Marie Ekpema, PharmD
Kingwood,TX
Summary
Highly motivated and energetic professional with a proven track record of success in various sectors of the pharmacy industry including retail, hospital, consulting, and LTC. Experienced 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, empowering community members, and fostering collaborative care models within the healthcare system.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
Work History
Owner and CEO
Summerwood Pharmacy And Compounding
04.2016 - 12.2024
- Hired, trained, and managed pharmacists, technicians, and support staff to ensure compliance with regulatory and licensing agencies.
- Performed drug utilization reviews, disease state management, and medication therapy management.
- Implemented and successfully ran an ambulatory program to administer long acting anti-psychotic injections to patients in north east Houston.
- Implemented and managed policies and procedures for the compounding lab.
- Spearheaded, 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. The collaborative triad of the patient, pharmacist, and provider allowed hundreds of patients to get care with favorable outcomes which they otherwise would not have received.
- Created "The Children's Apothecary". This was a free annual STEM summer camp offered to children in North East Houston. Collaborated with Texas poison control, DEA, Life Savers Emergency Room, Starbucks, and Chick Fil A to offer this program. During the summer camp, children were allowed to observe life in a real pharmacy, perform non sterile compounding (non medicinal) with actual equipment, get educated on drug safety, healthy foods, and get a tour of an ambulance.
- Planned and hosted free community educational seminars on topics such as CBD, Diabetes, medication safety, and Weight Loss Medications.
- Facilitated long term care facility drug supplies, coordinated LTC fill cycles, and conducted pharmacy consultations efficiently and according to regulatory requirements.
- Collaborated with staff on a weekly basis to maximize patient satisfaction, streamline procedures and improve bottom-line profitability.
- Regularly developed and implemented promotional strategies to drive business success and maintain budgetary guidelines.
- Efficiently managed and satisfied all local, state and federal tasks and regulations including but not limited to TSBP, DEA, PSAO, USP, third party credentialing, OIG/GSA checks, HIPAA, and Fraud Waste and Abuse policies.
- Mentored pharmacy school, high school, and pharmacy technician school students as a state of Texas pharmacy preceptor.
- Served as a community expert providing regular consults to healthcare professionals and patients on functional medicine.
- Expert consultant to independent pharmacy owners on Texas pharmacy rules and regulations, DEA rules, long term care facility services, and compounding services.
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
- Supervised and assisted in the mentorship of pharmacy students
- Supervised the activities of the pharmacy technical staff
- Participated in Antibiotic Stewardship.
- 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
- 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 accordingly.
- 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, and DEA deficiencies.
- Successfully organized re-opening events at challenge stores in Northwest Houston and developed strategies to improve profitability
- Facilitated annual flu clinics by meeting with local businesses and securing immunization agreements for CVS Health.
- 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, TX02.2019
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
Houston, TX05.2005
Skills
- Hiring, staffing and talent management
- Pharmacy Inventory Management
- Medication Therapy Management
- Program Creation and Implementation
- Contract negotiation expertise
- Social media control and Marketing tactics
- Budget administration and Cash flow optimization
- Sterile and Non Sterile Compounding
- Antibiotic and Anticoagulant protocol management
- Quality Control
- Crisis Management
Timeline
Owner and CEO
Summerwood Pharmacy And Compounding
04.2016 - 12.2024
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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