode, Our guest, Martha M. Rumore, PharmD, Esq, MS, LLM, FAPhA is a pharmacist-attorney in Frier Levitt’s Life Sciences Department. Her practice focuses on healthcare law; Food, Drug Cosmetic law; pharmacy law and regulatory issues; PBM issues; as well as pharmaceutical and medical device intellectual property including trademark, copyright, trade secret and all aspects of patent law (due diligence, prosecution, opinion work, litigation, and transactional matters). Dr. Rumore has over 15 years of law firm experience in the area of Food, Drug & Cosmetic Law and pharmaceutical intellectual property, counseling on early market opportunities for pharmaceutical clients particularly in the area of ANDA and 510K applications and all facets of Paragraph IV litigation.

Dr. Rumore has also worked in Drug Regulatory Affairs in the pharmaceutical industry and hospital pharmacy, both at the Director level. She taught Pharmacy Law and Drug Regulatory Affairs at Arnold & Marie Schwartz College of Pharmacy and Touro College of Pharmacy for close to 20 years and currently teaches Food, Drug & Cosmetic Law at Maurice A. Deane School of Law at Hofstra University.

She is a frequent lecturer and has over 200 publications and presentations. Additionally, Dr. Rumore is a Fellow and former Trustee of the American Pharmacists Association, a former Board member of the American Society for Pharmacy Law and the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education and is a three-time recipient of the Larry Simonsmeier Legal Writing Award.

This in-depth discussion on the current regulatory landscape for compounding pharmacies will look at:

• Current Regulatory Environment for 503A and 503B Compounding
• State Laws and State Board of Pharmacy 2023/2024
• Important Regulatory Considerations in the 503B to 503A Compounding Model for Community Pharmacies
• 506e Shortages and Beyond
• USP 797/795 Six Months Later

Guest - Martha Rumore Senior Counsel

mrumore@frierlevitt.com

646.970.3226

Host - Hillary Blackburn, PharmD, MBA

www.hillaryblackburn.com  

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/hillary-blackburn-67a92421/ 
• @talktoyourpharmacist for Instagram and Facebook

@HillBlackburn Twitter

In this episode, our guest is Kyle Turner, who is an Associate Professor (Clinical) at the University of Utah College of Pharmacy and a clinical pharmacist at the Midvale Clinic. He earned his PharmD degree at the University of Utah College of Pharmacy and then completed the Pharmaceutical Care Leadership Residency at the University of Minnesota. Currently, he is directing the Utah Pharmacist Payer Provider Patient (UP4) Alliance dedicated to creating partnership between health care stakeholders to improve outcomes, lower cost and improve the patient experience. His scholarly and teaching interests center on fostering leadership, interprofessional education, team-based practice development, and health care innovation.

He is also a consultant and national trainer for Intend Health Strategies, a non-profit dedicated to leadership development in the health care industry. Through Intend, Kyle shares the Relational Leadership framework with a diverse set of professionals across stages of training and practice with the goal of enhancing interprofessional teams and ultimately delivering better care. He and his wife have three active children and enjoy fun, faith and family together in Salt Lake City, Utah. 

Main Points

1. Background from pharmacy school to leadership development. Story of going to Boston for first Intend Health Summit and lessons learned. This led to staying involved and going to U of Minnesota for a very specific type of residency. [5 min]
2. What is Intend Health Strategies and Relational Leadership?
3. The problems we are trying to tackle:
   1. Most people don’t get any or enough leadership/teaming/relational training in professional programs. Get’s somewhat better in residency or through professional orgs but that can be limited. Need to boost our efforts. 
   2. Humans are wired for community and react to the signals sent by others – the signals we send become essential in building positive workplace cultures 
   3. Too many members of healthcare teams do not feel seen, heard, or valued
   4. There is a misalignment of workstyles, a lack of understanding of each other's work
   5. We do not universally have the tools and confidence to manage tension and conflict, which consistently arise when problems above are present
4. Solution & Application
   1. Practical and easy skills to incorporate into day-to-day operations
   2. Especially useful for those (like pharmacists) who may not intuitively feel like they can connect and build relationships 
   3. Examples of content (if interested) and practical tips for application

Guest: Kyle Turner, PharmD 

• https://www.intendhealth.org/
• https://pharmacy.utah.edu/pharmacotherapy/faculty/turner 
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyle-turner-21bab06b/
• https://www.linkedin.com/company/intendhealth/ 

Host - Hillary Blackburn, PharmD, MBA

• www.hillaryblackburn.com  
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/hillary-blackburn-67a92421/ 
• @talktoyourpharmacist for Instagram and Facebook

In this episode, our guest is Sarah Arington Leach, who currently serves as VP of Strategic Commercialization at Prasco. Her primary objective is to provide pharmaceutical manufacturers with solutions that break down barriers of entry and create access for needed and innovative therapies for patients and caregivers. Prior to Prasco, she worked at OhioHealth implementing 340B and Own-Use programs. Her passion was ignited for serving patients during her time spent in both the inpatient and ambulatory pharmacy settings. She is the granddaughter of Prasco’s Founder & Chairman, E. Thomas Arington and the daughter of Christopher H. Arington, the company’s Vice-Chairman & CEO. Prasco is committed to honoring God and His greatest commandment summarized by the phrase “love God and love people”.

Sarah completed her undergraduate degrees in Economics and Spanish at Emory University and received her MBA from Xavier University. 

Interview topics: 

• Prasco (who we are, what we do, our culture)
  • Pharmaceutical Research Science Christian Outreach
  • Different components of the business:
    • Virtual manufacturing
    • 3D printing
• Market trends and changes and the impact to both brand and generic manufacturers
• Commercializing products
  • Launched 19 blockbuster drugs ($1B); high service level
  • 22 AGs; Flovent was discontinued
• Drug shortages
  • 40% of generic approvals don’t make it to market

Guest - Sarah Arington Leach, MBA: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-arington-leach-aa2666b3/

Host - Hillary Blackburn, PharmD, MBA

• www.hillaryblackburn.com  
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/hillary-blackburn-67a92421/ 
• @talktoyourpharmacist for Instagram and Facebook
• @HillBlackburn Twitter

In this episode, our guest is Patrick Alonso,  a licensed pharmacist and host of the Men's Health Unscripted podcast, isn't your typical healthcare expert. He works as an advocate for men’s health similar to how a financial advisor works as an advocate for monetary gains.

Patrick was recently interviewed on WFTS ABC News for his work with Your Tampa Healthcare Advocate, where he helps men and women navigate the complex healthcare system to achieve concrete health improvements through a holistic approach. His track record of reducing medications and improving A1c levels in diabetic patients speaks volumes about his experience. 

By educating and empowering his clients regarding their health, Patrick was able to provide support, and assistance and alleviate the burdens that many experience in the healthcare system when battling a metabolic disease.  These 3 clients were able to begin reversing their diseases eventually reducing their medication burden to a point where it was no longer needed or significantly decreased dosages.

Topics to discuss --

For example, in 2023 Patrick took on clients with various health issues and difficulty navigating the system but 3 of those clients stand out the most. These clients had worsening diabetes, and even with lifestyle interventions, they struggled to control their blood sugar. Utilizing his training and expertise in the healthcare system, medications, and supplements, Patrick implemented his program which removed the individual stressors from the patient and allowed them to truly focus on their health. 

• Why having an advocate to maximize your healthcare is equivalent to a financial planner
• The dangers of polypharmacy (excessive medications) and why it’s doubled since 2000
• The most common pitfalls the average person will fall victim to in the healthcare system

-Former College Athlete: Patrick understands the physical and mental challenges men face and has experience working with CEOs to athletes.

-Holistic Approach: Patrick helps with personalized wellness coaching, mental health help, and empowering men to take control of their health journey

-The Shocking Statistics: Patrick has extensive training in medications, disease states, drug interactions, benefits, risks, and side effects of prescriptions. Helping your listeners not enter into common prescription pitfalls.

Host - Hillary Blackburn, PharmD, MBA

• www.hillaryblackburn.com
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/hillary-blackburn-67a92421/ 
• @talktoyourpharmacist for Instagram and Facebook
• @HillBlackburn Twitter

In this episode, our guest is James Wong, a pharmacist and founder of NiHowdy, pioneered the first platform offering customers drug rebates in Bitcoin on prescription refills. With experience in owning and operating pharmacies and skilled nursing facilities, he's a proud University of the Pacific graduate. Advocating blood donation, he highlights its potential to save lives, with each donation potentially aiding up to three individuals. Additionally, he emphasizes the personal benefits, citing a 50% reduction in cardiovascular incident risk and lowered cancer risk. Clearly passionate about Bitcoin and freedom technology, James is a staunch advocate.  

Interview topics 

• What the heck is Bitcoin?!
• What is NiHowdy?
  • What do we do?
  • Why is this important?
• How does Bitcoin disrupt the Pharmaceutical industry?
• Will the Inflation Reduction Act lower drug prices or backfire?

Guest - James Wong, PharmD 

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesdanielwong/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/nihowdy/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nihowdyrx/
• Website: https://www.nihowdy.com
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NiHowdy.

Host - Hillary Blackburn, PharmD, MBA

• www.hillaryblackburn.com  
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/hillary-blackburn-67a92421/ 
• @talktoyourpharmacist for Instagram and Facebook

In this episode, we have two guests:

Harini Bupathi

Harini's practice focuses on counseling several different types of pharmacy providers on their relationships with PBMs and other similar payors. She advises clients in a wide range of PBM-related matters including network access, audits, termination, wrongful recoupment actions, and fraud, waste, and abuse investigations. Harini utilizes her knowledge and experience to counsel on strategies and best practices to avoid any adverse action from payors and PBMs. 

Lucas Morgan

Lucas is a skilled and assertive litigator in Frier Levitt’s Healthcare and Life Sciences Litigation groups, where he represents healthcare and life sciences professionals in a variety of complex matters. With a focus on advocating for the rights of pharmacies and other healthcare providers, Lucas handles various types of disputes involving PBMs and also regularly navigates BOP matters in various legal issues, advising and representing clients in BOP inspections, investigations, enforcement actions, and other related matters across many jurisdictions nationwide.

Interview topics 

• Interplay Between BOPs and PBMs: Understand the dynamic relationship between BOPs and PBMs, and its impact on pharmacy operations.
• Treating BOP Inspections with Due Regard: Learn why BOP inspections should be approached with the same rigor as PBM audits and not be treated as routine or narrow in scope.
• Reporting Obligations: Grasp the importance of fulfilling reporting obligations to both PBMs and BOPs accurately and promptly.
• Building Amicable Relationships: Explore effective strategies to cultivate professional working relationships with your BOPs and PBMs, including tips for successful communication, credentialing and consistent reporting

LinkedIn: Frier Levitt | LinkedIn

Instagram: N/A

Website: Frier Levitt | LinkedIn

YouTube: Frier Levitt - YouTube

Twitter/X: (2) Frier Levitt (@FrierLevitt) / X (twitter.com)

Host - Hillary Blackburn, PharmD, MBA

• www.hillaryblackburn.com  
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/hillary-blackburn-67a92421/ 
• @talktoyourpharmacist for Instagram and Facebook