Neil Hunter

Dr. Hunter is the System Director, Sterile Drug Compounding for Ochsner Health, encompassing oversight for forty-seven hospitals, and their associated oncology and non-oncology infusion centers. His practice expertise includes sterile compounding and health-system automation. His focus is to automate processes, in a system setting, which allow for a data driven approach to ensure medications are delivered safely, and in a timely manner. In the state of Louisiana, Dr. Hunter serves as the delegate for ASHP’s House of Delegates, and Chair of the Membership and Marketing Committee for the Louisiana Society of Health-System Pharmacists (LSHP). In this setting, he is an advocate for hospital pharmacists and is striving to increase Louisiana pharmacist participation in LSHP.

Facility:
Ochsner Health is the largest nonprofit academic health system in Louisiana, delivering care across multiple hospitals and clinics. A cornerstone of its pharmacy services is advanced sterile compounding, ensuring safe and effective preparation of medications for patients. Ochsner standardizes USP <797> and <800> practices to improve compliance and patient safety. These efforts not only strengthen regulatory readiness but also enhance efficiency and reliability in medication preparation across the system.

Current Responsibilities:
I currently serve as the System Director of Sterile Drug Compounding Operations at Ochsner Health. In this role, I oversee compounding practices across our enterprise, ensuring compliance with USP <797> and <800> standards, driving operational efficiency, and supporting safety and quality for patients. My practice focuses on sterile compounding strategy, process improvement, and regulatory readiness, with initiatives such as advanced medication preparation programs. I also contribute academically and professionally by teaching, mentoring, and precepting pharmacy learners and residents, helping to develop the next generation of pharmacy leaders.

Recent Significant Projects:
Recently, I led the development and implementation of our Oncology Advanced Medication Preparation (AMP) program at Ochsner Health. This initiative standardized workflows and enabled proactive preparation of chemotherapy infusions, which significantly improved infusion center throughput, reduced patient wait times, and enhanced safety. The project not only advanced patient care but also created measurable financial impact for the health system and served as a model of innovation in sterile compounding practice.

Advice for Someone New to a Specialty Area:
My advice to someone new to sterile compounding is to focus on building strong relationships with both pharmacy colleagues and interdisciplinary partners. Success in this specialty depends not only on technical skill, but also on trust, communication, and collaboration with nurses, physicians, and regulatory leaders. By listening, asking thoughtful questions, and being open to feedback, you can establish yourself as a reliable partner in patient care. These relationships will become the foundation for your growth, influence, and ability to make a lasting impact.

Involvement with ASHP:
I am actively involved with ASHP through participation in section and forum initiatives, educational programming, and networking opportunities. I regularly attend ASHP conferences including the Midyear Clinical Meeting and Pharmacy Futures to engage in continuing education.

Reason for ASHP involvement:
I joined the ASHP SCIG to stay connected to best practices in sterile compounding and to contribute to a national community focused on patient safety and compliance. With responsibility for multi-site sterile compounding operations, I’m focused on operationalizing USP <797>/<800> requirements in a way that is inspection-ready and sustainable. The SCIG is the best venue to learn from peers, share tools, and help drive standardization across health systems.

Value of ASHP for Peers or Colleagues:
I would describe ASHP as an invaluable resource that connects pharmacy professionals across the country and provides the tools we need to grow. For me, ASHP has offered education, networking, and advocacy that directly support both my daily practice and long-term career development.

Value of ASHP for the Profession:
I see ASHP as essential to advancing the pharmacy profession by setting standards, advocating nationally, and providing education that strengthens practitioners. Its greatest value is uniting pharmacists to improve patient care and shape the future of our field.