Brian Bell

Brian’s Story

Brian A. Bell, Pharm.D, received his Doctor of Pharmacy degree from Butler University College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences in 2015. Thereafter, he completed his PGY-1 residency in institutional practice with Deaconess Hospital in Evansville, IN. Currently, Dr. Bell staffs as a clinical operations pharmacist and pharmacy team lead at Indiana University Health Adult Academic Health Center in Indianapolis, IN where he has primarily worked in cardiovascular surgery for the last four years.

Overview of Facility/Health System

Indiana University (IU) Health Adult Academic Health Center (AAHC) partners with the IU School of Medicine to deliver comprehensive inpatient and outpatient services through a layered teaching model. Comprised of two hospital campuses totaling over 900 beds, it is located in the heart of downtown Indianapolis, IN and represents the largest patient population served for the 14 hospital health-system. As a level one trauma center, the AAHC serves the metro Indianapolis area and additionally provides destination care for transplant, cardiovascular surgery, oncology, pain management, among other specialty services.

Significant Projects

Dr. Bell engages in interdisciplinary collaboration for several quality improvement committees centered on patient care delivery and therapeutic management. Dr. Bell works on the Integrated Peripheral Vascular Surgery Process Improvement committee to assist in meeting goals related to discharge medications in patients with new cardiovascular disease. Furthermore, he resides on Butler University's College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences Experiential Continuous Quality Improvement (ECQI) committee that facilitates student learning and preceptor development through strategic APPE/IPPE rotation resource allocation. With his experience as a primary preceptor for IPPE students, Dr. Bell additionally facilitated the expansion of the student rotation program at the AAHC.

Initial Involvement in ASHP

Prior to 2020, my ASHP involvement was primarily active membership and resource utilization (e.g., attending Midyear, reviewing briefings/list serves, incorporating newly published guidance, etc.). I am excited and grateful to step into a more formal role with SICP Pharmacy Practice Experience Precepting (PPEP) Advisory Group in 2020. I look forward to meeting, working with, and learning from this group throughout the year.

Why did you become involved in ASHP?

After several years of local involvement, I was eager for opportunities to work with a larger forum of diverse people with diverse experiences. ASHP has a very strong and active membership that have always been at the front lines of innovation. I have always been drawn to progression and believe it’s my professional obligation to creatively contribute where I can.

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

ASHP is a resource for health-system pharmacists to come together and share ideas. It provides a plethora of networking opportunities, educational seminars, clinical updates and perpetuates the benefits of pharmacy presence by expanding the scope of the pharmacy profession through political involvement.

What kind of advice would you provide for someone new to your specialty area?

 The key to both specialty area acclimation and continued success is to always work together with your team. Partnered minds functioning cohesively puts the patient in primary focus to allow for streamlined care and better outcomes. There is power in gaining insight from a variety of specialties because it offers perspective and generates more thoughtful ideas. Having a consistent emphasis on putting patients’ needs first will always be the most rewarding experience for the team and, more importantly, for the patients and their loved ones.

What is the value of ASHP for the profession?

ASHP sets the table for collaboration and hot topic discussion for health-system pharmacy. It encompasses the entire professional progression from learner (students and residents) to established practitioners and the many facets of leadership and patient care in between. It is hub for resources and practice integration. ASHP both recognizes and promotes where the profession wants to go and how we all might be able to get there.