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DENISE SUMMERS, PharmD, BCGP, CDCES
Westborough,MA
Summary
Dynamic and empathetic pharmacist leader with multi-state licensure and a proven track record in population health, geriatric care, and medication optimization. Accomplished in building and developing high-performing clinical teams that drive measurable improvements in quality metrics while advancing equitable healthcare delivery to enhance patient outcomes and quality of life. Expertise in strategic planning, interdisciplinary collaboration, and clinician engagement is complemented by strong communication and public speaking skills. Eager to leverage leadership abilities to foster organizational growth, innovation, and excellence in patient care.
Overview
26
26
years of professional experience
2
2
Certification
4
4
Multi-state licensure
Work History
Care Team Pharmacist Manager
Harmony Cares
11.2024 - Current
- Lead and manage a team of 11 clinical pharmacists with responsibility for maintaining quality, productivity, and patient care outcomes.
- Spearheaded EMR system change across the pharmacy team, coordinating training, education, and workflow updates to ensure seamless adoption and minimize disruption to patient care.
- Establish clinical pathways for geriatric prescribing for CKD, DM, CHF, COPD, frailty.
- Collaborate with interdisciplinary leadership to align pharmacy services with organizational objectives.
- Oversee hiring, onboarding, and career development, including individualized professional growth
plans. - Conduct performance management, including terminations and corrective actions when required.
- Developed and implemented new pharmacy technician workflows; recruited and trained a team of 4 pharmacy technicians to support care team functions.
Care Team Pharmacist
Harmony Cares
05.2024 - 11.2024
- Clinical consultations and age-friendly recommendations focused on the 4M's, participate in high-risk huddle interdisciplinary discussions, clinician and team education, development of team policies/procedures, training for new employees.
Clinical Pharmacist, Geriatric/Diabetes Care
Landmark Health/Optum Home & Community Care
09.2017 - 04.2024
- Established pharmacy services in the Northeast market and championed growth of the pharmacy team over 3 years to include 3 pharmacists and 3 technicians to support the region. Onboarded team, developed learning objectives, provided guidance, and served as a liaison to enterprise leadership as a team leader.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary team and clinical leadership to promote patient health, medication optimization, and patient care planning.
- Reduced APK and fragmentation of care for vulnerable dual Medicare/Medicaid and MA enrollees with 55-90% of pharmacy recommendations being accepted and implemented by PCP's and internal Landmark providers, respectively.
- Produced high level outcomes in 31.2% of recommendations made, with level 4 outcome or higher [prevent ER/MD/hospitalization, prevented an additional Rx].
- Enrolled and longitudinally managed a panel of 20 older persons with diabetes, reducing HbA1c by an average of 1.5%.
- Recognized as a market-level 'Life-saver' with an award for clinical excellence.
- Facilitated pharmacy rounds for a team of 35 pharmacists, created content, developed flow and clinical education, moderated discussion; educated providers and IDT of 200+ with monthly PowerPoint presentations.
- Established relationships with health plan partners to support quality metrics and patient care, effectively communicating with internal and external stakeholders.
- Established 'pharmacy fun' national team to strengthen morale and team building across roles, improving employee engagement results.
Transitions of Care Clinical Pharmacist
Athol Hospital
02.2017 - 02.2019
- Facilitated continuity of care in Medicaid population by participating in barrier assessment, pre-discharge rounds, cross team collaboration, post-discharge medication reconciliation and home visits, telephonic medication therapy management.
- Implemented rural access antimicrobial stewardship program to ensure proper prescribing patterns for antibiotic therapy.
- Assisted with drug procurement and resources for underinsured patients.
- Established standardized pharmacy medication history note to ensure proper medication reconciliation.
- Member of Diabetes Center of Excellence Committee and Hypoglycemia Sub-Committee; focused on management of DM in the inpatient population.
Clinical Inpatient Staff Pharmacist
MetroWest Medical Center
10.2007 - 02.2018
- Open communication with IDT to guide prescribing decisions, prevented harmful drug and allergic reactions, therapy duplications.
- Supplied pharmaceutical information to physicians, nurses, and dieticians and other members of hospital team.
- Improved drug inventory management procedures to reduce waste and eliminate backorders and overstock.
- ADR and medication-related error tracking using Theradoc.
- Pharmacokinetic monitoring and dose adjustment for adult and pediatric population.
Education
Doctorate Degree - Pharmacy, Pharm.D
University of Washington
Seattle, WA06.1999
Bachelor’s Degree - Psychology, B.S.
University of Oregon
Eugene, OR09.1994
Skills
- Critical decision-making
- Team-based problem resolution
- Task prioritization
- Proactive goal setting
- Confident speaking ability
- Clinical training development
- Experienced with Microsoft Office applications
- Telehealth/Remote Worksite
Certification
- Board Certified Geriatric Pharmacist Certification No. 99108414 | Exp: 2027
- Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist Certification No. 22200680 | Exp: 2025
- Diabetes Care ASHP | 2022
- Hospice and Palliative Care St. Louis College of Pharmacy | 2021
Interests
Timeline
Care Team Pharmacist Manager
Harmony Cares
11.2024 - Current
Care Team Pharmacist
Harmony Cares
05.2024 - 11.2024
Clinical Pharmacist, Geriatric/Diabetes Care
Landmark Health/Optum Home & Community Care
09.2017 - 04.2024
Transitions of Care Clinical Pharmacist
Athol Hospital
02.2017 - 02.2019
Clinical Inpatient Staff Pharmacist
MetroWest Medical Center
10.2007 - 02.2018
Doctorate Degree - Pharmacy, Pharm.D
University of Washington
Bachelor’s Degree - Psychology, B.S.
University of Oregon
Awards
MA State Pharmacist Association Upsher-Smith Excellence in Pharmacy Innovation (De-prescribing) | 2023
Landmark Health New England Market “Lifesaver” Award | 2022
ASP/APhA Inspiring Leadership, Pfizer Outstanding Leadership Award | 1996-1999
LICENSURE
Commonwealth of Massachusetts | Rhode Island | Washington State | Maine
SOCIAL
linkedin.com/in/denise-s-71b23224
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