Randy Steers

His Story

Dr. Steers received his Doctor of Pharmacy degree from Southwestern Oklahoma State University in 2008. Following graduation, Dr. Steers completed a PGY1 residency at the Choctaw Nation Health Care Center in Talihina, Oklahoma. He received his Master of Science in Heath Care Administration degree from Oklahoma State University in 2016. Dr. Steers is board certified in pharmacotherapy.

Dr. Steers is a member of the Section of Inpatient Care Practitioners Section Advisory Group on Small and Rural Hospitals (SAG) and serves as a residency preceptor for Choctaw Nation Health Care Center’s ASHP- accredited PGY1 pharmacy practice residency.

Overview of Facility/Health System

The Choctaw Nation Health Center is a rural hospital governed and owned by the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma. In 1999, the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma was the first tribe to build its own hospital using its own funding. The Choctaw Nation Health Care Center, located in Talihina, Oklahoma, is a 140,000-square foot health facility with 44 hospital beds for inpatient care and 52 outpatient exam rooms. The health care center serves as the hub of health care services that cover 10 1/2 counties in southeastern Oklahoma. In addition to hospital services, the facility also houses dental, laboratory, X-ray, CT and MRI Scanning, mammography, ultrasound, pharmacy, primary medical care, surgical, emergent care, physical and respiratory therapy, women's health, pediatrics, podiatry, telemedicine, ophthalmology, pulmonology, rheumatology, gastroenterology, and transportation. The campus includes a diabetic wellness center, behavioral health center, and women's and men's substance abuse facilities. The Choctaw Nation Health Services provide over 540,000 outpatient visits annually.

Significant Projects

Dr. Steers serves on the United States Public Health Service National Clinical Pharmacy Specialist Committee. The purpose of the committee is to establish a national system to recognize expanded scopes of clinical pharmacy specialist-provided services in an effort to promote enhanced patient outcomes for all areas of governmental agencies (i.e., Indian Health Services (Federal, Tribal, Urban), Federal Bureau of Prisons, United States Coast Guard, and the U.S Immigration and Custom Enforcement)) where direct patient care is provided. Locally, Dr. Steers has been involved with the development and implementation of an antibiotic stewardship program, outpatient naloxone initiative, and the pharmacy implementation of bedside medication barcoding technology. 

Initial Involvement in ASHP

"I decided to become involved with the Small and Rural Hospitals SAG because it was a unique opportunity to get connected with and help those that are practicing in the small and rural hospital setting. Working in a rural hospital is great; however, at times resources are strained and compliance with new regulations seems unattainable. I wanted to be a part of a group that sought out ways to provide solutions and clarity for meeting those challenges faced by rural hospital practitioners.”

Advice for Someone New to Your Specialty Area

"Build Relationships! Working in a small hospital has many advantages and, in my opinion, the greatest advantage of all is being able to get to know those around you. Get to know your pharmacy staff, nurses, providers, dieticians, housekeepers, maintenance workers, IT staff, and administrators. Secondly, be willing to listen to those with whom you've developed relationships. I have learned a great deal from these individuals in both work and life issues."

Value of ASHP

"ASHP is a strong voice for pharmacists and an organization that works diligently to advance the profession of pharmacy, so that we can practice at the top of our license. ASHP is a wonderful place to find high-quality educational resources. I feel that ASHP fosters collaboration among peers to allow the dissemination of knowledge to ASHP members from across the country.