HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Pharmacists Care Network (PPCN) is pleased to announce that Dr. Rob Maher has been selected to serve as its new President and Chief Operating Officer (COO). Dr. Maher brings over 30 years of experience working in independent community pharmacy practice, ambulatory care pharmacy, long-term care pharmacy and hospital pharmacy.

Dr. Maher has an extensive history with PPCN, since its formation in 2015. Dr. Maher has been actively involved in PPCN since by serving as a PPCN luminary, PPCN trainer and technology solution support lead for PioneerRX. Dr. Maher has also represented PPCN nationally, serving for the past three years as Chair of the Community Pharmacy Enhanced Services Network's (CPESN) Quality Assurance Committee.

Most recently he has served as Director of Pharmacy Services for Klingensmith's Drugstore, a seven-store independent, family-owned chain of PPCN-member pharmacies located in Armstrong and Clarion counties. In this role, Dr. Maher lead the development, implementation, and growth of enhanced community pharmacy services across multiple locations. Through use of key performance indicators (KPIs), careful workflow considerations and by leaning into technology, Dr. Maher was able to position Klingensmith's to serve their communities while growing new business revenue.

In addition to his practice experience, Dr. Maher has spent the past 25 years serving as a faculty member and administrative pharmacist at the Duquesne University School of Pharmacy. During this time, Dr. Maher has taught and inspired countless student pharmacists through didactic courses related to the fundamentals of pharmacy practice management, implementation of pharmacy services and business planning/entrepreneurship.

Dr. Maher earned both his B.S. in Pharmacy (’93) and PharmD from the University of Pittsburgh ('97). In 1998, Dr Maher completed a Geriatric pharmacy specialized residency at Duke University's Center for the Study of Aging and the Durham Veteran's Affairs Geriatric Research Education Center. Growing up, Dr. Rob Maher worked in his family’s community pharmacy in Patton, Pa. (Cambria County) that his father owned and operated for 47 years. In 2021, the business was sold to another independent pharmacy owner. Dr. Maher also was a pharmacy owner partner for Mission Pharmacy Services, a long-term care pharmacy.

Dr. Maher will be taking over for Dr. Brandon Antinopoulos, the network's first President and COO. Dr. Antinopoulos is embarking on a new career path as an independent pharmacy owner. Current PPCN Executive Director, Stephanie McGrath, will remain in her role leading the network's program design, implementation, and evaluation efforts to advocate for the quality care provided by PPCN pharmacies.  PPCN Director of Engagement, Kelsey Hake, will also remain in her role supporting payer program implementation, evaluation and quality assurance. 

About the Pennsylvania Pharmacists Care Network

The Pennsylvania Pharmacists Care Network (PPCN), a CPESN® USA network, is a clinically integrated network of more than 200 community pharmacies in Pennsylvania that provide enhanced patient care services and work to advance community-based pharmacy practice. In collaboration with payors and providers, PPCN Pharmacists provide high quality medication management services to patients ensuring appropriate medication use and improved health outcomes. PPCN is a service of the Pennsylvania Pharmacists Association (PPA).   www.papharmacistsnetwork.com/

About the Pennsylvania Pharmacists Association

Founded in 1878, the Pennsylvania Pharmacists Association is a professional membership organization of more than 2,000 pharmacists and pharmacy students across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, representing almost all facets of pharmacy practice. As the leading voice of pharmacy in Pennsylvania, it promotes the profession through advocacy, education, and communication to enhance patient care and public health. www.papharmacists.com

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Dr. Antinopoulos has more than 20 years of experience in community pharmacy with an established track record of success leading and working with pharmacies to enable quality patient care, increases in profit and demonstration of their value.

“Pharmacists and their team members play an integral role in our Pennsylvania communities by providing high-quality, patient-centered care. For years, the PPCN has been working collaboratively with pharmacists, payers, other providers, and patients to deliver that care and bring value to all the stakeholders involved,” said Antinopoulos. 

Antinopoulos continued, “It has been my career mission to create opportunities for pharmacists to provide care in their communities and make sure they are appropriately paid for it. I am honored to lead the team at PPCN and on behalf of our network to continue moving towards a future that ensures all Pennsylvanians will have access to high-quality, patient-centered care provided by our pharmacists.”

He comes to PPCN directly from AmerisourceBergen where he was a Good Neighbor Pharmacy Business Coach to 70 pharmacies in PA, OH, WV, NY and KY. In this role, he worked directly with pharmacy owners and operators to help them successfully execute available patient care opportunities and enabled them to be paid accordingly.

Prior to working for AmerisourceBergen Antinopoulos worked as a Pharmacist Sr. Program Manager at the University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy where he led the development, implementation, and evaluation of several pharmacy programs for independent and chain pharmacies alike, all the while teaching students about community pharmacy practice management principles. Earlier in his career, Antinopoulos worked as the Pharmacy Manager and Director of Operations for his family’s independent pharmacy and served as PPCN’s first-ever Executive Manager where he launched the network. 

Antinopoulos received his B.S. in Accounting from Penn State University and Doctor of Pharmacy from the University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy. After graduation, he completed a PGY1 Community Practice Residency at the University of Pittsburgh Student Health Pharmacy, a program that operated in collaboration with the Pennsylvania Pharmacists Association.

Dr. Antinopoulos has received numerous awards recognizing his leadership, chaired numerous committees within the Pennsylvania Pharmacists Association and has served on their Board of Directors. 

PPCN Board Chair Nick Leon said, “We are incredibly excited that Brandon will be able to serve as our first-ever President and Chief Operating Officer.  A number of excellent pharmacists, spanning across the country, expressed their interest in this position and wanted to work with our team and our network pharmacies - which in and of itself shows just how far we have come and how much of a national exemplar we are.  Folks see that there is tremendous opportunity in front of us. The entire PPCN Board of Directors firmly believes that Brandon has the right combination of drive, experience, and know how to deliver on that promise.”

Current PPCN Executive Director, Stephanie McGrath, will remain in her role leading the network’s program design, implementation and evaluation efforts to advocate for the quality care provided by PPCN pharmacies.

Antinopoulos and McGrath will be both be in attendance the Pennsylvania Pharmacists Association 2023 Mid-Year Conference, February 24-26, 2023, at the Lancaster Marriott.

Welcome to the PPCN team Dr. Antinopoulos.

About the Pennsylvania Pharmacists Care Network

The Pennsylvania Pharmacists Care Network (PPCN), a CPESN® USA network, is a clinically integrated network of over 180 community pharmacies in Pennsylvania that provide enhanced patient care services and work to advance community-based pharmacy practice. In collaboration with payors and providers, PPCN Pharmacists provide high quality medication management services to patients ensuring appropriate medication use and improved health outcomes. PPCN is a service of the Pennsylvania Pharmacists Association (PPA), the state’s leading voice for advocating for the profession of pharmacy and advancing the quality of patient care.

About the Pennsylvania Pharmacists Association

Founded in 1878, the Pennsylvania Pharmacists Association is a professional membership organization of more than 2,000 pharmacists and pharmacy students across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, representing almost all facets of pharmacy practice. As the leading voice of pharmacy in Pennsylvania, it promotes the profession through advocacy, education, and communication to enhance patient care and public health.

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HARRISBURG, JANUARY 26, 2023 – The Pennsylvania Pharmacists Care Network (PPCN) and Highmark Wholecare have launched a new program that allows PPCN participating pharmacies to be reimbursed for providing direct patient care services for Medicaid members across 27 counties of Pennsylvania. These services were thoughtfully designed to expand access to pharmacist-provided services, address gaps in care and cater to each individual patient’s needs.

With this new program, that targets medication adherence and address gaps in care, pharmacies are now eligible for reimbursement for services provided to eligible Highmark Wholecare Medicaid members. Examples of new covered services include: medication reconciliation, home visits, social determinants of health screenings and referrals, COVID-19 vaccine gaps closures, health risk assessments, and naloxone education and dispensing.

“Our pharmacists are thrilled for the opportunity to engage their patients with complex medication and non-medication related needs, and work collaboratively on a solution,” said Stephanie McGrath, PharmD, PPCN Executive Director and Director of Community Pharmacy Partnerships, University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy. “Studies have shown that Medicaid patients visit their pharmacy up to 35 times a year. These are critical opportunities for engagement and connection back to health plan and community resources. This program allows our pharmacists to provide Highmark Wholecare Medicaid members access to triage and care, in a sustainable way.”

“Highmark Wholecare believes in caring for the whole person in communities where the need is greatest,” said Jeramie Thomas, PharmD, Clinical Programs Development, Highmark Wholecare. “We look forward to supporting the type of whole health care that our members require to live their best lives. This partnership will create new pathways to identify member needs, especially ones related to social determinants of health, and strengthen our alliance with community pharmacists to improve the quality of care that we provide our members.”

Highmark Wholecare serves Blue Shield members in 13 counties in central Pennsylvania, and Blue Cross Blue Shield members in 14 counties in southwestern Pennsylvania.

About the Pennsylvania Pharmacists Care Network
The Pennsylvania Pharmacists Care Network (PPCN), a CPESN® USA network, is a clinically integrated network of over 180 community pharmacies in Pennsylvania that provide enhanced patient care services and work to advance community-based pharmacy practice. In collaboration with payors and providers, PPCN Pharmacists provide high quality medication management services to patients ensuring appropriate medication use and improved health outcomes. PPCN is a service of the Pennsylvania Pharmacists Association (PPA), the state’s leading voice for advocating for the profession of pharmacy and advancing the quality of patient care.

About CPESN® USA
CPESN® USA is a clinically integrated, nationwide organization of pharmacy networks organized to advance community-based pharmacy practice. CPESN® Networks empower community-based pharmacies that are deeply rooted within their community by fostering their ability to provide high quality, patient-centered enhanced services. CPESN® pharmacies integrate with the other providers on the patient’s care team and coordinate medical treatment which has led to better medication adherence, higher patient satisfaction, and lower healthcare costs. You can now find CPESN® Networks of pharmacy providers in 42 states across America. To learn more, please visit www.cpesn.com.

About Highmark Wholecare
We believe in caring for the whole person in all communities where the need is greatest. We see a future in which everyone has equal opportunity to achieve their best health. Through our leading Medicaid and Medicare programs, we are coordinating health care that goes beyond doctors and medicine that helps members achieve not just physical health, but also delivers whole person care. Our team members are helping to drive this new kind of health care for our 410,000 Medicaid and Medicare members in collaboration with a network of 29,000 primary care physicians, specialists, hospitals and other ancillary providers. We are also committed to supporting our neighbors through our many community outreach and engagement programs.

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