Drug Store News assembles new editorial advisory board with retail pharmacy leaders
Drug Store News, a trusted source of news, knowledge and networking for the retail pharmacy industry, has assembled its first editorial advisory board made up of executives from leading retailers, suppliers and associations.
“DSN appreciates the knowledge and boots-on-the-ground insights that our board members — with a combined 250 years of industry experience — share with us so we can deliver a product that helps retailers and suppliers do their jobs better,” John Kenlon, senior vice president and publisher of Drug Store News said.
Designed as a way to help guide the brand’s mission to be a trusted source for the industry, the new board with its eight members will offer insights, discuss hot topics, critique brand offerings and propose coverage topics to help the brand serve the retail pharmacy community.
Here are the members of the board for 2022 through 2024.
John O. Beckner, R.Ph.
Senior director, strategic initiatives, National Community Pharmacists Association
Alexandria, Va.
John O. Beckner is senior director of strategic initiatives at the National Community Pharmacists Association, where he helps independent community pharmacies develop diversified revenue streams and maximize patient care activities. He is a staunch supporter of innovative community pharmacy practice, especially with respect to immunizations. During his tenure as director of pharmacy and health services at Ukrop’s Super Markets, the company received numerous awards for excellence in immunizations, including the Immunization Champion and Pinnacle Awards from APhA. John is a member of the Virginia Pharmacists Association, of which he served as president from 1996 to 1997. He received the 2014 APhA-APPM Distinguished Achievement Award in pharmacy management and the 2015 Bowl of Hygeia Award for outstanding community service, sponsored by APhA and NASPA.
Becky Dant, PharmD, BCACP
AGMM professional services, Costco Wholesale Pharmacy
Issaquah, Wash.
Becky Dant has been in retail pharmacy for 15 years. Her core responsibilities include developing and expanding clinical pharmacy programs for community pharmacy and overseeing pharmacy quality initiatives. She completed an acute care residency at Stanford Hospital and is board certified in ambulatory care pharmacy. She is grateful for her opportunities to work in several different practice settings (hospital, managed care and retail) throughout her career.
J. Jeremy Faulks, PharmD
Vice president, pharmacy operations, Thrifty White Pharmacy
Plymouth, Minn.
Jeremy Faulks is a pharmacy leadership professional with 15 years of experience driving strategy and operations for community and specialty pharmacy organizations. He currently leads multiple divisions at Thrifty White Pharmacy, including specialty pharmacy, clinical services, procurement and new business development. He is passionate about building and enhancing Thrifty White’s specialty pharmacy offerings, as well as creating similar clinical support program offerings for nonspecialty disease states. Prior to joining Thrifty White, Jeremy was senior manager of specialty pharmacy at Target, where he managed all aspects of Target’s specialty pharmacy program, including operations, strategic planning and team development.
Jeremy obtained his doctor of pharmacy from the University of Wisconsin, where he graduated with a focus on business management, and is currently a licensed pharmacist in Minnesota and North Dakota.
Doug M. Long
Vice president, industry relations, IQVIA
Durham, N.C.
Doug Long is vice president of industry relations at IQVIA (formerly QuintilesIMS), one of the world’s largest pharmaceutical information companies. Doug has been with IQVIA since 1989. His fundamental task is to help secure data for all existing and new databases supported by IQVIA, manage supplier, manufacturer and association relationships, and develop information for data partners. As a direct consequence of his involvement in these areas, Doug has considerable experience with, and a unique perspective on, the changing U.S. and global healthcare marketplace and pharmaceutical distribution.
Nancy Lyons, BSPharm, MBA, CDCES
Vice president, chief pharmacy officer, pharmaceutical solutions and services, Health Mart Pharmacy
Irving, Texas
Nancy Lyons serves as vice president and chief pharmacy officer for Health Mart, the nation’s fastest-growing independent pharmacy franchise with nearly 5,000 locally owned community pharmacies across all 50 states. Responsible for leading and executing Health Mart’s clinical direction, Nancy works collaboratively with multiple organizations to develop business plans and deliver opportunities to expand sustainable clinical services and opportunities for community pharmacists and technicians to work at the top of their licenses and credentials. Most recently, Nancy led the development, implementation and execution of Health Mart’s participation in COVID-19 test collection and the Federal Retail Pharmacy Program for COVID-19 vaccination.
Nancy is a licensed pharmacist, with a bachelor’s degree in pharmacy from Butler University and an MBA from Keller Graduate School.
K. Wayne Orvis
Group vice president, pharmacy and retail operations, Walgreens
Deerfield, Ill.
Kenneth “Wayne” Orvis is a group vice president for Walgreens, the nationwide drug store chain headquartered in Deerfield, Ill., and a division of Walgreens Boots Alliance. In his 25 years with the company, Orvis held several field leadership roles, including store manager, district manager and regional vice president in Cincinnati and Dayton, Ohio, and Dallas. In 2010, he joined the corporate team in Deerfield and served in a variety of roles, leading field communications, capacity planning, customer experience and employee initiatives. He currently oversees a support office team of 350 individuals in the areas of development operations, retail operations, capacity planning, store implementation, retail acquisitions integration and team member initiatives.
Katie Scanlon
Senior director pharmacy administration, Publix Super Markets
Lakeland, Fla.
Katie currently serves as the senior director of pharmacy administration at Publix Super Markets. In this role, she develops and directs the strategy for the pharmacy administration team, which encompasses all areas of procurement, managed care, new business, technology, data and analytics, and clinical services. Katie began her career with Publix in 2007 when she worked as pharmacist and pharmacy manager for five years before transitioning to the corporate office, where she has held a variety of roles including clinical pharmacist, manager of managed care, senior manager of specialty pharmacy, and director of central and specialty pharmacy. Drug Store News recognized Katie in 2019 in the Rising Star Category and in 2021 in the Business Excellence category for its Top Women in Health, Wellness, & Beauty awards. She was elected member-at-large for NACDS’s Policy Council beginning in January 2022. Katie earned her bachelor’s degree from Boston College in 2001 and her doctor of pharmacy degree from The University of Georgia College of Pharmacy in 2007.
Heidi Snyder, R.Ph., MBA
Owner, Drug World Pharmacies
Cold Spring, N.Y.
Heidi Snyder, R.Ph., MBA, is the owner of Drug World Pharmacy in Cold Spring, NY. She graduated from Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Science University in 1978 and Loyola University in 1979. Over the last 30 years, Heidi has made strides in developing pharmacy workflow methods through the use of innovative pharmacy technology and well-trained auxiliary staff. She is actively involved in the local community, working closely with the Philipstown Communities that Care Coalition, whose mission is to prevent substance misuse by children, youth and community. She is a member of multiple professional associations such as NACDS, NCPA, CPESN and PSSNY. Heidi also sits on the board as a trustee at Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and also as an advisor on the Good Neighbor Pharmacy Advisory Board.