Rachel O’Koren Succeeded by Saying Yes

A Winding Path Can Be the Most Rewarding, Rachel O’Koren Says

From shepherding innovative pharmacy technologies to launching Walgreens’ massive immunization program, Dr. Rachel O’Koren’s career has been as varied as it is impressive. Now directing Walgreens’ Offi ce of Clinical Integrity, O’Koren, PharmD ’02, credits both her success and her winding path to a willingness to say yes to new challenges.

Rachel O'Koren, PharmD '02

“I wouldn’t have predicted the path that I had. …I worked a little in program development, pharmacy operations, specialty pharmacy — kind of all over the place,” she said. “My advice would be when presented with an opportunity that's new or not really well-defi ned, to go ahead and jump in. … Some of the best experiences you can have are the ones you can shape yourself.”

Perhaps the biggest project O’Koren jumped into came when a group of Seattle Walgreens pharmacists wanted to deliver immunizations. She led that pilot program, then took on expanding the practice company- and nation-wide.

“Literally, we had nothing, so I had to put together policies, procedures, training plans, building out how we’re going to buy vaccines …really from the ground up,” she said.

Today, O’Koren sees that work as a legacy, with over 27,000 pharmacists trained and over 9 million vaccines administered yearly. “It’s a program that I don’t think will go away. … That’s pretty rewarding to see.”

“ My advice would be when presented with an opportunity that’s new or not really well-defi ned, to go ahead and jump in. … Some of the best experiences you can have are the ones you can shape yourself.”

O’Koren started her Walgreens career building clinical programs for specialty pharmacy diseases, before overseeing patient care centers. After running the immunization program, she developed Walgreens’ medication therapy management program, built up adherence programs and managed accountable care efforts. In her current role, she ensures clinical programs’ quality of care.

Through her winding path, O’Koren’s stayed true to her original goals of helping patients, she said. “I’m not seeing patients one on one, but I can do a lot more from a population-health perspective now.”