Brook Smith DesRivieres

Brook’s Story

Dr. DesRivieres received her Doctor of Pharmacy from the University of Michigan, followed by a Master’s of Science in Health-System Pharmacy Administration from The Ohio State University in conjunction with a 24-month PGY1 ASHP-accredited residency from Grant Medical Center (OhioHealth).

Dr. DesRivieres is currently a member of the Section of Pharmacy Practice Managers’ Educational Steering Committee, and most recently served as Chair and Vice Chair for the Section Advisory Group on Patient Care Quality. She also volunteers as a Forecast Panelist, AHJP Peer Reviewer, and CV Reviewer.

Facility

Dr. DesRivieres is Regional Director of Pharmacy for Ascension in the Milwaukee, Wisconsin area, which is comprised of Columbia St. Mary’s and Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare, Inc health systems.

Columbia St. Mary’s – Milwaukee campus includes the Main Hospital, Women’s Hospital, Sacred Heart Rehabilitation Institute, Cancer Center, Regional Burn Center and over 60 clinics. Columbia St. Mary’s – Ozaukee located in Mequon, serves those living in Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Sheboygan and Washington communities.

Affectionately known as “The Baby Hospital,” Wheaton Franciscan - St. Joseph Campus is a community teaching hospital in Milwaukee, Wisconsin with extensive outpatient services, a bustling emergency department and nationally-awarded maternity and critical care services. Ascension Wisconsin’s Pharmacy Residency Program is headquartered there, with training for the PGY2 in Health-System Pharmacy Administration being multi-site.

Significant Projects

Dr. DesRivieres has the honor of working with 4 Regional Directors of Pharmacy in Ascension Wisconsin working to align policies, procedures, and practice to integrate 4 health-systems into common alignment. Recent projects involve implementing a pharmacy structure to include Lead Pharmacists and Lead Technicians with regional responsibilities, preparing for USP <800>; compliance, and standardizing residency program policies across Ascension nationally.

Advice for Someone New to Your Specialty Area

"I come back to this quote from Randy Pausch (1960-2005) often, “Experience is what you get when you didn’t get what you wanted.” The tasks you face today will prepare you well for the future. Resilence is one of the single most import traits I’ve found in successful health-system pharmacy leaders."

Involvement in ASHP

"I first saw the value in the CE and networking at my first Midyear Clinical Meeting as a student. From there, I read and discussed the ASHP National Survey of Pharmacy Practice in Hospital Settings during my Masters program. My next ASHP experience at PPS helped me secure my first position after residency. I recall utilizing the ASHP Guidelines on Handling Hazardous Drugs as a new manager and now I utilize the ASHP Residency Accreditation standards regularly as a program director. ASHP has been a valuable resource every step in my career.”

ASHP’s Value to Members

"ASHP is a great place to start for any project, assignment, or expansion proposal. There is either a position paper, toolkit, or Connect thread that can help you on your journey."

"ASHP brings value on so many levels...from networking to cutting-edge continuing education to advocacy, ASHP is a collective voice for health-system pharmacists across the continuum of care. When I see that ASHP is sponsoring a webinar series, meeting, or other continuing education, I know it will be of high quality and impact to our profession and I make a point to attend."