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Managed Care Pharmacy Residents, past and present: Current Residents: Rena McClain, Pharm.D., and Pretty Gandhi, Pharm.D., MBA Rena McClain, a recent graduate of the Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy at Rutgers University and Pretty Gandhi, graduate of Albany College of Pharmacy, both have earned their Doctor of Pharmacy degrees. Pretty is also a Masters of Business Administration graduate from Union University. Together, they began their residency at Medco Health Solutions, Inc. June 27th, 2005. Prior work and rotational experiences, as well as academic instruction, have led them both to pursue a managed care pharmacy residency. Career Paths of Selected Former Residents: Larisa Markhovsky, Pharm.D. (Long Island University) After completion of her residency in June 2005, Larisa accepted a position with Medco as a Senior Clinical Specialist in the Integrated Drug File (IDF) department, which involves the maintenance of new and existing drug data and development of new drug modules that guide in the adjudication of medications in both retail and Medco mail order pharmacies. The residency experience provided Larisa with an in-depth understanding of the many responsibilities and functions that a pharmacist maintains in managed care pharmacy practice settings. She was also able to explore the involvement of pharmacists in areas of Specialty pharmacy, Account Management, and Regulatory Affairs. She would recommend this residency to anyone who is interested in exploring the many diversified roles that a pharmacist can have in a managed care organization. David Cheung, Pharm.D. (St. John's University) After completion of his residency in June 2005, David accepted a position with Medco as a Clinical Manager within the Health Plan Accounts. David believes that the program at Medco has provided him with excellent exposure to the pharmacy benefits management (PBM) industry and the managed care environment. He recommends this residency to pharmacists who are interested in growing professionally and pursuing a career in managed care. Ami Thakkar, Pharm.D., MBA (Drake University) After completion of her residency in June 2004, Ami accepted a position with Medco as a Clinical Account Executive within Northeast National Accounts. Ami believes having completed the residency at Medco has provided her with the competencies necessary to be a successful pharmacist within the pharmacy benefits management (PBM) industry and overall managed care environment. She recommends this residency program to those who are interested in learning the application of pharmacy practice within a PBM setting and completing a program that will prepare one for a future career in managed care pharmacy. Angela Chang, Pharm.D. (University of Michigan) After completion of the residency program, Angela accepted a Clinical Specialist of Benefits Management position with Henry Ford Health System in Michigan. "Having rotated through various departments within the company, I have a good understanding of the PBM business and what we can do to help manage drug cost. I've also learned the importance of leadership, project management and interpersonal skills." Samuel Engmann, Pharm.D., MBA (Mercer University) Samuel accepted a position as a Trend Consultant with Caremark Rx, Inc., in Lincolnshire, IL performing drug trend analysis and assisting with the development of Caremark's Drug Trend report. According to Samuel, Medco's residency program had a great impact on his professional and personal development. "I can definitely attest that I am a polished professional after completing this residency program, and can effectively apply the knowledge obtained from my didactic training. I will recommend Medco's residency to any pharmacist who wants to further their professional development and is interested in the PBM industry." Nadina Powell, Pharm.D. (Howard University) Upon completing her residency in June 2002, Nadina accepted an Associate Director position in clinical services with Systemed, a subsidiary of Medco. Nadina felt that the Medco residency program more than adequately provided her with the education to build a strong career in managed care. Nadina further noted, "I recommend this residency program to pharmacists interested in learning about the most innovative and exciting aspects of the PBM industry." Heather P. Long, Pharm.D. (University of Pittsburgh) Upon completing her residency in June, 2001, Heather accepted a Clinical Manager position within Medco's Account Management department. Heather believes that the completion of the Medco residency program has provided her with the knowledge and skills essential to be successful in managed care pharmacy and the pharmacy benefits management (PBM) industry. She recommends the completion of this program to pharmacists who are interested in gaining a solid foundation for a career in managed care pharmacy. Tatyana Kapustyan, Pharm.D. (University of Illinois at Chicago) Upon completing her residency in June, 2001, Tatyana accepted a position with Caremark Rx, Inc. as a Clinical Pharmacist responsible for developing and implementing clinical programs to support the Formulary Management "pull through" programs. Rhonda A. Wroble, Pharm.D. (University of Illinois at Chicago) After completing Medco's residency, Rhonda went on to complete a pharmacy practice residency in Tucson, Arizona. Afterwards, she accepted a position as the Clinical Pharmacist at the Gundersen Lutheran Health Plan in La Crosse, Wisconsin. Jennifer Y. Leung, Pharm.D. (University of Michigan) Upon completing her residency in June 1999, Jennifer was hired by Hoffman-La Roche in the Professional Product Information (a.k.a. drug information) department as a Product Services Manager. Ann M. Christiansen, Pharm.D. (University of Illinois at Chicago) Upon completing her residency in June 1998, Ann was hired as a project manager in Medco's Project Planning & Development department. Ann states that completion of the residency program helped her gain a unique understanding of the pharmacy benefits management business that she could not have achieved elsewhere. Ann is now employed by the Drug Information department of Eisai, Inc.
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