In this milestone 50th episode of DISRxUPT, host Justin Cole sits down with Dr. Michael Hogue, CEO and Executive Vice President of the American Pharmacists Association (APhA), for an in-depth conversation about the future of pharmacy practice. As the 15th CEO of APhA, Dr. Hogue shares his bold vision for transforming how pharmacists deliver patient care and achieve recognition as essential healthcare providers.

Vision for Pharmacy's Future

• Ensuring consumer access to pharmacist care services regardless of location
• Moving beyond traditional dispensing roles to focus on patient outcomes
• The critical need for pharmacists to take personal responsibility for medication therapy outcomes

Strategic Priorities & Policy Changes

• Advocating for payment parity between pharmacists and other healthcare providers
• Implementing standard of care practice models across all 50 states
• Working with insurance companies to onboard pharmacists as reimbursed providers
• Moving away from restrictive "can do/can't do" pharmacy practice acts

Addressing Healthcare Challenges

• Tackling the growing pharmacy desert crisis affecting communities nationwide
• Supporting overwhelmed community pharmacists facing unprecedented volume pressures
• Leveraging technology and automation to improve efficiency and safety

Innovation & Technology

• Embracing AI for predictive analytics and patient prioritization
• Implementing tech-check-tech models to free pharmacists for clinical care
• Balancing technological advancement with maintaining the human element of patient care

Professional Unity & Collaboration

• Working to unify pharmacy's many voices into a single, powerful advocacy force
• Collaborating across all national pharmacy organizations
• Examples of successful interprofessional care models already in practice

Notable Quotes

"For every $1 we're spending on medicine, we're spending a dollar and 55¢ on resolving medication-related problems. That's almost $600 million a year in the United States getting spent on medication-related problems. Somebody has to solve those problems."

"We've got to become accountable for the outcomes of our patients, the medication outcomes of our patients... Not just simply putting pills in a bottle, but saying this is my patient, and the outcomes of this patient are my responsibility."

Advice for Future Pharmacists

• Take pride in being a doctor of pharmacy, regardless of practice setting
• Consider opportunities in healthcare policy, including positions on Capitol Hill
• Stay engaged with professional organizations throughout your career
• Embrace technology while focusing on the clinical expertise that makes pharmacists unique

Looking Ahead

Dr. Hogue predicts that within ten years, pharmacists will routinely receive payment for care services, with community pharmacy revenue shifting from prescription dispensing to clinical care. He envisions a future where pharmacists are embedded in healthcare teams across all settings, recognized and compensated for their expertise in optimizing medication therapy outcomes.

About the Guest: Dr. Michael Hogue is CEO and Executive Vice President of the American Pharmacists Association and a nationally recognized leader with over 25 years of experience in community pharmacy, academia, and health policy. He has been instrumental in expanding pharmacist-administered immunizations and served as a key advisor during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Host: Justin Cole, Cedarville University Center for Pharmacy Innovation

Episode Length: 47 minutes
Release Date: August 15, 2025
Episode Number: 50

Subscribe to DISRxUPT wherever you get your podcasts and visit cedarville.edu/pharmacy for more information about innovation in pharmacy education and practice.

🎙️ Episode 49: The Purpose-Driven Pharmacist | Katrina Azer

In this inspiring episode of DISRxUPT, host Dr. Justin Cole sits down with Katrina Azer—a pharmacist, entrepreneur, educator, and global thought leader in precision medicine. Joining us from New Zealand, Katrina shares her remarkable journey from community pharmacy burnout to founding the Australasian Precision Medicine Academy and becoming a leading voice in pharmacogenomics.

💡 What You'll Learn in This Episode:

• How Katrina’s personal health crisis sparked her passion for pharmacogenomics
• The power of curiosity and faith in shaping a nontraditional pharmacy career
• Why pharmacists must lead the charge in precision medicine and digital health
• The importance of purpose-driven work and aligning your career with your calling
• How Katrina integrates her Christian faith into her professional identity and content
• Her vision for the future of pharmacy in the age of AI and digital transformation
• A sneak peek into her upcoming book for pharmacists “called to more”

Katrina’s story is a powerful reminder that pharmacists are more than their white coats—they are educators, innovators, and purpose-driven leaders. Whether you're a student, practicing pharmacist, or healthcare professional, this episode will challenge and encourage you to think bigger about your role in healthcare.

🔗 Connect with Katrina Azer:

• Website: katrinaazer.com
• LinkedIn: Katrina Azer on LinkedIn

📢 Subscribe & Share: If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and share DISRxUPT with your network. Let’s continue to disrupt pharmacy for good!

Episode 48 – The Pharmacist Coach: Christina Fontana

Guest: Dr. Christina Fontana
Host: Dr. Justin Cole
Presented by: Cedarville University Center for Pharmacy Innovation

🎧 Episode Summary:

In this inspiring episode of DISRxUPT, Dr. Justin Cole sits down with Dr. Christina Fontana—licensed pharmacist, author, and transformational coach—known widely as The Pharmacist Coach. Christina shares her deeply personal and professional journey from growing up in her father’s Long Island pharmacy to founding a thriving coaching business that integrates holistic health, faith, and entrepreneurship.

Listeners will hear how Christina’s early experiences, personal challenges, and unwavering faith shaped her mission to help others heal and thrive. She opens up about pivotal moments in her life, including overcoming trauma, embracing uncertainty, and building a business rooted in service and spiritual purpose.

💡 Key Topics Covered:

• Christina’s entrepreneurial roots and early pharmacy influences
• Navigating personal trauma and transformation through faith
• Transitioning from traditional pharmacy to holistic coaching
• Building a sustainable business with energy and strategy
• The power of mentorship, mindset, and “needle movers”
• Faith as the foundation for personal and professional growth
• Success stories from Christina’s clients and her vision for the future
• Her TED Talk aspirations and the message behind “The Prescription for Thriving After Trauma”

🔗 Resources & Links:

• Website: pharmacistcoach.com
• Instagram: @thepharmacistcoach
• Facebook Group: Monetize Your Magic
• YouTube: Christina Fontana on YouTube

🙌 Connect with Us: If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with others in your network. For more information about the Cedarville University Center for Pharmacy Innovation, visit cedarville.edu/pharmacyinnovation.