NASP Event Highlights Success of Women in Specialty Pharmacy

Compassionate. Fun. Driven. Optimistic. Energetic. Innovate. Passionate.

Those are just a few words the attendees of the Women in Specialty Pharmacy Luncheon used to describe themselves at the National Association of Specialty Pharmacy (NASP) Annual Meeting and Educational Conference.

“Knowing who you are and what your attributes are will help you continue in your career growth,” said moderator Suzette DiMascio, CHE, CMCE, CPC, CEO at CSI Specialty Group.

On the panel were other influential women in the specialty pharmacy industry, including Sheila Arquette, RPh, BS Pharm, executive director of NASP, Rebecca Shanahan, JD, president of NASP and CEO of Avella Specialty Pharmacy, and Cheryl Allen, BS Pharm, MBA, vice president, Industry Relations at Diplomat.

This annual lunch brings together women from throughout the specialty landscape to network and learn from one another about how to be successful in the industry, while balancing their day-to-day lives.

DiMascio discussed her frustrations with the limits that were placed on her and how the elimination of middle management positions drove her to start CSI Specialty and make an impact in her own way. She recalled how her mother always offered positive words and told her she can be anything she wanted to be.

In the question and answer portion of the lunch, the panel discussed how they got into the specialty industry and how they have seen it change.

For many of the panelists, they are one of the only—if not the only—women executives on the team and have a lot to offer in terms of new perspectives and experiences.

Arquette noted that for her and many of the other working mothers in the room, their children keep them motivated to push through barriers women may face in the workplace.

The panelists also spoke about using passion and positivity to succeed and pave the way for other women in traditionally male-dominated fields, such as pharmacy. Additionally, Allen uses exercise to keep herself motivated. She even led the yoga wellness initiative at this year’s NASP meeting.

Through conversation and the panel discussion, the women who attended this lunch surely left with a renewed sense of accomplishment and new ways to continue to succeed in the specialty industry.