Top Stories
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Legislative Update: Key Bills Affecting Pharmacy
A TPA legislative update went out earlier this week concerning a few of the key bills affecting Pharmacy. For those who may have been too busy to read it, please visit this link to review. READ MORE
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Senate Approves Legislation to Repeal Medicare Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR) Formula
The Senate recently, approved legislation to repeal the Medicare Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR) formula. READ MORE
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UTCOP/UTEP-UT Provide Health Screenings; Mootz Receives RESPy
The Hispanic Association of Pharmacists (HAP) at the University of Texas at Austin in collaboration with the El Paso Student Pharmacists Association at the University of Texas at El Paso (as part of UTEP-UT Austin Coop program) provided health screenings. READ MORE
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Dividends Returned to Pharmacists Mutual Policyholders
TPA-endorsed Pharmacists Mutual Insurance Company, the leader in serving the insurance needs of pharmacists and pharmacies, has announced the distribution of dividend payments for 2014. READ MORE
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Member Spotlight: Dana Radman, Director of Pharmacy Services at Baylor Scott & White Health
TPA welcomes new member Dana Radman! Originally from Los Angeles, Dana Radman studied pre-med at the University of California at San Diego, where she double majored in Animal Physiology/Neuroscience and Psychology. READ MORE |
Advocacy
Legislative Update: Key Bills Affecting Pharmacy
A TPA legislative update went out earlier this week concerning a few of the key bills affecting Pharmacy. For those who may have been too busy to read it, please visit this link to review: VIEW THE UPDATE HERE
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National News
Senate Approves Legislation to Repeal Medicare Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR) Formula
The Senate recently, approved legislation to repeal the Medicare Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR) formula. The bill passed 92-8 and without reference to an ICD-10 delay, giving further momentum towards the Oct. 1, 2015 implementation deadline and creating increased urgency for those still preparing for the new medical code set, with all major hurdles now cleared.
Last year, House leadership slipped a last minute rider into SGR legislation, delaying ICD-10 for another 12 months. The postponement was the third in six years, blindsiding the healthcare community and discouraging ICD-10 proponents who were left wondering if the code set would ever see the light of day. With the passing of this bill and omission of any further ICD-10 delay legislation, those concerns now appear behind us...Full story here.
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CMS Accepting Public Comment on Proposed Rules
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and Office of the National Coordinator are accepting public comment on the Stage 3 and 2015 Edition Health Information Technology Certification Criteria proposed rules. All comments must be submitted by May 29.
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Community Pharmacy Foundation Announces Website Enhancements, Redesigned Logo
The Community Pharmacy Foundation (CPF) Board of Directors recently announced their significantly redesigned logo and enhanced website. CPF is a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing community pharmacy practice and patient care delivery through grant funding and resource sharing.
"The website is now extremely robust in both content and functionality with a modern design. It brings the main content related to the CPF Mission into prominence – grant funding and resource sharing,” said CPF President, Phil Burgess, RPh.
The logo redesign is a modern style and color scheme with equal weighting to each significant aspect of the organization Community • Pharmacy • Foundation.
"CPF’s website is content rich, socially engaging, visually pleasing, easily navigable and most importantly, the source of valuable grant and reference materials for community pharmacy practice and research needs,” said Anne Marie (Sesti) Kondic, PharmD, Executive Director.
CPF partnered with ISADEX Corporation of Stoughton, Wisconsin in the redesign of this website.
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Colleges of Pharmacy
UTCOP/UTEP-UT Provide Health Screenings
The Hispanic Association of Pharmacists (HAP) at the University of Texas at Austin in collaboration with the El Paso Student Pharmacists Association at the University of Texas at El Paso (as part of UTEP-UT Austin Coop program) recently provided health screenings and referred patients to primary care providers. Volunteers at the health screening also included members of the community including students from El Paso community college and firefighters. This experience was meaningful for UTCOP student pharmacists because it provided them with an opportunity to collaborate with other health professionals and make a difference in the community!
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Marilyn Mootz, UT College of Pharmacy P2 Receives RESPy Award
Congratulations to TPA Member Marilyn Mootz, P2 student at the University of Texas at Austin College of Pharmacy and recent recipient of a RESPy Award presented by Walmart/Pharmacy Times. The RESPy Award recognizes extraordinary humanitarian work in the community, and salutes the service of pharmacy students throughout the country. Since 2007, Walmart and Pharmacy Times have honored 67 student pharmacists nationwide with the RESPy Award.
As a pharmacy student, Mootz has been active in extracurricular activities including serving as Pharmacy Council as faculty relations co-chair (Spring 2014); representative to the Curriculum Committee (2013-2014); university outreach co-chair (2014-2015); class representative (2015); and recently elected vice president (2015-2016).
In addition, she has served as NCPA's chair for Project Collaborate (2013-2014 and 2014-2015) and Project Collaborate outreach chair (2014-2015). She served as immunization chair for APhA-ASP's Operation immunization (2013-2014 and 2014-2015) and as a founding member of the American College of Clinical Pharmacy student chapter.
She is a recipient of scholarships from the Generations Club, the Texas Association of Advisors of Health Professions. Pharmacy Council named her as P1 Rookie of the Year (2014) and as Most Involved Student (2015).
Students selected for the RESPy honor receive a $1,000 scholarship, a handcrafted mortar and pestle, invitation to the Walmart pharmacy intern program, and a full-page feature article about their service and commitment in Pharmacy Times.
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Association News
2015 TPF Scholarship Applications Due Today, April 24
Attention all pharmacy students: Looking for a way to help pay for your education? The Texas Pharmacy Foundation offers a number of scholarships, but students need to submit their applications by April 24. Please visit here for more information and scholarship applications.
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Dividends Returned to Pharmacists Mutual Policyholders
TPA-endorsed Pharmacists Mutual Insurance Company, the leader in serving the insurance needs of pharmacists and pharmacies, has announced the distribution of dividend payments for 2014. Over $1.1 million of dividends was distributed to mutual company commercial and professional liability policyholders. Pharmacists Mutual has returned dividends to policyholders every year since their founding in 1909.
Currently licensed in Texas and 49 other states, Pharmacists Mutual Insurance Company strives "To help customers attain peace of mind through specialized insurance solutions and superior personal service.” Pharmacists Mutual Companies (Pharmacists Mutual Insurance Company, The Pharmacists Life Insurance Company and PMC Advantage Insurance Services, Inc.) provide business, personal, professional, life and health products for its core markets of pharmacy, dentistry, home medical/home health, and card and gift stores. Learn more at www.phmic.com or call 800.247.5930.
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Member Spotlight: Dana Radman, Director of Pharmacy Services at Baylor Scott & White Health
TPA welcomes new member Dana Radman! Originally from Los Angeles, Dana Radman studied pre-med at the University of California at San Diego, where she double majored in Animal Physiology/Neuroscience and Psychology.
"Like most premed students, I was interested in biology. Animal Physiology/Neuroscience is a sub- specialty of biology,” says Radman, who also served as a coxswain on UCSD’s crew team.
When Radman realized she did not want to go on to med school, she sought other options. She took a few years to figure things out, working for a pharmaceutical-related company in San Diego as a research associate. There she became more familiar with the pharmacy industry, and in 2002 applied to University of Southern California School of Pharmacy.
While interning with Keck Hospital of USC during pharmacy school, Radman realized she didn’t want to work in retail or research.
"Once I was in the hospital setting I enjoyed the patient care aspect and the cutting edge technology,” she says.
After earning her Pharm.D. in 2006, she went on to become Manager of Clinical Effectiveness at Stanford Healthcare. In that role, Radman oversaw a number of components, including quality, medication safety, regulatory, and operations before being promoted to Assistant Director of Pharmacy, where she led a larger team.
Texas Bound
While pursuing her executive masters in Health Administration, Radman made a decision to leave California for Texas.
"My decision was both personal and professional,” she says. "I met my significant other at that program, who happened to live in Texas, and it made more sense for me to relocate.”
Radman moved to the Dallas area last November and started her new position as Director of Pharmacy Services for Baylor Scott & White Health in Garland a month later.
"Looking at the opportunities here in Texas, I zeroed in on Baylor Scott & White Health," says Radman. "It’s a health-system made up of more than 40 hospitals. The director position has allowed me to apply the experience I gained at Stanford in a new setting and expand my skills and grow as a leader in a new organization."
The TPA Connection
Seeking help preparing for her MPJE exam, Radman became a TPA member last January after signing up for the Law webinar.
"I highly recommend that webinar for anyone preparing for the Texas pharmacy law exam,” she says. "I did the self-study version, and the live recorded session really allowed me to listen at my own pace. I could review things and ‘rewind’ if I needed to check key areas of emphasis.
"Being new to Texas, joining TPA in January was a good way to find out what was happening in pharmacy in Texas. It’s a chance for me to better understand Texas pharmacy from a hospital setting. And it’s certainly a networking opportunity for getting to know the leaders in a new state.”
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Antidepressant Use in Anxiety, Depression and Bipolar - Helpful or Harmful?
Antidepressants are considered first line for the management of depression and anxiety disorders however their use in the management of a depressive episode in bipolar disorder remains controversial. This session will review signs and symptoms for depression, anxiety and bipolar disorder, and discuss the place of therapy for antidepressants in their management. Register by April 30!
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Follow TPA on Twitter
TPA's Twitter feed is growing! Follow for the latest in pharmacy news. Spread the word!Back to Top
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Table of Contents
Advocacy
Legislative Update: Key Bills Affecting Pharmacy
National News
Senate Approves Legislation to Repeal Medicare Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR) Formula
Senate Approves Legislation to Repeal Medicare Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR) Formula
CMS Accepting Public Comment on Proposed Rules
Community Pharmacy Foundation Announces Website Enhancements, Redesigned Logo
Colleges of Pharmacy
UTCOP/UTEP-UT Provide Health Screenings
Mootz Receives RESPy
Association News
Students: TPF Scholarship Applications Due Today-April 24th
Dividends Returned to Pharmacists Mutual Policyholders
Member Spotlight: Dana Radman, Pharm.D.
TPA Educational Opportunities
TPA offers other education programs on a wide range of topics. For information on all of TPA’s upcoming educational events, visit the TPA Event Calendar & Online CE Calendar
2015 TPA Conference & Expo The Woodlands Waterway Marriott Hotel & Convention Center • July 10-12
REGISTER NOW!
April CE - Free to TPA Members
Trending News
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Prior Authorizations: Pharmacy’s Own Little Horror Show
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