Sunny Bhakta

His Story

Dr. Bhakta is a 2016 Pharm.D. graduate from the University of Houston College of Pharmacy. Dr. Bhakta pursued post-graduate training with The Houston Program where he completed the Health System Pharmacy Administration and Leadership Residency with Houston Methodist Hospital and his M.S. in Pharmacy Administration in 2018. Dr. Bhakta received his BCPS certification in 2017. Following residency training, Dr. Bhakta served as the Pharmacy Administrative Specialist over Operations, Education, and Training for the flagship academic medical center of Houston Methodist, an 8 hospital system.

In his current role as Pharmacy Operations Manager he oversees sterile compounding, inpatient central pharmacy operations, strategic insourcing/repackaging, and the systemwide centralized pharmacy order review program, alongside serving as Chair for local and system level interdisciplinary committees.

Dr. Bhakta's current interest areas are Acute Care Operations, Leadership Development, Pharmacy Technician Advancement, Pharmacy Practice and Distribution Models Innovation, Productivity and Monitoring, Insourcing/Consolidated Services, and Safety within the Medication Use Process.

Dr. Bhakta actively precepts IPPE, APPE, and PGY1&2 residents as part of the portfolio of training programs Houston Methodist offers.

Facility

Houston Methodist comprises a leading academic medical center in the Texas Medical Center and seven community hospitals serving the Greater Houston area. Houston Methodist Hospital, the system's flagship, is consistently listed among U.S. News & World Report's best hospitals, and we extend that same level of quality care across the system. Other available centers include Houston Methodist Emergency Care Centers, the Houston Methodist Imaging Center, the Houston Methodist Breast Care Center and the Houston Methodist Outpatient Center.

Houston Methodist by the Numbers:
8 hospitals
1.5 million patient encounters
1.3 million outpatient visits
126,038 admissions
$190 million research & education investment
32,739 learners

Recent Significant Projects

Throughout his professional career, Dr. Bhakta has been involved in numerous hospital pharmacy technology implementations and optimizations so he would probably say pharmacy technology & operations is his biggest strength. Dr. Bhakta led the implementation of IV robotics for hazardous drug compounding in 2016, the effort and impact of which was published in AJHP. Dr. Bhakta led the system-wide development of the System Medication Related Clinical Decision Support Committee, which governs the optimization and outcome monitoring of CDS alerts within the EHR. Dr. Bhakta recently led a multi-hospital implementation of EHR integrated mobile dispense tracking technology that offers visibility, transparency on throughput, and reduces redispense workload for the system. Dr. Bhakta is currently implementing innovative automation in repackaging oral solids/liquid blisters, implementation of barcode medication preparation (BCMP) in oral liquid dose preparation, as well as enhancing IV workflow technology and safety in operations. He also really enjoys the ability of the newer technology systems to continue to provide improved data analytics that can be used to make health systems safer for patients. Dr. Bhakta has published articles in AJHP, and has co-authored and presented several ASHP Management Case Studies focusing on operations improvement and safety.

Initial Involvement in ASHP

Dr. Bhakta currently is a member of the Section of Pharmacy Practice Leaders Advisory Group. He currently offers his support on projects aimed at advocating for expansion of pharmacy services and roles.

Why did you become involved in ASHP? 

Dr. Bhakta first became involved in ASHP at the student level, he served in local and state affiliate organizations. He served as Vice President of SSHP at the University of Houston in 2015, he was a member of the Student Section Executive Committee that same year for Texas Society of Health System Pharmacists (TSHP). Dr. Bhakta became involved in ASHP Sections since 2016, he served the Section of Pharmacy Practice Managers (now Section of Pharmacy Practice Leaders) in a variety of capacities, where he offered his expertise and scope on workgroups and projects. Dr. Bhakta co-authored a white paper of revenue cycle management and has worked on numerous surveys throughout his time within various Section advisory groups such as Quality and Compliance, Business of Pharmacy, and Frontline Leaders.

Advice for Someone New to Specialty Area 

For learners and colleagues looking to advance their knowledge and impact on patient care through advancing pharmacy operations, I would highly recommend pursuing available PGY1/PGY2 Residency in Health-System Pharmacy Administration combined program with a MS in Pharmacy Leadership and Administration post-graduate training. These programs develop pharmacy leaders by providing the administrative and clinical skills necessary to lead a large health-system pharmacy or other healthcare organization in advancing patient care. Many programs combine both a didactic and practical learning environment to train the pharmacy profession's future leaders. I would also recommend taking advantage of resources established by ASHP such as the Pharmacy Leadership Academy (PLA) to support growth of leadership skills. 

How would you explain the value of ASHP to a friend or colleague?

ASHP provides many wonderful opportunities for pharmacy professionals at all levels of practice and training to become involved, whether it is within ASHP Connect, Section Advisory Groups, or becoming published in AJHP. The Section Advisory Groups are a great way to network and learn from other thought leaders throughout the continuum of care about best practices, and how to advocate for your passion.

What is the value of ASHP for the profession?

ASHP offers collective voice for health-system pharmacy, which is much needed as we navigate the complexities and everchanging climate for the provision of healthcare in our country. ASHP offers solutions based on whether you want to network with colleagues in your area of practice, expand your knowledge base by attending world renowned meetings or online continuing education events, or support the future of your profession by volunteering in ASHP committees and advocacy initiatives.