ALBANY, N.Y., July 8, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- CDPHP is proud to announce the graduation of its first pharmacy resident, Erich Weiss, PharmD, of Rochester, NY. Weiss began his training at CDPHP in July 2014. He is the first pharmacist to complete the program at the Albany-based health plan, and one of a few pharmacists in the country who have completed a residency program in managed care pharmacy.
"As the health care industry continues to evolve, we believe it is important for health plans, like CDPHP, to take an active role in the education of pharmacists," said Eileen Wood, RPh, MBA, chief pharmacy officer, CDPHP. "Long gone are the days when pharmacists simply dispensed medicine. Tomorrow's pharmacists must consider a wide variety of clinical, social, and economic factors when deciding what is best for patients," added Wood.
CDPHP is the first health plan in New York's Capital Region to offer a pharmacy residency program. The program is currently in the process of being accredited by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists and the Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy. The program's first year was so successful that the plan is expanding the program to include two residents for the 2015-16 year.
"The knowledge and experience I have gained over the past 12 months will stay with me for the rest of my life," said Weiss. "Working at a health plan like CDPHP, I was able to see that opportunities exist far beyond the traditional roles of pharmacists, and I'm looking forward to making a meaningful contribution to the greater health care community," added Weiss.
Weiss completed a series of rotations during the 12-month program, including:
- Formulary and policy development
- Pharmacy management
- Case management
- Patient-centered medical home
- Performance management
- Medicare Stars and health quality
- Medication therapy management
- Academia (at the Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences)
For more information on the CDPHP Pharmacy Residency Program, click here.
About CDPHP
Established in 1984, CDPHP is a physician-founded, member-focused and community-based not-for-profit health plan that offers high-quality affordable health insurance plans to members in 24 counties throughout New York. CDPHP is also on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest and Instagram.
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