Jennifer Bair, 1999 Pharm.D., has been named vice president of Pharmacy Services and chief pharmacy officer for Prisma Health Hospitals.
In her new role, Bair will oversee strategic direction for pharmacy operations for all of Prisma Health, supporting the alignment of pharmacy services and focus on further improving patient care and support.
One of Bair’s goals will focus on expanding the health system’s footprint in ambulatory services.
“With the move of health care to the ambulatory setting, we are looking at ambulatory surgery centers, infusion centers and other ambulatory services,” she says. “We want to make sure we are improving patient outcomes and identify where to place pharmacists in the health care continuum. It is an exciting initiative but also one that is challenging.”
Bair will look to align evidence-based best practices in pharmacy across 14 different facilities.
“We are made up of a range of health care entities, from large academic centers to smaller community health centers,” she notes. “It should not matter at which facility a patient seeks care. There should be no variations in the level of care we provide at each of our facilities.”
As pharmacists, we are at the table for the big initiatives and not an afterthought ... We are definitely elevating the role of pharmacy within our organization.
Bair is glad to see the pharmacy profession have a seat in the C-suite as part of the executive team.
“As pharmacists, we are at the table for the big initiatives and not an afterthought,” she says. “We are definitely elevating the role of pharmacy within our organization."
And Bair recognizes that her time as a student pharmacist at the UofSC College of Pharmacy has helped to prepare her for her new role.
“When I was in school, I did not realize some of the things I was doing were preparing me for this,” she says. “Core classes gave me clinical and baseline, but electives that I was able to take advantage of gave me a well-rounded experience and helped me grow. The relationships and networking I developed tremendously helped me. Being able to stay involved with teaching and opportunities for leadership all contributed to my growth in my profession.”
Topics: Alumni, Pharm.D. Program