Description
Kirby Bates Associates has been exclusively retained by the University of Michigan Regional Health Network to conduct the search for the next Regional Associate Chief Pharmacy Officer for University of Michigan Health-Sparrow and University of Michigan Health-West.
University of Michigan Health is one of the nation's leading academic health systems, bringing together world-class clinical care, research, education, and innovation across an expanding statewide network. Its pharmacy enterprise is equally distinguished, with a legacy that helped shape modern health-system pharmacy, including the nation's first pharmacy residency program, which will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2027. Today, pharmacy services span academic and community hospitals, ambulatory and specialty pharmacy, home infusion, clinical pharmacy, education, and workforce development, with a shared vision to build the best pharmacy enterprise in the country.
The Regional Associate Chief Pharmacy Officer provides executive leadership for pharmacy operations across University of Michigan Health’s regional network, including UM Health-Sparrow Lansing, its community and critical access hospitals in Carson City, Charlotte, Ionia, and St. Johns, UM Health-West, affiliate sites, and future acquisitions. Reporting directly to Chief Pharmacy Officer Karen McConnell, PharmD, MBA, FCCP, FASHP, BCPS, this hands-on executive will lead regional pharmacy directors and managers; strengthen culture, accountability, and employee engagement; and advance safe, efficient, and financially sound inpatient, infusion, and clinical pharmacy services. The ACPO will assess operational gaps, standardize and spread best practices, develop leaders, identify growth opportunities, and accelerate system integration, including the One Epic journey. The successful candidate will bring a system-level perspective, strong execution skills, and broad pharmacy expertise in areas such as supply chain, 340B, formulary management, and P&T committee operations.
Opportunity Highlights:
- Partner with some of the most respected leaders in the profession. Report directly to Chief Pharmacy Officer Karen McConnell, former inaugural CPO of CommonSpirit Health, and work alongside John S. Clark, Associate Chief Pharmacy Officer, 2024 ASHP John W. Webb Lecture Award recipient, and mentor to more than 120 pharmacy residents.
- Lead transformative system integration across a premier health system. Play a pivotal role in advancing pharmacy operations across UM Health-Sparrow and UM Health-West as well as future acquisitions while helping drive the organization's strategic "One Epic" journey and standardization efforts across the region.
- Build upon a historic legacy while creating the next chapter. Join a pharmacy enterprise with a nationally recognized heritage, including the nation's first pharmacy residency program and a vision to become the best pharmacy enterprise in the country. This is a rare opportunity to influence culture, optimize operations, expand services, and leave a lasting impact across a growing health system.
Requirements
Qualifications:
- PharmD required; residency training (or equivalent experience) preferred, with an MBA, MHA, MS, or active pursuit of an advanced business degree preferred.
- 10+ years of progressive pharmacy leadership experience within a complex health system environment.
- Demonstrated success leading multi-site pharmacy operations, including inpatient pharmacy, infusion services, and system-level initiatives across hospitals or regional networks.
- System-level expertise in pharmacy operations and governance, including areas such as pharmacy supply chain, 340B, formulary management, P&T committee operations, financial stewardship, and large-scale integration efforts.
EEO Statement
Kirby Bates Associates is an EEO/AA Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity and expression, national origin, age, disability or protected veteran status. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all of our associates.
