Ryan Mills

His Story

Dr. Mills received his doctorate of pharmacy degree (Pharm.D.) from the West Virginia University School of Pharmacy in 2007. He is also a board-certified pharmacotherapy specialist (BCPS). Dr. Mills went on to earn a dual master of business administration and master of healthcare administration (MBA-MHA) from Pfeiffer University and holds a certificate from the Pharmacy Leadership Academy of the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). In the fall of 2019, he became a Certified Specialty Pharmacist exam (CSP™).

Facility

Dr. Mills oversee operations at Novant Health Kernersville Medical Center and Novant Health Clemmons Medical Center and is responsible for the development and implementation of comprehensive pharmacy services such as sterile and non-sterile compounding, surgical services, diversion and prevention, technology and automation, policies and procedures, and reviewing the financial budget for both departments. He oversees a team of dedicated healthcare professionals at both the Novant Health Kernersville Medical Center and the Novant Health Clemmons Medical Center. His daily responsibilities range from the management and coordination of clinical services to the oversight of human resources, revenue integrity, productivity, TJC readiness, and pharmacy budgets.

Recent Significant Projects

• Led system-wide collaboration for EHR Optimization Call (Dimensions Tracker Call)
• Operational leader for system-wide standardization of Kit and Tray Management
• Leads system-wide Administrative Journal Club with pharmacy leaders
• ASHP 2019 Midyear Clinical Meeting, (Management Case Study) “Professionalizing the Pharmacy Technician Workforce”

Initial Involvement in ASHP

• Section of Pharmacy Practice Leaders’ Advisory Group (SAG) on Strategy and Industry Disrupters, 2019-2020
• North Carolina Association of Pharmacists (NCAP) Health-System Academy (Chair), 2018- Present
• Section of Inpatient Care Practitioners’ Advisory Group (SAG) on Advancing Pharmacy Practice with Technicians, 2018–2019

Why did you become involved in ASHP? 

 ASHP provided me with multiple opportunities and platforms to get connected with pharmacy leaders across the world. Some of the opportunities I found useful are their community posts and blogs and Section Advisory Groups.

Advice for Someone New to Specialty Area

"Figure out your passion and put it to work. I would recommend crafting a purpose of impact statement on why you are a pharmacist (why you wake up every day) and pursue what you love. For me, it centers around health equity and making a significant difference."

My purpose: Total Leadership. Which, to me, means the pursuit of excellence as a leader in all four domains of my life -- work, family, community, and myself.

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

ASHP provides many great opportunities for pharmacists to become involved, whether it is within ASHP Connect, Section Advisory Groups, or becoming published in AJHP. The Section Advisory Groups are a great way to network and learn from other thought leaders throughout the continuum of care about best practices, and how to become a change agent.

What is the value of ASHP for the profession?

I am going to touch on the value of the Pharmacy Leadership Academy of the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP), which I completed in 2017. The program is similar to many MHA programs but is pharmacy specific instead of focused on the overall health system. ASHP’s Pharmacy Leadership Academy consists of seven courses led by experienced faculty. The goal is to improve patient care throughout the continuum, the program aims to accomplish this by enhancing participants’ leadership skills through courses that involve engagement with both faculty and fellow participants. The courses touch on many topics relevant to pharmacy professionals and include in-class presentations and case studies, as well as self-learning components.

As a pharmacy leader, the Pharmacy Forecast has been instrumental in advancing pharmacy practice. The Pharmacy Forecast provides strategic direction for pharmacy leaders of emerging trends, changes in the practice of pharmacy, and the health of patients in health systems.