On October 13th, Susan will serve on the panel “Health IT and Pharmaceuticals – Costs, Savings and More” at Becker’s Annual Health IT + Revenue Cycle Conference. As part of an ongoing series, Becker’s is talking to healthcare leaders who plan to speak at the conference, which will take place on September 13-15, 2021 in Chicago.
To learn more about the conference and Susan’s sessions, click here.
Question: What technology has taken on greater significance or value during the pandemic?
Susan Kokura: Nothing beats the value of the human mind for ideas but I believe for pharmacy specifically automated dispensing cabinets and smart pump technology were of significant value. The optimization of these devices to provide medications related to the pandemic has been extremely helpful. I was able to program smart pumps to include larger bag volumes in order to ensure certain medication does not run out as fast and make changes to alarm settings in an effort to conserve PPE. Technology-wise for me personally automated dispensing cabinets and smart pumps were so valuable. Our recent implementation of Epic also helped tremendously to quickly have quick list medications added to the EMR.
Q: How has the coronavirus pandemic forced a paradigm shift in your line of work, from your perspective?
SK: You have to be as an individual working in an organization shift your mindset to going back to the basics. As a pharmacy manager, you put your hat down go back to filling medications and checking them and make sure all medications are safely delivered to your patient. You look at the need and you fill that need and gaps however you can despite what your current role is by title. All hands on deck and having an amazing team of individuals with the same mindset is helpful to get things done during a state of a pandemic. Together you are Amazing Efficient and Making a difference (TEAM).
Q: What is the most underrated trait of the best leaders?
SK: Kindness and trust in their employees. Being kind and calm during a pandemic and looking at the talents of each individual employee and creating teams to combat the situation is the most underrated trait of the best leaders. Best leaders run towards the challenge not away from it.
Pradeep Kadambi, President and Chief Executive Officer for University of Florida Jacksonville Physicians
At Becker's 4th Annual CEO + CFO Roundtable, taking place November 2–5 in Chicago, more than 1,500 hospital and health system executives tackle decisions that determine whether organizations thrive or merely survive: protecting margins under cost pressure, choosing where to grow, renegotiating payer relationships, stabilizing the workforce and proving real ROI on technology. This is where leaders work through them together, face-to-face. Apply for complimentary registration now.
