Abstract

One of the significant values of the “pearls” is to show the creative ways that issues were approached, and solutions reached. Many variations in practice setting present themselves (hospital size, location, patient base, etc.) but the value of creative approaches to problems has a universal appeal.

Management Pearls is edited by Deborah Ash who was the session chair for the 2007 presentations. The publication provides a number of examples of tools, techniques, and interventions that have improved pharmacy management in both U.S. and foreign health systems.

Deborah Swartwood Ash, M.S. is currently President and C.E.O. of Ash Pharmacy Consultants.  She provides consulting in all aspects of Pharmacy (Pharmacy Health System Management, Pharmacy Benefits Management, Medication Therapy Management, Drug Distribution, Injectable, Specialty, Generic and Biotech Medications) and other aspects of healthcare (Disease Management, Case Management, Population-based data analysis and program development) in both the United States and Canada.  Deb specializes in Medicare and senior populations.  She also provides professional education program coordination as well as professional publication editing.  Previously Ms. Ash worked in numerous positions at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida, including Director of Care and Pharmacy Programs.  Prior to joining BCBSF, she was with Pharmacy Gold, Inc., a Pharmacy Benefit Management subsidiary of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota.  In Minnesota Deb managed program development as well as providing clinical support to other health plans including Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arkansas and Fortune 500 companies for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota.  Deb has also served as Executive Director for the Minnesota Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Director of Pharmacy at Memorial Medical Center in Ashland, Wisconsin, and Supervisor of Intravenous Admixture Services at the University of Minnesota Hospitals and Clinics.

Deb received her Master of Science in Hospital Pharmacy from the University of Minnesota and a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy from South Dakota State University.  She has also completed the Wharton Executive Development Program at the University of Pennsylvania.  Deb received the Meritorious Service Award from the Minnesota Society of Health-System Pharmacists and was named in Women in Pharmacy Leadership as well as Who’s Who in Executives and Professionals.   She has held leadership roles in many professional organizations as well as participated in Leadership Miami.