|
|
|
|
Rhode Island
Pharmacists Association
PMB 113
1643 Warwick Avenue
Warwick, RI 02889
Voice: (401) 737-2600
Fax: (401) 737-0959
info@ripharmacists.org
|
|
June Spotlight - Al Martinelli |
 |
As a field representative for Pharmacists Mutual, Al Martinelli has been involved in the insurance industry for over twelve years servicing pharmacists, pharmacies, and businesses in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and Connecticut. Pharmacists Mutual was founded in 1909 by pharmacists for pharmacists making the company unique in understanding the needs and risks of the profession. Al works tirelessly to ensure that pharmacists have the proper liability coverage they need in their ever changing profession. As the role of the pharmacist is expanding to include immunizations, increased emphasis on MTM, prescribing by protocol, etc, Al makes sure that policies are up to date and reflect the advancements of the pharmacy profession. Al believes it is now more important than ever to keep up to date with changes in the practice of pharmacy by being involved with organizations such as RIPA.
Al and his company are involved in numerous professional and community events. They provide scholarships to pharmacy students nationwide and locally in Rhode Island. They sponsor the “Distinguished Young Pharmacist Award” for RIPA which recognizes a young pharmacist that demonstrates excellence and outstanding contributions to the organization and the community.
|
|
Al resides in Rhode Island and has been here his entire life. With his wife, he has three children and seven grandchildren with whom he enjoys spending all his time with. He takes great pride in his restoration of his vintage 1979 Fiat spider sports car, which he completed with the help of his son a few years back.
For more information about policies through Pharmacists Mutual contact Al at 401-339-5902 or email him at al.martinelli@phmic.com
|
May Spotlight - Donna Fresnilla |
 |
Donna Fresnilla began her career as a pharmacy technician in the typical way. She started at a young age working in a traditional pharmacy counting pills with a spatula and typing up prescription labels with an electronic typewriter. Although she enjoyed her traditional role in the pharmacy, Donna decided to see what other types of jobs might be available to her. In doing so, Donna began her work in the Pharmacy Benefits Management field. Currently, she works for Advanced Pharmacy Concepts (APC) in North Kingston as a government programs audit coordinator. Donna has been with APC for 10 years and has been a PTCB certified technician for 13 years. In 2005 and 2006 Donna had the opportunity for an adjunct faculty |
| position at CCRI teaching “Introduction to Pharmacy Technology.” Currently she also consults with the McGraw Hill Publishing Company where she reviews textbooks for pharmacy technician courses. Donna is a continuing education (CE) committee member and has done extensive work for RIPA in this area as the CE coordinator. She has been an invaluable asset for RIPA registering CE courses with ACPE, obtaining program speakers, applying for educational grants, and developing program brochures and assessment documents. In 2008, Donna was given the RIPA Pharmacy Technician of the Year Award to recognize her outstanding achievement and dedication to the pharmacy profession.
As she has evidenced by her career path, Donna feels it is important for pharmacy technicians to be aware of what job opportunities, beyond traditional roles, exist in the workplace. Donna hopes to get more technicians involved in RIPA because she believes the organization is a great place for networking and broadening traditional views by interacting with people with different pharmacy backgrounds. |
April Spotlight - Randy Vogenberg |
 |
A unique and extensive background in both pharmacy and business has led Randy Vogenberg PhD, RPh to become a nationally recognized expert on managed care, training, health care policy and economics, and innovative research regarding all aspects of the health care system. Dr. Randy Vogenberg is Principal at the Institute for Integrated Healthcare (IIH) in Sharon, Massachusetts. At IIH, Dr. Vogenberg works with employers, unions, and government agencies on three main areas including: benefit design consulting with a value-based approach, research and application of specialty pharmacy products and biopharmaceutics, and training and education. Recently, Dr. Vogenberg has been appointed as a strategic pharmacy advisor to the MidAtlantic Business Group on Health (MABGH), non-profit organization for employers and healthcare stakeholders whose aim is to provide cost-effective healthcare through value based strategies. In addition to his work at
|
|
IIH, Dr. Vogenberg is also an adjunct professor at URI College of Pharmacy and Senior Scholar for the Department of Health Policy, Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia, PA. He serves as editorial board member of several publications including Drug Benefit Trends, Biotechnology Healthcare, P & T,and American Health and Drug Benefits. As a health care policy expert, Dr. Vogenberg works side by side with key decision makers in the health care industry that have a direct effect on reimbursement rates. This has allowed him to advocate for the profession of pharmacy and demonstrate the value of pharmacists.
Dr. Vogenberg believes that “being involved in every aspect of pharmacy, including business, will help pharmacists develop a better understanding of the health care system and allow them to be more effectively heard while leveraging opportunities to be at the fore-front of decision making.” While the costs of health care continue to rise substantially, Dr. Vogenberg will continue on advising pharmacy related benefits and provide research and education to maximize pharmaceutical value and outcomes.
|
March Spotlight - Jo-Ann DiCenzo |
|
 |
Pharmacy technician Jo-Ann DiCenzo is a valuable asset to Shaw's/Osco Pharmacy in North Providence. Jo-Ann has nearly 40 years of retail experience working as a technician at the former Adams Drugs and other retail and grocery stores. She has been working for Shaw's Supermarkets for 14 years both in the grocery store and at Osco Pharmacy. Born and raised in North Providence, Jo-Ann is the "neighborhood" pharmacy technician to all of her patients and customers at Shaw's/Osco. She excels in customer service and is a devoted member to the pharmacy team.
Not only does she enjoy working with patients at the pharmacy, she also enjoys delivering prescriptions to patients at the local Providence College, and working at the flu clinics in many of the RI Shaw's Supermarkets during flu season. Outside of work, Jo-Ann is a proud grandmother, mother, and wife.
|
|
February Spotlight - Nick Dorich |
 |
In his fifth year as a pharmacy student at URI, it is certain that Nick Dorich spends the majority of his time studying. However, what is most remarkable about Nick is amidst his studying, he finds the time to be part of several professional organizations and gives the majority of his free time to helping others though these organizations. Nick is the 2009-2010 president of the American Pharmacists Association- Academy of Student Pharmacists (APhA-ASP). Nick has recently been named to the APhA communications standing committee for the 2010-2011 term and also plans on running for APhA national office in March.
While being APhA president, Nick has had the opportunity to give back to his community by being part of an education program that visits a homeless shelter in Providence and educates people on various health topics. This past April, he discussed the importance of diabetes awareness and management. In the winter months he focused on cold and flu treatment and prevention. Nick is also the 2009-2010 student representative of RIPA. Nick believes that being part of a professional organization such as RIPA allows himself and the student body to “see and hear what is currently happening on the council and in the state of RI concerning the pharmacy profession.” According to Nick, by being part of the association, he has gained more insight into various local and national current events including advancements in pharmacy-based |
immunizations and health care reform. Nick is currently involved in efforts to attain a pneumonia grant. He is hoping to involve the student body to create and distribute pamphlets and information as part of this grant.
While Nick keeps busy with his studies and volunteer work, he does manage to find some time for himself. Nick is an outdoor enthusiast and enjoys hiking. He is also an avid football fan, the Patriots being his favorite team. This past April, Nick met Patriots player Vince Wilfork while he took part in the Vince Wilfork Diabetes Fundraiser to help raise awareness and funding for diabetes research. Nick is also a Boy Scout troop leader and keeps very active with this organization. Nick is a member of Kappa Psi and Phi Lambda Sigma - Professional Leadership Society (PLS).
Patient interaction is what Nick enjoys most about pharmacy practice. Being able to impact change or impart understanding of a health condition or medication is really what matters most to Nick. He currently works at Rite Aid pharmacy in Narragansett, RI where he has the opportunity to counsel patients and answer their questions concerning their medications. When asked what area of pharmacy he will practice, Nick says he would like to stay involved with community pharmacy and/or long term care. Whichever area of pharmacy Nick decides to practice, it is certain he will remain committed to community involvement and continue to be involved in professional organizations throughout his pharmacy career. |
January Spotlight - Lynn Pezzullo |
 |
Lynn Pezzullo, a senior program administrator at Quality Partners of Rhode Island, spends her days focusing on improving the quality of health care in hospitals, nursing homes, pharmacies, physician offices, and home health care settings both in Rhode Island and across the nation. In her role, she partners with providers to understand current systems, identify opportunities for improvement, and then partner to implement those changes to enhance quality. One of the projects Lynn manages is focused in the physician office setting and aims to improve the care of patients with diabetes and kidney disease.
The project’s clinical goals include: early detection of kidney disease through annual microalbumin screening; slowing the progression of kidney disease through emphasis on prescribing an ACE inhibitor or ARB agent; and ensuring that an arteriovenous fistula is in place for hemodialysis in patients with end-stage renal disease. The project also promotes the utilization of health information technology (HIT) to support patient care and to improve outcomes.
Additionally, Lynn has a special interest in the Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH) – |
a team-based model of care led by a personal physician who provides continuous and coordinated care for patients to maximize health outcomes. Lynn had the opportunity to manage a PCMH project through its development and the first year of its pilot, which launched in October 2008. The goal of this project is to align performance standards and financial incentives among Rhode Island health insurers, purchasers, and providers in order to create a sustainable model of primary care, to improve the care of chronic conditions, and to promote better overall health outcomes for Rhode Islanders.
Although Lynn keeps quite busy at Quality Partners, she still finds time to serve on the Council of Administration and Continuing Education committee for RIPA. She stays active with the URI College of Pharmacy, and recently ended her second term representing the College on the URI Alumni Association Executive Board. In her free time, Lynn enjoys traveling, golf, cycling, snowmobiling, skiing and cooking. She also greatly values her time with family and friends.
As the demands for healthcare continue to increase due to numerous factors including an aging population and government health care reform, there will be increased need to focus on quality and outcomes. We can be confident that Lynn will remain at the forefront of this demand and that she will continue her dedication and commitment to this extremely important aspect of health care. |
| |
| |
 |
|
|
|
|
