AMCP announces election results for 2012-2013 president-elect, directors

The Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy (AMCP) has announced election results for the 2012-2013 president-elect position and Board of Directors openings.

Elected were Kim Caldwell, director of legislation and public policy interface, Humana Pharmacy Solutions, Humana, to serve as AMCP’s 2012-2013 president elect, along with directors David Calabrese, RPh, MHP, Formulary clinical editor and vice president, clinical services, SXC Health Solutions; Kathleen Kaa, director of field reimbursement at Genentech; and Mitzi Wasik, PharmD, BCPS, director, pharmacy Medicare programs, Coventry Health Care.

Caldwell has worked in the pharmacy field for more than 37 years. In his platform statement, Caldwell said his career has been blessed with key opportunities to assist our profession. “I chose to lead the transformation of pharmacy rules at the state level, to lead positive change on the model rule language within the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy, and to help lead the development and implementation of Medicare Part D,” Caldwell said. “And today I stand ready to help AMCP grow in membership and to lead our association into the next phase of managed care pharmacy.”

Calabrese has more than 23 years of managed care pharmacy experience within managed health plans, an integrated healthcare system, and the PBM industry. In his current role, he maintains oversight of SXC’s Pharmacy & Therapeutics Committee, Formulary Management, and Utilization Review/Management functions.

In his platform statement, Calabrese noted that as healthcare reform unfolds, the time is right for AMCP and its membership to once again assume a leadership role. “Some of the most essential tenets of healthcare reform [eg, enhanced coordination/integration, comparative effectiveness assessment, quality metrics, advanced technology, and transparency] are areas that we have all embraced for some time and were we have much to contribute.”

In addition, Calabrese said he would advocate for policy and programming that can drive greater levels of proactive collaboration, sharing of information and best practices, and the creation of vehicles through which our industry's leaders can come together to lead this important next era in our nation's healthcare system.

Kaa, who has held positions in value-based healthcare and managed care marketing, noted in her platform statement the significant uncertainty our marketplace faces in the future.

“Introduction of combined provider-institution models, [accountable care organizations], medical homes, insurance exchanges, community health partnerships and payment reform plans are all considerations as the Academy continues its history in influencing and advocating for sound decision-making and appropriate use of healthcare resources,” she said. “The Academy has established itself and our membership as experts in using managed care pharmacy principles to improve healthcare for all. Now, we need to proactively and effectively establish our strengths and contributions with new audiences.”

Dr Wasik has primary responsibilities that include the STARS initiatives, formulary management, and oversight of Medicare programs.

In her platform statement, Dr Wasik noted that regardless of the Supreme Court’s ruling on the healthcare reform law, managed care pharmacy must be prepared to fulfill an important role in patient care.

“New models of healthcare and payment systems are evolving that will demand all of our skills and a willingness to develop new ones,” she said. “We will need to think differently if we wish to ensure better outcomes in transitions of care, the medical home, MTM, and newer strategies.”

The new officers, along with those continuing their service on the Board, will be sworn in April 20 at AMCP’s 24th Annual Meeting & Expo in San Francisco.

“Congratulations go out to these four outstanding individuals,” said AMCP CEO Edith Rosato, RPh, IOM. “We are fortunate to have such a deep pool of talent to draw from each year to help move the Academy forward on its important business.”

Members of the AMCP Board of Directors set internal policies for the benefit of AMCP membership, and establish external positions for managed care pharmacy’s place in the broader healthcare arena.