2014 Specialty Pharmacist of the Year Finalists

Specialty Pharmacist of the Year

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A tireless advocate for the field of specialty pharmacy, Dr. Michael Crowe’s vision for pharmacists to step outside their day-to-day work to advance the profession has been fully realized.

Under Dr. Crowe’s stewardship, the Genesee County Pharmacists Association grew from 80 members to over 200 members, providing continuing education programs, networking events, and opportunities to meet with legislators. He also creates weekly newsletters, launched and maintained the association web site, and oversees all of the group’s meetings.

“Crowe not only serves as a preceptor for students and residents, but also created and precepts a Professional Development Learning Experience, in which residents contribute to a local, state, and national level, through publications, leadership roles, and community education programs,” his nomination read.

From the outset of his career in specialty pharmacy 5 years ago, Dr. Crowe had maintained a keen focus on autoimmune disorders, working with patients and conducting research to develop training for pharmacists and technicians. Dr. Crowe was honored with the APhA-APPM Current Resident Reports on Research in Progress Merit Award for his research on the correlation between medication adherence and disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis patients.

Dr. Crowe has also been lauded for his work researching the relationship between pharmacist-provided interventions and medication utilization in patients receiving tumor necrosis factor inhibitors, and the evaluation of missed doses in patients with psoriasis. He has given a number of noteworthy presentations on topics such as medication adherence and immunologic disorders.

During his tenure at the nation’s largest independent specialty pharmacy, Dr. Crowe has worked as pharmacy resident, clinical program coordinator, clinical services manager, and clinical technology manager. Last year, Dr. Crowe was among the first pharmacists to earn the Certified Specialty Pharmacist designation from the National Association of Specialty Pharmacy.

“Crowe has a vision that all pharmacists will go beyond their job to advocate for pharmacy and is proud to know that many new practitioners have become professionally involved as a result of their interactions with him,” his nomination read.

With a lengthy track record of providing superior service in specialty pharmacy, Greg Fox, RPh, is driven to serve the full spectrum of the patient population.

Whether serving commercially insured patients or donating his time and services for underserved lowincome patients and Native Americans in rural areas, Fox is a vital resource for the promotion of safe discharges and contiguous care plans.

Fox began his journey in home infusion as pharmacy director for NWC Homecare in 1986 before developing his skills and gaining additional intravenous experience in various hospitals and rehab facilities. With a fully realized passion for specialty pharmacy, Fox launched his own home infusion company in 1997.

His company, Fox Infusion, was one of a handful of companies in Arizona to earn the Medicare Competitive Bid award for providing enteral products throughout the state. Fox Infusion is also a preferred provider for the Carondelet and Banner Healthcare Networks.

Fox is board certified in nutrition support and has also built an extensive history in pain management with a commitment to providing emergency and first doses to patients to prevent disruption to the continuum of care. As a forward-thinking health care provider, Fox attends the yearly State of the State address to stay ahead of the curve on the shifting local and national health care landscape, disseminating that information to improve compliance and protect every patient’s rights and safety.

A member of the American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition and the National Home Infusion Association and a student preceptor at multiple pharmacy colleges, Fox donates not only his time, but also medication to underserved patients throughout the state. The result of Fox’s altruistic spirit and tireless work in the field can be found through a decrease in hospital readmissions and central line infections.

“He is a patient advocate and is frequently implementing his innovative ideas to better connect the practitioner with the patients that they serve,” his nomination read. “He has a heart of gold, which is easily seen in the care that he takes with his patients.”

After a myeloproliferative disease gave her a unique perspective on the patient experience, Dr. Jennifer Powers’ already keen skills and clinical knowledge helped take her specialty services to an entirely new level.

Dr. Powers’ commitment to serve patients is evident through her willingness to travel throughout the region to hand deliver medication while providing counseling and training to improve adherence.

Dr. Powers began her career in 2001 at various Walgreens retail locations in the south, where she also worked at a Department of Veterans Affairs hospital to explore the integration of pharmacy services into that setting. She served on the hospital’s quality assurance team, and was the sole pharmacist on medical mission trips to Haiti and Kenya.

Returning to Walgreens in 2009 as a pharmacy manager after a stint at Emory University Hospital, Dr. Powers arranged myriad community outreach programs driven by her strong sense of empathy for patients in need. She launched the Walgreens specialty pharmacy at the Gwinnett Medical Center in 2011 as both the store and pharmacy manager, proving her mettle in both the clinical and business setting.

“Dr. Powers’ vision for pharmacy services is based on a deeply relational model—she has established her pharmacy at Gwinnett Medical Center by building relationships with providers,” her nomination read. “She has built trust with these providers, both locally and regionally, through her superlative clinical knowledge and expertise as well as her radical commitment to patient care.”

The fruits of her labor can be found in pharmacy sales for the Gwinnett Health System, which saw sales leap from $335,000 to $1.5 million in just 1 year. Beyond building a profitable business, Dr. Powers also works closely with patients, helping to save them thousands of dollars on the cost of their medications.

“Dr. Powers has a uniquely patient-centered vision that is based on a profound respect for the entire spectrum of medical care and patient support and deeply values relationships between medical professionals and between providers and patients,” her nomination read. “She works to integrate pharmacy science into every level of treatment and advocates for its possibilities in hospitals, communities, and medical guilds.