The AACP Transformation Center (ATC) Expert Advisory Council (EAC) will provide value to ATC and AACP members by helping achieve the 2021–2024 Strategic Priorities 1 and 2 to advance pharmacy practice transformation and academic innovation. The Council will serve as subject matter experts to:
- Expand the scope and steer the work of ATC
- Provide insight and experience from real-world healthcare settings
- Create and develop partnerships within pharmacy and with external stakeholders
The Council includes 14 individuals from diverse professional disciplines, different areas of expertise in pharmacy education and pharmacy practice, and various geographic regions. The Council will participate in quarterly meetings with AACP Center Staff and Executive Leadership, including one in-person meeting per fiscal year.
EAC Members
Samm Anderegg
DocStation, TX
Samm Anderegg, PharmD, MS is Chief Executive Officer at DocStation, a software platform that helps pharmacies get paid for services. As CEO, Samm plays an active role in product, strategy, marketing, partnerships, and customer engagement.
Dr. Anderegg graduated from the University of Iowa College of Pharmacy. He completed residency training and a combined Master’s program specializing in Pharmacy Administration & Leadership at the University of Kansas Health-System.
Oriana Beaudet
Nursing Association Enterprise, DC
Oriana Beaudet, DNP RN, PHN is the Vice President of Nursing Innovation for the American Nurses Association Enterprise (American Nurses Association, American Nurses Credentialing Center, and the American Nurses Foundation). Dr. Beaudet completed her doctorate in nursing practice with an emphasis in Health Innovation Leadership and Design from the University of Minnesota School of Nursing.
Dr. Beaudet has been leading innovation initiatives for more than 20 years through strategic and operational change management work on behalf of and with health systems looking to transform their organizations. Her last position as the Vice President of Transformation for a national healthcare design firm focused on strategy and business development for national health system clients around operational innovations; business, operational, and financial modeling; including technology and care delivery redesign for the built space.
According to Oriana, "The ANA Enterprise organizations have created a bedrock for nursing practice across our country. Our profession has a rich history of inventing solutions for patient needs. Redefining and reimagining the future role of nursing, begins with the work we lead today."
Al Carter
National Association of Boards of Pharmacy, IL
Dr Carter is the executive director of the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy® (NABP®) and the secretary of the Association’s Executive Committee. NABP is an international organization whose membership includes the state boards of pharmacy in all 50 United States, the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, the Bahamas, and all 10 provincial pharmacy regulatory agencies in Canada.
Dr Carter currently serves as a governor of the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) Board of Directors and chair of the PTCB Certification Council. Over the years, he has provided expert witness testimony and consultation in the areas of pharmacy practice and regulation. Dr Carter is a former member and chair of the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, Division of Professional Regulation – State Board of Pharmacy. In addition to serving on the Board, he was appointed by the Illinois House of Representatives to serve two terms on the Illinois Collaborative Pharmaceutical Task Force.
Previously, Dr Carter oversaw pharmacy operations and professional affairs in the community pharmacy setting. In this position, he was responsible for the day-to-day operations and pharmacy regulatory oversight of more than 9,200 pharmacies in the US as well as oversight, management, and execution of all commercial, Medicare Parts B and D, and state Medicaid plans.
Dr Carter has served on numerous committees and task forces for pharmacy organizations, including as chair of the 2019 NABP Overview Task Force on Requirements for Pharmacy Technician Education, Practice Responsibilities, and Competence Assessment. He graduated from Xavier University of Louisiana, College of Pharmacy, with a doctor of pharmacy degree, and received his master of science degree with studies focused on pharmacy regulation and policy from the University of Florida.
Caroline DeLongchamps
The Medical University of South Caroline, SC
It started out simply as a tugging at her heart. Not long after her experience in the pediatric ICU, Caroline went back to the hospital where she could give back to those who cared for her son. Volunteering led to her service on the Patient and Family Advisory Council and then to numerous medical conferences around the country learning about Patient-and Family-Centered Care.
Today, she is a speaker at many of those conferences she attended years ago. The South Carolina Hospital Association, Vizient and the Children’s Hospital Association have invited Caroline to work with them to host workshops and webinars for other healthcare organizations, thus recognizing MUSC as a leader in this work. Caroline is the Manager of Patient-and Family-Centered Care for The Medical University of South Carolina Health System. She is collaborating with others to transform the organization to a system that honors and respects partnerships with patients and families.
Caroline was the 2019 Commencement speaker for The Medical University’s Graduation Ceremony, receiving an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters…a sign they are well on their way to realizing that transformation.
Nichole Foster
Vanderbilt University Medical Center - Certified Technician Training Program, TN
Nichole Foster is the Program Director of the Pharmacy Technician Education and Training Program at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, TN. She has more than 19 years of experience in many facets of pharmacy practice and is very committed to growth and advancement of pharmacy technicians. Her efforts to advance pharmacy practice for technicians at the state and national level earned her the honor of being the first pharmacy technician to receive the distinguished service award from ASHP in 2020. Nichole earned her Master’s in Education and Bachelor’s in Biology from Cumberland University and her Master’s in Business Administration from Trevecca Nazarene University. Nichole was one of the first group of technicians in the United States to gain the credential of CPhT-Adv. She is a member of the Pharmacy Technician Accreditation Council for ASHP and a member of the Certification Council for PTCB.
Kate Gainer
Iowa Pharmacists Association, IA
Kate Gainer serves as the Executive Vice President and CEO of the Iowa Pharmacy Association. The Iowa Pharmacy Association is the sole organization representing the profession of pharmacy in Iowa and pharmacists in all practice settings. IPA’s mission is to empower the pharmacy profession to improve health outcomes. Since IPA was founded in 1880, Kate is the 7th Executive Vice President, and the first female in this role.
Kate received her PharmD degree from the University of Wisconsin and completed a pharmacy residency with emphasis in community care at Medicap Pharmacy and Drake University. She is a graduate and past co-chair of Leadership Iowa and was named to the Des Moines’ Business Record 40 under 40. She has received the Young Alumnus award from the University of Wisconsin and an honorary alumni award from the University of Iowa College of Pharmacy. She is currently president of NASPA (National Alliance of State Pharmacy Associations). Kate and her husband Bob have 4 young children and reside in central Iowa. She is passionate about work-life integration, authentic leadership, and acknowledging failure as a key step to success.
Her leadership at IPA has fostered significant innovation and collaboration while accelerating IPA’s reputation as a national leader among strong state associations. Gainer oversees strategic planning for IPA and its subsidiaries, as well as business development, professional affairs, and government relations. Recent activities the Iowa Pharmacy Association has provided national leadership on include: PBM legislation and regulation, advancing roles of pharmacy technicians, pharmacist well-being and mental health, Medicaid pharmacy provider status, medical billing, health equity, and pharmacy-public health collaboration throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
Rick Gates
Walgreens, IL
Rick Gates is senior vice president of pharmacy and healthcare at Walgreens, based in Deerfield Ill. He is responsible for commercial development and sales across health plans, PBM, Pharma and Health System partners. This includes specialty pharmacy, clinical programs, contracting, pharmacy supply chain and alliances. Rick plays a key role in aligning and advancing the Walgreens Pharmacy division with the Walgreens Health division.
He has served in roles of increasing responsibility since joining Walgreens in 1995 after graduation from pharmacy school. Some key examples of roles include in store care delivery, field leadership, Duane Reade pharmacy integration lead and pharmacy operations where he led the strategic development, alignment and delivery of pharmacy-led health and wellness programs.
Rick serves as a current board member with the National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS), Shields Health Solutions and Pharmacy Quality Alliance (PQA) and is the executive lead for the Latino Professional Network (LPN) business resource group at WBA.
Rick received a B.S. in pharmacy from the University of Iowa in Iowa City. He is an active member of the American Pharmacist Association, NCPDP, NASP and the University of Iowa Alumni Association.
Melissa Somma McGivney
ACT Pharmacy Collaborative, University of Pittsburgh, PA)
Melissa Somma McGivney, PharmD, FCCP, FAPhA, is Professor and Associate Dean for Community Partnerships at the University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy. Dr. McGivney is committed to advancing pharmacist-provided patient care in the community. She has led the development of numerous innovative patient care, learning and research initiatives including the creation of the Pennsylvania Pharmacists Care Network (PPCN) – a CPESN Network - that has engaged over 170 pharmacies in Pennsylvania in providing enhanced services to their communities. She is leading the ACT (Academia-CPESN Transformation) Pharmacy Collaborative – a nationwide action collaborative to engage 93 colleges/schools of pharmacy with community pharmacy practice transformation. She is currently serving as the Deputy Director of the University of Pittsburgh COVID Medical Response Office and leads the Pitt CoVax Vaccination Center delivering over 26,000 COVID-19 vaccinations and over 1,200 volunteers University-wide. Dr. McGivney teaches and supports community pharmacy practice transformation in the classroom and through research initiatives.
Dr. McGivney has been honored as Fellow by both the American College of Clinical Pharmacy, American Pharmacists Association, and is a Fellow of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) Academic Leaders Network. She has been recognized by the National Association of Chain Drug Stores as Community Faculty member of the year in 2011, the American Pharmacists Association as Community Residency Preceptor of the year in 2012, the University of Pittsburgh Chancellor’s Distinguished Teaching Award in 2015, and the Pennsylvania Pharmacists Association with the Excellence in Innovation Award in 2018, among other awards.
McGivney received her PharmD degree from the University of Pittsburgh and completed an Ambulatory Care Residency at UPMC Presbyterian/University of Pittsburgh. She previously served on the faculty of Wilkes University Nesbitt School of Pharmacy and UPMC St. Margaret Family Medicine Residency Program before joining the faculty at the University of Pittsburgh in 2003.
Laurie Plewinski
University of Madison-Wisconsin Health Pharmacy Services, WI
Dr Laurie Plewinski is a PGY2 Health System Pharmacy Administration and Leadership (HSPAL) resident at UW Health in Madison, WI. Originally from Buffalo, NY, Laurie received her Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences and PharmD from the University at Buffalo.
She is an active leader within APhA and Vizient, and at the local level within the Pharmacy Society of Wisconsin’s Practice Advancement and Leadership Team.
As a new practitioner, Dr. Plewinski continues to embrace the changes within healthcare and lifelong opportunities for learning.
Kelly Smith
University of Georgia College of Pharmacy, GA
Kelly M. Smith is Dean of the College of Pharmacy at the University of Georgia. Serving as the first female dean in the College’s more than 115-year history, she has overseen several key initiatives since joining the College in Fall 2018, including developing and implementing a five-year strategic plan; more than doubling research funding; intensifying and expanding Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion; and increasing the number of degree offerings. These advances led to the College’s elevation in the U.S. News and World Report rankings to 24th among more than 140 colleges of pharmacy in the nation.
A native of Statesboro, Georgia, Dean Smith is a proud alumna of the College, graduating in 1992 with a B.S. in Pharmacy degree and in 1993 with a Doctor of Pharmacy degree. She completed postgraduate residency training in drug information at UFHealth Jacksonville and then began her career as a clinical practitioner at University of Kentucky Healthcare. Prior to returning to her alma mater as Dean and Professor, she served at the University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy in various capacities, including Director of Residency Program Advancement, Associate Dean for Academic and Student Affairs, and Interim Dean of the College.
She is a Fellow of the American College of Clinical Pharmacy and received the Zeta Tau Alpha Foundation’s 2018 Outstanding Alumna Award in recognition of her national leadership in Pharmacy and Pharmacy education.
An academic leader with a record of advancing research and pharmacy education, Dean Smith is a Past President and Fellow of the 58,000-member American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP), one of the largest pharmacy membership organizations in the world. She currently serves as Vice Chair of the Board of Directors of the ASHP Foundation, the philanthropic arm of ASHP. Her other contributions to that organization also include; Chair, Section of Clinical Specialists and Scientists; Chair, Commission on Credentialing; Council on Therapeutics; Council on Education and Workforce Development; Pharmacy Technician Accreditation Commission; House of Delegates; PPMI delegate; Task Force on Organizational Structure; Task Force on Science; and AJHP Editorial Board.
Her additional professional leadership roles have included UHC/Vizient Executive Committee; Chair, ACCP Drug Information PRN and Residency Task Force; and Chair, AACP Deans’ Task Force. She has received awards from ASHP, KSHP, KPhA, ACCP, and AACP.
Todd Sorensen
University of Minnesota, MN
Dr. Sorensen is Professor and Senior Executive Associate Dean for Strategic Initiatives and Faculty Affairs at the College of Pharmacy, University of Minnesota. He also serves as the Executive Director of the Alliance for Integrated Medication Management, a non-profit organization that engages health care institutions in practice transformation activities that support improved medication use.
Dr. Sorensen’s work concentrates on identifying strategies that facilitate clinical practice development and developing change management and leadership skills in student pharmacists, pharmacy residents and practitioners. His research and service activities have focused on working with health care organizations to implement strategies that improve health outcomes associated with chronic illness, specifically identifying leadership strategies that allow organizations to integrate and sustain medication management services delivered by pharmacists within interprofessional teams. This work has been greatly influenced by diffusion of innovation theory, principles of quality improvement, the discipline of implementation science, and over ten years of experience participating in and leading national quality improvement collaboratives for health systems seeking to optimize medication use in outpatient settings.
Dr. Sorensen is a past President of AACP.
Magaly Rodriguez de Bittner
University of Maryland, MD
Magaly Rodriguez de Bittner, PharmD, FNAP, FAPhA is the Gyi Endowed Professor in Pharmapreneurship, Associate Dean for Clinical Services and Practice Transformation and Executive Director of the Center for Innovative Pharmacy Solutions at University of Maryland School of Pharmacy. Fellow in Population Health at the University of Maryland Health System working with interprofessional value based integrated networks and American Pharmacists Association Board of Trustee.
She has implemented a variety of innovative advanced pharmacy programs including the Maryland P3 Program, the e-Heath Center at the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy, Interprofessional Care Transition Clinic, and pharmacy services within Primary Care and Integrated Primary Care Network (QCN) in value-based models.
She is recipient of the 2019 NAP Creativity in Practice and Education Award, 2015 APhA Foundation Individual Pinnacle Award, 2014 Maryland Innovator of the Year, 2013 UMB Entrepreneur of the Year, 2013 APhA Daniel B. Smith award and 2005 Bowl of Hygeia. She has many publications and presentations at the national and international levels.
Linda Tyler
University of Utah College of Pharmacy, UT
Linda S. Tyler, PharmD, is a Professor (Clinical) in the Department of Pharmacotherapy, College of Pharmacy, at University of Utah Health. Dr. Tyler is currently serving as Immediate Past President of the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP).
Dr. Tyler earned her BS in Pharmacy and Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Utah and completed a residency in pharmacy practice at University of Nebraska Medical Center. Previously, Dr. Tyler was the Chief Pharmacy Officer (CPO) for University of Utah Health and Associate Dean at the College of Pharmacy. She served as Residency Program Director for the two-year combined health system pharmacy administration and leadership residency and Master of Science degree program. Prior to serving as CPO, Dr. Tyler was Director of the University of Utah Drug Information Service.
Dr. Tyler was the 2015 recipient of the John Webb Award, given by ASHP in recognition of outstanding pharmacy leadership. She is recognized as a fellow in ASHP. Dr. Tyler’s areas of interest include leadership development, strategic planning for pharmacy services, new drugs, literature evaluation, medication safety, drug shortages, evidence-based decision making, and drug policy development.
Troy Trygstad
CPESN USA, NC
Troy is the Executive Director of CPESN USA, a clinically integrated network of community-based pharmacy networks that endeavors to improve the quality and effectiveness of enhanced services provided by participating pharmacies and align them with the workflows and payment reform incentives of physicians, their support staff and other healthcare providers. He also serves as the Vice President of Pharmacy Provider Partnerships for Community Care of North Carolina, an organization providing wrap-around population health management supports for nearly 2,000 primary care practices.
Troy possesses over twenty years of experience with multi-disciplinary care teams and intervention development under alternative payment and support models. He was the Project Director for a Center for multi-year Medicare & Medicaid Innovation Award that tested new models of payment and pharmacy connectivity to primary care providers. Troy co-founded the Pharmacy Home Project in 2007 and a web application to accompany that combined more than 50 different medical list contexts into a single portal utilized by multiple care team members and care managers, including pharmacist in multiple settings of care.
Troy proudly practices in a community pharmacy setting on nights and weekends and served recently as a board member for the American Pharmacists Association Foundation and the Pharmacy Quality Alliance, as well as Editor-in-Chief of Pharmacy Times. Troy received Doctor of Pharmacy and Master’s in Business Administration degrees from Drake University and a PhD in Pharmaceutical Outcomes and Policy from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
