PioneerRX
Marie Ekpema, PharmD
Houston,TX
Summary
Highly motivated and energetic professional with a proven track record of success in various sectors of the pharmacy industry, including retail, hospital, compounding, consulting, PBM contracts, and LTC. Extensive experience in establishing and growing operations using strategic and scalable approaches. Skilled at building strong relationships with individuals from diverse backgrounds. Committed to exceeding company expectations and fostering collaborative care models within healthcare systems.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
Work History
Owner and Pharmacist in Charge
Summerwood Pharmacy And Compounding
02.2016 - 04.2025
- Grew start up business from zero to appx $2.8MM revenue annually.
- Built business from zero prescriptions to a high volume hybrid pharmacy managing walk in patients, 12 long term care facilities, average of 9 wellness and BHRT consults weekly.
- Provided employment to 11 staff and contractor pharmacists and technicians.
- Precepted 3-4 pharmacists, and students annually through local schools and programs.
- Performed QA, DUR, DSM, MTM daily.
- Clinical Trial Site Principal for Pfizer(Pegus Research & Pfizer collaboration).
- Wrote health and wellness articles in community magazine.
- Implemented and successfully operated an ambulatory clinic to administer long acting anti-psychotic injections to patients in NE Houston.
- Implemented and successfully managed "The Women's Collaborative Program". Through this program, women were initiated and maintained on bio-identical hormone replacement therapy by the collaboration of a trained BHRT pharmacist and a medical provider.
- Created "The Children's Apothecary". This was a free annual STEM summer camp offered to children in North East Houston.
- Planned and hosted community educational seminars, and immunization clinics.
- Facilitated LTC facility drug supplies, fill cycles, and consults.
- Managed the Texas HIV Medication Drug Assistance Program.
- Collaborated with staff weekly to improve patient satisfaction, procedures and profitability.
- Efficiently satisfied all state and federal regulations including but not limited to TSBP, DEA, PSAO, USP, PBM, CMS, audits and credentials, OIG/GSA checks, HIPAA, and FWA.
- Served as consultant and clinical pharmacist using Lexicomp, Medispan, Facts&Comparisons, PubMed, Micromedex, IPA, DynaMed, UpToDate, ClinicalKey, FirstDataBank.
Clinical Pharmacist
Memorial Hermann Healthcare System
01.2014 - 01.2018
- Monitored drug orders for appropriateness of drug therapies.
- Provided drug-related information and education for patients being discharged on specific drugs according to hospital protocol.
- Assisted in the mentorship of pharmacy students.
- Supervised the activities of pharmacy technicians.
- Participated in Antibiotic Stewardship, clinical meetings, and hospital formulary meetings.
- Managed patients on anticoagulants and select antibiotics according to written protocols.
- Maintained medication profiles and reviews for drug related problems.
- Supervised the preparation of I.V. solutions and additives.
- Ensured safety of patients while adhering to policies, procedures, and standards.
- Provided clinical services using hospital formulary databases, MediSpan, First Databank, Lexicomp, and current clinical guidelines.
- Remained up-to-date on the latest technology and innovations as they apply to pharmacy practice.
Pharmacy Team Leader
CVS Health
08.2006 - 12.2015
- Verified prescriptions, monitored all drug utilization reviews, and counseled all patients.
- Managed pharmacists and technicians at retail pharmacies throughout Northwest Houston.
- Successfully converted challenge pharmacies to high functioning and profitable pharmacies by resolving state and federal regulatory deficiencies.
- Successfully organized re-opening events at challenge stores in Northwest Houston and developed strategies to improve profitability.
- Facilitated annual immunization clinics by meeting with local businesses and securing agreements.
- Maintained financial and patient care performance metrics within the top 10% of the company.
- Maintained and met all regulatory requirements as stipulated by the corporate office, Texas state board of pharmacy and Drug enforcement agency.
Retail Staff Pharmacist
CVS Health
04.2006 - 07.2006
- Supervised and tracked performance of technicians and reported to Pharmacy team leader
- Managed inventory and reduced expenditures by delegating inventory management duties to staff technicians
- Verified prescriptions for accuracy, screened profiles for drug interactions and offered counseling to patients when necessary
- Monitored and managed the pharmacy's HIV program.
- Supported pharmacy team leader in technician training projects and building customer service improvement projects.
- Created and implemented a plan for the pharmacy to ensure that customer service was not compromised during dispensing robot maintenance days.
Education
Bio-identical Hormone Replacement Therapy Specialist - Female Hormone Therapy
Professional Compounding Centers of America
Houston, TX02-2023
Medication Therapy Management Certification - Medication Therapy Management
University of Texas At Austin
Austin, TX10.2012
Certification in Pharmacist Administered Immunization - Immunization Therapy
American Pharmacist Association
Houston, TX04.2009
PharmD - Pharmacy
Xavier University of Louisiana
New Orleans, LA05.2005
Skills
- Hiring, Staffing, Talent Management
- MTM, and Prior Auth Clinical Work
- Program Creation and Implementation
- PBM Contract negotiation expertise
- Budget and Cash flow optimization
- Clinical Research Leadership
- Antibiotic stewardship
- Microsoft Word, Powerpoint, Excel
- Pioneer, EPIC, ComputerRX, Cerner
- Google Meet, Teams, Slack, Zoom
Software
EPIC
CERNER
ComputerRX
RXConnect
SLACK
Microsoft Teams
Microsoft Word
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Powerpoint
Microsoft Publisher
Timeline
Owner and Pharmacist in Charge
Summerwood Pharmacy And Compounding
02.2016 - 04.2025
Clinical Pharmacist
Memorial Hermann Healthcare System
01.2014 - 01.2018
Pharmacy Team Leader
CVS Health
08.2006 - 12.2015
Retail Staff Pharmacist
CVS Health
04.2006 - 07.2006
Medication Therapy Management Certification - Medication Therapy Management
University of Texas At Austin
Bio-identical Hormone Replacement Therapy Specialist - Female Hormone Therapy
Professional Compounding Centers of America
Certification in Pharmacist Administered Immunization - Immunization Therapy
American Pharmacist Association
PharmD - Pharmacy
Xavier University of Louisiana
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