Pharmacy Innovators Podcast

Specialty pharmacy is evolving faster than ever, making it increasingly difficult for health systems to protect margins and drive sustainable growth using historical reports alone. In this episode, host Jim Jorgenson is joined by Joe Cesarz, Chief Client Success Officer at Visante, and Angie Amado, Senior Vice President, Client Services at Visante, to discuss why health systems can no longer manage specialty pharmacy by looking in the rearview mirror.
Joe and Angie explore the financial and operational trends reshaping specialty pharmacy, the leading indicators organizations should be monitoring, and how predictive analytics can help leaders identify risks before they impact performance. They also discuss how health systems can assess market opportunity and build a proactive framework to support long-term specialty pharmacy success.

Halfway through 2026, one trend has become impossible to ignore: health systems are beginning to split into two very different camps.
Some are playing defense—focused on reimbursement pressures, Medicaid shifts, workforce challenges, and tightening margins. Others are taking an opportunistic approach, using these same market forces to expand specialty pharmacy, strengthen infusion services, optimize 340B, and position pharmacy as a strategic growth engine.
In this mid-year check-in, host Jim Jorgenson is joined by Alex Varkey, Vice President of Client Success, and Dave Hager, Senior Vice President of Client Success at Visante, to revisit Visante's Top 10 Forces Shaping Health System Pharmacy in 2026 and discuss what they're seeing across the country.
The message is clear: organizations making bold, strategic decisions today are positioning themselves for long-term success. In today's market, victory favors the brave—and with the right strategy and the right partner, today's challenges can become tomorrow's competitive advantage.

Health system pharmacy is under more pressure — and expected to deliver more value — than ever before. In this episode, host Jim Jorgenson is joined by Dr. Kate Schaafsma, Vice President and Chief Pharmacy Officer at Rush University Health System, and Dr. Jeff Oliver, Vice President and Chief Pharmacy Officer at Orlando Health, to discuss the challenges and opportunities shaping modern health system pharmacy.
 
Kate and Jeff share how strong partnerships across their health systems are positioning pharmacy as a strategic enterprise asset while improving patient care and operational performance. From workforce pressures and specialty pharmacy growth to technology and site of care strategy, this conversation explores how health systems can build more resilient, forward-thinking pharmacy operations.

What does it take to turn pharmacy into a true enterprise asset? In this episode, host Jim Jorgenson is joined by Derek Imars, Executive Director of Pharmacy Supply Chain at IU Health, and Steve Rough, Chairman at Visante, to explore how pharmacy supply chain is evolving—from managing drug shortages to enabling growth in infusion and specialty services—through more connected, end-to-end strategies from purchase to patient.
They share perspectives on operating models, centralized infrastructure, and the financial and regulatory complexity shaping pharmacy today. From 340B and DSCSA to site of care strategy and value capture, this conversation highlights where organizations are still leaving value on the table—and how to build a more resilient, strategic supply chain.

In this episode of Innovators Podcast, host Jim Jorgenson speaks with Dr. Sam Wetherill, VP and Chief Pharmacy Officer at Penn State Health, about his journey from Penn State pharmacy student to health system leader and how his 22 years of Army service shaped his leadership approach.
They also discuss Penn State Health’s strategic priorities, the evolving role of pharmacy within health systems, and the importance of the 340B program in supporting patient care and ambulatory initiatives.

In this episode, Visante CEO Amy Amick and Chairman Steve Rough join host Jim Jorgenson to spotlight three powerful forces from Visante’s Top 10 Forces Shaping Pharmacy in 2026 — and why pharmacy is rapidly emerging as a strategic growth platform for health systems. This conversation is designed for both pharmacy and health system leaders who are responsible for margin, strategy, and overall enterprise performance.
From elevating pharmacy from cost center to growth engine, to capturing ambulatory opportunity and reducing prescription leakage, to unlocking the next wave of untapped value, this episode challenges leaders to rethink pharmacy as a business unit with measurable impact.
🔗 Read the full Top 10 Forces Shaping Pharmacy in 2026

As the 340B Rebate Model Pilot approaches, hospitals and health systems are preparing for one of the most significant shifts the program has faced in years. In this episode, Jim Jorgensen is joined by Kristin Fox-Smith, Managing Director, and Jerame Hill, Chief Strategy Officer at Visante, to break down what the new rebate model means for covered entities.
 
This conversation is especially important for hospital executives as the rebate model directly impacts cash flow, staffing needs, operational risk, and financial planning. The group discusses the real-world implications of HRSA’s guidance, including increased data and reconciliation complexity, ongoing uncertainty as January 1 approaches, and the decisions leaders may soon face. Listeners will also hear practical insight on how to prepare now to reduce risk and protect organizational performance.

In this episode of Pharmacy Innovators, host Jim Jorgenson sits down with Jim Jacobsohn, Chief Growth Officer at Visante, and Joelle Hall, Director of Infusion Strategy, to explore how infusion services are becoming a strategic lever for hospitals and health systems. The conversation highlights how shifting care delivery models, increasing consumer expectations, payer pressures, and new market disruptors are reshaping infusion strategy—requiring health systems to rethink how and where care is delivered across hospital outpatient, AIS, and home infusion settings.
The guests discuss why pharmacy is uniquely positioned to lead this transformation and how connecting infusion services to enterprise strategy can drive improved access, financial sustainability, and better patient and provider experiences. They outline critical success components—including footprint design, payer contracting, revenue cycle alignment, analytics, and patient experience—and offer insights on partnership models and return-on-investment expectations. Whether you're a CPO, CSO, CFO, or health system strategist, this episode provides a practical and forward-looking view of the infusion landscape and how to compete in a rapidly evolving market.

In this episode, Jamie Leonard shares her journey from clinical pharmacist to Director of Pharmacy at Benefis Health System in Great Falls, Montana. She oversees pharmacy operations across the continuum of care, including acute care, cancer and infusion centers, long-term care, critical access hospitals, and Benefis’ 340B program.
Jamie discusses the unique challenges of serving a largely rural and government-payer-heavy population, while emphasizing Benefis’ strong commitment to community health, education, and work-life balance. She highlights key pharmacy initiatives such as expanding specialty and retail pharmacy, growing a Meds-to-Beds program, and supporting patients with timely medication access—critical in a state where patients often travel long distances.

In this episode of Ask the Innovators, Jim Jorgenson sits down with Visante’s Angela De Ianni, Managing Director, and Nivedha Poondi, Consultant, to unpack the rapid changes happening across the 340B program. From the transition to a rebate model to the ongoing challenges around DSH eligibility, our guests break down what these shifts mean for covered entities and share practical advice on how hospitals and health systems can prepare, adapt, and stay resilient. Tune in to hear expert insights on the future of 340B—and the strategies organizations can use to remain grounded and strategic in the face of uncertainty.