Kathryn R. Brown, Pharm D MHA (kathryn.r.brown@kp.org) is the SVP and Chief Operating Officer for National Pharmacy at Kaiser Permanente, a national health system and integrated health plan, serving over 12.5M members in 10 states. Brown provides executive leadership to support the delivery of pharmaceutical care across 39 hospitals and over 500 clinics. She also holds an appointment as Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Washington.
Brown earned her BPharm from Washington State University and her PharmD and MHA from University of Washington. She completed a combined PGY1/PGY2 ASHP residency at Group Health Cooperative and advanced executive training at Boston University and Harvard University.
Brown has been active in ASHP at both national and state levels, most recently serving on the inaugural Section of Digital and Telehealth Practitioners. Brown served on the 2023-2024 Commission on Goals and on the Pharmacy Forecast survey panel. She was previously a WA State delegate, ASHP House of Delegates.
Brown has facilitated numerous projects related to healthcare technology, automation and medication use and currently is chair of the pharmacy digital experience team and co-chair of the National Medication Committee at Kaiser Permanente. Brown was a recipient (on behalf of KP) of the 2019 ASHP CEO award for courageous service for efforts during the California wildfires. Brown has also contributed to multiple committees and networking sections. She will be a presenter/facilitator at the 2025 summer meeting and faculty for the ASHP Leadership Conference in 2025.
It is truly an inspiring time to be in healthcare! As a passionate advocate for our profession, I am thrilled to collaborate with ASHP and our talented pharmacy community to advance patient care through digital and telehealth innovations. And while innovation is important, it is the integration of technology to make healthcare work better that is most essential, and in fact, a cornerstone of my lifelong vision for pharmacy.
The evolving healthcare landscape presents extraordinary challenges. Key trends such as high costs, changing demographics, and demands for better efficiency, access, and outcomes are driving innovation. By leveraging technology, we extend the expertise of pharmacists, integrating advanced decision models, discovering new sources of value, and ensuring quality, safety, affordability, and enhanced patient experiences. We have an unprecedented opportunity to make a profound impact on what matters most to patients, our communities, and our profession!
As part of the inaugural committee for the past 18 months, we have been proactive in creating the mission, vision, strategic plan, and practical deliverables to support practitioners across the continuum. Newly formed working groups have begun working on implementation strategies, practitioner competencies, training materials, and supporting AI advancements.
The creation of this section provides us with a powerful platform to better connect people to technology. It is an honor to be nominated to serve this exceptional pharmacy community, and I am eager to continue what we have started. I invite you to join me in advancing our profession at this pivotal moment in healthcare.