By Denise Beasley, P4
This summer, I have had the tremendous privilege of completing a 12-week administrative rotation at Central City Concern’s Old Town Clinic, a Federally Qualified Health Center in Portland. As a dual degree PharmD/MBA student, I have had the opportunity to approach the concept of the medical home model from a new perspective. It has been nothing short of an epiphany to comprehend how a complex fiscal web will ultimately integrate pharmacy into Coordinated Care Organizations. The college has done a fantastic job of preparing me for this moment by encouraging me to stay involved, pursue as many leadership roles as possible, and think creatively for our profession. Now I am facing the capstone of those efforts by spending time at CCC, learning how to think lean and think big simultaneously. The rotation has provided opportunities for me to investigate the multifaceted nature of our collective aims in healthcare reform, and has helped me realize the role I can play in the process. By solving financial riddles with the team at CCC, I am helping to find funding mechanisms for the work done by fellow pharmacists on the front line. Pharmacy has a real opportunity to blossom into a clinically based, outcomes-driven profession within the CCO model; however, the roadmap to reach the summit will inevitably involve twists and turns along the way. This summer has shown me I am more than up to the challenge; I am equally capable of wielding a sword or carrying a torch as we climb that mountain. I am grateful to CCC and the college for this unique opportunity, and will continue to strive for a dynamic, sustainable profession that makes a real difference in the community.