MISSION

The Vanderbilt Specialty Pharmacy Health Outcomes and Research Program was established to improve patient care through sound research while furthering innovation and insights within the field of specialty pharmacy.

RESEARCH GOALS

We focus on the link between specialty pharmacy medications, health care delivery and patient outcomes by performing research that encompasses the complete patient journey, from evaluation through treatment. Specifically, we are committed to:

Patient Care

  • Improving medication access, adherence and health outcomes of Vanderbilt Specialty Pharmacy patients
  • Utilizing research findings to improve optimal care delivery through timely, positive patient service

Vanderbilt Specialty Pharmacy

  • Collaborating with manufacturers of specialty agents and payers insuring specialty patients on outcomes research efforts
  • Increasing access to limited distribution drugs and payers to better serve Vanderbilt University Medical Center patients

Specialty Pharmacy Profession

  • Evaluating and reporting the value of specialty pharmacy services to patients, providers and the healthcare community
  • Supporting and enhancing the role of Vanderbilt Specialty Pharmacy pharmacists as thought leaders in their fields of clinical research
  • Advocating for health-system specialty pharmacy recognition as an optimal care delivery model for specialty patients
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RESEARCH CAPABILITIES

We are uniquely positioned to produce rigorous, innovative, meaningful outcomes research. Our outcomes program leverages the expertise and experience of world-renowned physician champions within the Vanderbilt University Medical Center. We also fuel our efforts through a partnership with the Department of Biostatistics, a collaborative population health department and a cutting edge Health IT department to ensure our projects are solid and sound.

TEAM

Autumn Zuckerman, PharmD, BCPS, AAHIVP, CSP

Program Director

Megan Peter, PhD

Project Manager

Nisha Shah, PharmD

Research Pharmacist

AWARDS

2020

  • American College of Gastroenterology Annual Meeting, Virtual Meeting. October, 2020
    • Awarded ACG Outstanding poster presenter award
      • Alternative subcutaneous biologic dosing in inflammatory bowel disease is delayed depending on insurance approval requirements
  • National Association of Specialty Pharmacy (NASP) annual conference, Virtual Meeting. September 2020
    • Awarded Top Poster for “Specialty Pharmacy Services” category
      • Access to direct acting antiviral therapy for recipients of solid organs from hepatitis-c-viremic donors
    • Awarded Top Poster for “Adherence” category
      • Modeling rates of primary medication nonadherence with specialty oncolytic agents

2019

  • Zitter National Patient Choice Award (2019)
  • Tennessee Society of Health System Pharmacists
    • Innovative Health-System Pharmacy Practice of the Year (2019)
  • National Association of Specialty Pharmacy (NASP) Annual Meeting & Expo
    • First place outcomes poster
      • Development of a Collaborative Pharmacy Practice Agreement to Improve Efficiency and Management of Prescribing in a Renal Transplant Clinic (Encore Presentation)
  • Academy of Managed Care and Specialty Pharmacy Annual Meeting
    • Gold ribbon abstract winners
      • A Targeted Approach to Reducing Rates of Discontinuation and Dose Reduction in Patients Receiving Sorafenib or Regorafenib
      • Development of a Collaborative Pharmacy Practice Agreement to Improve Efficiency and Management of Prescribing in a Renal Transplant Clinic

2018

  • American College of Gastroenterology Meeting
    • Recognized as Best of ACG 2018 IBD & Liver
      • Risk Factors for Non-Adherence to Biologic Therapy in Adult Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD): A Retrospective Analysis
  • Academy of Managed Care and Specialty Pharmacy Nexus Meeting
    • Silver Ribbon Abstract
      • Closing the Gap: Identifying Rates and Reasons for Nonadherence in a Specialty Population

2017

  • National Association of Specialty Pharmacy Annual Meeting
    • Third place abstract winner
      • Assessing the Impact of High Touch Specialty Pharmacy Services in Patients Receiving Teriparatide
 

CONTACT

Want to learn more about Vanderbilt Specialty Pharmacy’s Outcomes Program? Interested in partnering with us on a current or future project? We would love to hear from you! Our contact information is below:

Autumn Zuckerman, Program Director
Autumn.zuckerman@vumc.org

Nisha Shah, Research Pharmacist
Nisha.b.shah@vumc.org  

Megan Peter, Project Manager
Megan.peter@vumc.org