Michael Palone

Palone is a global pharmacy leader for Swisslog Healthcare, leading the pharmacy automation product team. He received his BS in pharmacy from the State University of New York at Buffalo and his Master of Public Health from the University of Rochester (NY). After practicing in a variety of hospital practice roles, he focused on informatics and automation at the University of Rochester Medical Center. Palone transitioned to industry, working in software for GE Healthcare before making his way to Swisslog Healthcare in 2015. He has precepted students and been active on various ASHP committees. Palone has been recognized as a Fellow, Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society.

Current Responsibilities:
Palone is in an unusual role as a pharmacist, leading the global product management team for pharmacy automation, defining solutions and products for all market regions.

Recent Professional Practice:
Being active professionally has been essential to his career path, and staying close to practice concerns is important to him. He has expanded his APPE program in recent years to offer a unique industry experience to students.

Advice for Someone New to a Specialty Area:
The best advice I can offer to those interested in technology is to first understand the clinical or operational workflows from a practice perspective. Technologies are tools to advance practice, and nothing is more valuable than understanding the user's needs from hands-on experience.

Value of ASHP for Peers or Colleagues:
I have found that ASHP has helped me stay grounded and connected to professional practice, regardless of the role or company I have been working with. It has been a constant for me throughout my career.