Rhiannon Marselli

Her Story
Rhiannon Marselli, PharmD, BCCCP, is the Medication Safety Officer and PGY1 Pharmacy Residency Program Director at Frederick Health Hospital. Dr. Marselli earned her Doctor of Pharmacy from Notre Dame of Maryland University in Baltimore, MD. She then went on to complete her PGY1 at Meritus Medical Center in Hagerstown, MD. After completing her PGY1, Dr. Marselli took the position of Emergency Medicine Clinical Pharmacy Specialist at Frederick Health Hospital. It was during this time she earned her Board Certification in Critical Care. Over the past five years, she has been heavily involved in precepting pharmacy residents and students. She also has a passion for teaching and routinely gives pharmacology lectures to physician assistant and nursing students at local college programs. In early 2023, Dr. Marselli acquired her current leadership position. As Medication Safety Officer, Dr. Marselli co-chairs the Medication Management and Opioid Stewardship committees. Given her past experience in the field she also oversees all emergency department pharmacy services. As residency program director she is responsible for preceptor and resident development.

Overview of Facility/Health System
Frederick Health Hospital is a 257 bed, community hospital serving Frederick County since 1902. The Frederick Health medical system has over 25 locations and the largest non-government employer in the county. Frederick Health’s emergency room is the third busiest in Maryland with over 65,000 patient visits per year. Frederick Health mission is “to positively impact the well-being of every individual in our community” and this is done through nationally recognized, award-winning care. Frederick Health’s Pharmacy enterprise supports the health system with both inpatient and outpatient pharmacy services. The Frederick Health Pharmacy provides bedside delivery of medications upon discharge and is the primary supplier of prescription medications to numerous service lines including Frederick Health Hospice. Frederick Health’s ambulatory care pharmacist also supports the fully EHR integrated Precision Medicine & Genetic testing program.

Significant Projects
Dr. Marselli has recently been involved in numerous interdisciplinary projects including improving compliance with utilizing PRN pain medications within their ordered pain scale and improving inconsistencies in diabetes care for admitted patients.

Initial Involvement in ASHP
I have been a member of ASHP since pharmacy school where I served as a board member of our local student SSHP chapter. I am currently a member of the Section of Inpatient Care Practitioners Educational Steering Committee. I am actively becoming more involved by serving as a major project leader for our workgroup.

Why did you become involved in ASHP?
I became involved in ASHP as a student to explore the world of health system pharmacy as a career. While participating in my student chapter, I learned valuable teamwork and time management skills.

How would you explain the value of ASHP to a friend or colleague?
I remain a member of ASHP and encourage colleagues to join ASHP for the vast network of knowledge and resources it provides. It connects professionals from so many different backgrounds to provide advice and different perspectives on real problems that the pharmacy profession faces.

What kind of advice would you provide for someone new to your specialty area?
I am relatively new to my specialty area so my biggest piece of advice is to keep an open mind. Medication safety requires being open to trying new things, engaging in other’s perspectives, or learning new skills. I believe open mindedness can foster natural continuous professional development.

What is the value of ASHP for the profession?
ASHP advocates to further the scope of the pharmacist, their education, and their roles in the healthcare system. ASHP continues to set the standard for pharmacy resident education and provides opportunity for current practitioner professional development.