DEBBIE L. DUCKWORTH, PharmD, BS, CSP ([email protected]) is the Senior Director of Specialty Pharmacy and Infusion Services (UKSPIS) for UK HealthCare (UKHC) at the University of Kentucky. Her responsibilities include the development of current and future pharmacy strategies to generate operational revenue for the health system and provide best practice patient care. Additionally, she oversees the operational, administrative, and clinical services, leads pharmacy contracting with payers and manufacturers, maintains 7 accreditations/distinctions, and consults and advocates for pharmacy advancement through legislative efforts. She precepts all levels of learners including PGY1 and 2 residents in specialty pharmacy leadership and pharmacy contracting. Duckworth also contributes to the outcomes, value, and research programming highlighting the specialty pharmacy practice model, and has several recent publications. The newest UKSPIS initiatives include expansion in population health programs for the Commonwealth, and assisting smaller health systems across Kentucky to develop their retail and specialty pharmacy practices. Prior to joining her alma mater, her experience included being the owner/operator of an accredited independent retail pharmacy and a DME company for twenty years.
Duckworth has been involved with ASHP since the Section of Specialty Pharmacy Practitioners was established, serving on the Business Development SAG for three years. She serves as Vice Chair currently and has participated on the Committee on Nominations, the Specialty Pharmacy Survey Development Committee, and the Specialty Pharmacy Future Directions Summit. In her state, she is a member of the Kentucky Society of Health System Pharmacists, the Kentucky HepTAC- Hepatitis Elimination Planning Committee, and the Bluegrass Community and Technical College Pharmacy Advisory Board.
Since the inaugural year of the SSPP, I’ve been blessed to serve with colleagues, who are among the most industrious and innovative across the country, to advance the continually evolving and best practice care model of specialty pharmacy. ASHP serves to bring together the “iron that sharpens iron,” to help equip and mobilize the grassroots efforts and focus the national attention on the issues facing specialty pharmacy. The spirit of collaboration across the Section has produced a strong body of work by the SAGs over the three years. As Director-at-Large, I would advocate for PBM reform, 340B anti-discrimination and protections, standardizing and defining disease state metrics for the industry, creating greater access to LDDs, and promoting the advancement of the pharmacy workforce. I would encourage the development of a mentor/mentee program for members, a SAG around Operations, and networking opportunities for non-traditional staff.
With my strong belief in the specialty pharmacy care model, I have worked to advance and provide that level of care to any patient on any drug therapy seeing any provider in our UKHC clinics through an initiative we call “Total Care”. Our Section will focus on this topic at the Summer Meeting where together we can again make a positive impact on behalf of our patients.
I am both honored and grateful for the opportunity to serve as Director-at-Large and am eager to continue promoting the value of the health-system specialty pharmacy and providing best practice care to our patients.