Members Section

IPA Me mber Kat hy Stone Spotlig , Phar ht: mD

Written By: Maia Determan 2021 PharmD Candidate | Drake University College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences

In the southwest corner of Iowa, just 30 miles from Omaha, you’ll find the small city of Missouri Valley. This rural community of less than 3,000 residents is where IPA member Kathy Stone has called home most of her life. At an early age, she developed an interest in pharmacy after watching her grandfather manage multiple medications and health conditions. “In about 5th grade, my grandpa told me that the person who always helped him the most was his pharmacist…this really resonated with me.” Fast forward to today, Kathy supervises the pharmacy department at CHI Missouri Valley, a critical access hospital. Here, she helps many of the same community members she grew up around.

After graduating from Creighton University with a Doctorate of Pharmacy in 2004, Kathy began her first job as the Pharmacy Manager at Medicap Pharmacy in Knoxville, Iowa. During this time, she was named to the President’s Club, an honor given to the best of the best in the Medicap Pharmacy network. Kathy excelled in her position at Medicap but when the opportunity presented, she made the transition into hospital pharmacy and back to her hometown of Missouri Valley.

In her current role at CHI Missouri Valley, Kathy gets means she sees patients at nearly every point in the healthcare system. From the emergency room and inpatient rounding, to chemotherapy infusions and the CHI rural clinics, Kathy is there providing medications and clinical expertise. In addition, she is the primary contact for CHI’s 340B program and chairs both the local P&T committee, and the division’s compounding committee. She also recently became a Board Certified Sterile Compounding Pharmacist, which will come in handy as she transitions to Pharmacy Compliance Manager while continuing all of her current duties as the Supervisor of the Pharmacy in Missouri Valley in a dual role. This may seem overwhelming, but Kathy says, “The critical access hospital setting is just amazing!” The ability to practice at the top of her license and help people in the community where she grew up makes the job rewarding.

Kathy is an active member in the Missouri Valley community, but she did not always plan to stay in the area. During pharmacy school, she was hesitant to practice pharmacy in her hometown because “there was a part of me that didn’t want to take care of the people who were my teachers, coaches and church members…I didn’t want to cross personal boundaries.” When she eventually began working at CHI, she found this was not an issue. “They want to see a friendly face in a small town.” Many people in the community know Kathy as a Sunday school teacher or coach for her kids’ sports teams. As former softball and baseball players, she and her husband have passed down their affinity for the sport to their son (6) and daughter (4). The family also shares a love for bow hunting. Starting October 1st, Kathy has white tail deer on her mind. “Anytime in the fall if I am not working or have somewhere else to be, I will be in a tree somewhere,” she says. It is the perfect sport for their family of early to “do it all.” Working in a critical access hospital

risers.

While some shy away from regulatory compliance, Kathy says “that’s my thing.” She has always had an interest in pharmacy law but took a step back a few years ago to focus on starting a family. She says it was the IPA Leadership Pharmacy conference in 2018 that gave her the jump start she needed to start thinking, “What’s next?” It was there that she heard about an opening on the Iowa Board of Pharmacy and was inspired to voice her interest to Governor Reynolds. During her three-year term on the Board, Kathy is determined to keep Iowa pharmacists and pharmacy technicians growing in their role. “I think we’re making

headway.” She notes, “Hopefully we can get there with our elected officials as well.”

As an organization, IPA recognizes that a healthy and thriving clinician workforce is imperative to ensuring optimal patient health outcomes and safety. For Kathy, preventing burnout is an important part of achieving this goal. She encourages those who may be struggling with burnout in their current positions to “stay focused on keeping peer relationships open, whether it’s a group from pharmacy school or another organization.” For her, this group is IPA. Attending the IPA Annual Meeting and Midwest Pharmacy Expo this past year gave her a chance to reconnect with professional peers and meet new people. “It would be nice to see more people coming to those things to try to help them get out of the rut and start networking again.”

While it can be difficult to put yourself out there at networking events, Kathy says meeting new people is one of her favorite parts of attending IPA events. Being involved in the state association makes her feel energized and connected with her professional peers. If you see Kathy at an upcoming IPA event (virtual or in-person) be sure to say hello! ■

MEMBER MILESTONES

Congratulations to Candace Jordan, PharmD, MBA, BCPS, on her promotion to Pharmacy Department Market Director for MercyOne!

Estherville Pharmacy has opened under new leadership. Congratulations to Andy Spurgin, PharmD and business partner, Josh Borer, PharmD, as they bring new pharmacy services to Estherville!

Happy trails to Ashley Dohrn, PharmD, BCGP as she and her family move to Colorado! The Iowa pharmacy family is still grateful to have Ashley continuing her work as a Clinical Pharmacy Specialist with Centralized Healthcare Solutions with the University of Iowa College of Pharmacy.

Congratulations to Angie Nelson, PharmD on her promotion to Vice President of Health, Wellness, and Business Development at Hy-Vee!

Congratulations to Drake Reiter, PharmD as he begins his new position as Associate Clinical Pharmacist at Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield!

Congratulations to Rachel Digmann, PharmD, as she starts in her new position as Senior Director of Measure Operations & Analytics at Pharmacy Quality Alliance (PQA)!

Congratulations to Laura Knockel, PharmD, BCACP, of the University of Iowa College of Pharmacy for being selected as one of five faculty members from across the country to participate in the NACDS Foundation 2020-2021 Faculty Scholars Program. Congratulations, Laura! Congratulations to Kelly Hoenig, PharmD, for being selected for the Cedar Rapids Medical Education Foundation’s Class of 2020 Faculty of the Year Award. Congratulations, Kelly!

Congratulations to Michael Kelly, RPh, on his retirement from the University of Iowa College of Pharmacy!

Congratulations to James Ponto, MS, RPh, BCNP, FASHP, FAPhA, on his retirement as chief nuclear pharmacist at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics!

Congratulations to Ed Bell, PharmD, on his retirement as professor of pharmacy practice from Drake University College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences!

InMEMORIUM

It is with sad news that IPA shares the passing of Thomas Vlassis on August 1, 2020. Tom was part owner and pharmacist at Franklin Pharmacy in Des Moines, and served as the 103rd President of the Iowa Pharmacy Association from 1980-1981.

Exciting Me mbers Changes in hipto Come!

Following the Board’s approval in June, IPA is planning exciting changes in membership to increase engagement and attract new individuals to IPA. Details on the new membership structure being implemented in 2021 will be released during Annual Meeting 2020 in September. Stay tuned to IPA communications for more information.

Get ready to renew with a NEW and improved IPA!

Welco me New IPA Me mbers April 1, 2020 – June 30, 2020

Josef Blunier Brad Dondlinger Laurie Hayes Marius Ibuye Sean Jones Benjamin Miskle Adnan Omanovic Joan Pruisner Brooke Herchenbach Vaughn Koch Addyson Rosa

IPA Career Development Center

Providing support for pharmacist and pharmacy technicians – whether early, mid, or late career – the IPA Career Development Center offers individual attention and direction while empowering IPA members to have control over their job search and professional development.

IPA has partnered with RxAshlee, a Career Pivot Expert and Interview Prep Coach, to offer unique coaching for pharmacy professionals looking to nail a job interview, finetune their resume, articulate their own unique brand, and level up their career!

What is RxAshlee?

Ashlee Klevens Hayes, PharmD/MHA, is the founder of RXAshlee, a career development company that focuses on teaching professionals how to stand out in a busy marketplace. RxAshlee will emphasize several game-changing, career-building skills, including nailing your elevator pitch, crafting amazing answers, and confidence/mindset master.

Learn more at www.iarx.org/careercenter

PLATINUM BUSINESS PARTNER

Elevate the level of care you provide your patients.

www.iarx.org/platinum

Pl atinum Business Partners receive all the benefits of a standard business partner pl us access to higher level of services and resources from IPA. Here’s what some of our Platinum Business Partners have to say:

“Although IPA is well positioned to address many of our hospital pharmacy concerns, one area we really needed their assistance was with getting a pharmacy residency program started. IPA customized our platinum business partner membership to meet our specific needs and created a detailed proposal for us that included planning for accreditation, staffing, and budget requirements for us to present to our executives for final approval. IPA’s help has been instrumental in providing us with insight and resources for us to foster innovation to across our pharmacy department and further drive the mission and vision of our institution.” “Our company joined as a Platinum Business Partner with IPA approximately one year ago. Not only do we feel more connected to what’s going on in the industry, legislature, and within the organization, we also have a direct line of communication for any questions/concerns or help on matters that affect our business. One example is the help that we received from IPA in bridging some communication problems we were having with the MCO’s regarding DME billing. Thanks to the contacts they have established with members of those organizations, we were able to get the assistance we needed for billing claims. We gain a lot of information through our quarterly touch-base phone calls and also appreciate the discounts on various resources thanks to our PBP membership!”