Annual Symposium

Session Topics

We are excited to share a summary of the topics being covered at the 2025 Business of Collaborative Care Symposium!

Partnering for Health: How Integrative Medicine and Team-Based Care Transform Rheumatology Practice with Dr. Aly Cohen, MD

This session explores the importance of collaborative, integrative care in rheumatology, focusing on partnerships with pharmacists and other healthcare professionals to address the growing demand for care. We’ll discuss how blending Eastern and Western medicine can improve patient outcomes, while also examining the impact of environmental factors on rheumatic diseases. Practical, integrative strategies for enhancing patient health and preventing disease will be shared, equipping attendees with actionable insights to transform care in the field of rheumatology.

Collaboration to Restore Foundational Health with Kathy M. Campbell, Pharm D. and Jack Novansy, Director of Health and Wellness

Pharmacists are not often viewed as the facilitators of health. However, for pharmacists to take on the identity of specializing in wellness, there must be a stronger focus on proactive care, recognizing the impact of the chemistry of food and the role of physical activity. In this session, our speakers explore how pharmacists have developed effective protocols for wellness and further review collaboration between pharmacists, patients, and medical providers.

Navigating the Workflow Efficiency to Improve Medical Billing Outcomes with Siri Bommireddipalli, CPC, COC

Medical billing is often viewed as the final step in a medical practice's financial process, but in reality, the billing cycle begins the moment a patient first makes contact. The most successful billing departments integrate their processes from this initial encounter, ensuring a seamless flow throughout the entire cycle. To optimize revenue and improve office efficiency, it’s crucial to engage your entire team—from front desk staff to billers—in the process. In this session, we will explore how to develop key performance indicators (KPIs) for your team, address common revenue cycle challenges and their solutions, and discuss the importance of comprehensive training for all positions to prevent billing issues and streamline your practice’s financial operations.

Utilizing the GUIDE Model as the Foundation for Future Outcomes-based Care with Stephen Lewis MD, Saswat K. Kabisatpathy, PharmD. MS, BCMTMS, and

To address the needs of the aging population and an increasing number of patients diagnosed with dementia, a new care model has been developed by CMS to improve quality of life for people living with dementia. An innovative concept has been designed by experts to integrate online modules and weekly clinical care meetings to train clinical pharmacists, pharmacist assistants and community health workers in function-informed dementia care. These Patient Care Navigators are based at independent community pharmacies that are located within local communities. The goal is to help patients maximize their functional abilities for preventing nursing home placement.

Mastering the Art of Pharmacogenetics through the Utilization of Clinical Decision Support with Kristine Ashcraft and Marianna Wilbur, PharmD, MHA

Pharmacogenetics, a rapidly advancing field, is transforming patient care by helping to match the right medication to the right patient at the right time. Its application spans various medical specialties, including behavioral health, cardiology, and beyond. With the right tools and adherence to best practices, pharmacists can play a pivotal role in educating patients, collaborating with healthcare providers, and enhancing clinical outcomes. Pharmacogenetics also has the potential to strengthen the physician-patient relationship. In today's digital age, patients have easy access to information about precision medicine, empowering them to take an active role in their healthcare decisions. At the same time, Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) are closely examining how this knowledge is being applied to improve care delivery. By leveraging available pharmacogenetic tools, providers can enhance both the quality and cost-effectiveness of patient care.

The Currency of Collaboration in Value-based Payment and Value-based Care with Mandy Occhipinti, PharmD.

With the intricacies of value-based payment models, practices oftentimes find it difficult to keep up with the unique details of each contract and requirements to meet quality benchmarks. This is accompanied by an ever-growing number of dashboards and platforms to outline specific actions needed to help achieve these benchmarks. However, these quality programs often lack a plan of action and a formula for success. By designating quality coordinators and team members to guide realistic workflows, practices can meet and exceed incentive thresholds and performance outcomes in value-based care. While pharmacists have not often been positioned in these roles, pharmacists have a unique blend of clinical expertise, problem-solving skills, and knowledge of workflow development to craft a plan of action for medical practices targeting quality initiatives.

The Quest of Medical Practice Ownership with Olivia Bentley PharmD, CFts, AAHIVP

Medical practice ownership presents a unique opportunity for pharmacists and providers to collaborate in new ways. Whether exploring models through direct ownership or through management service organizations, pharmacist owners must be well-equipped with the foundational knowledge to navigate new territories of licensing and credentialing, value-based contracting, and medical practice management. In this session, essential considerations will be explored to provide insight into the quest for ownership.

Linking Primary Care Providers, Behavioral Health Specialists, and Peer Navigators for Improved Patient Outcomes with Martin Forsberg M.D. and Sherrie Rhinehart

Behavioral health conditions can have a significant impact on individuals, families, and society, both in terms of health and economic costs. In this session, speakers will explore the process of harnessing the potential of community pharmacy for managing behavioral health in the community setting. Through partnerships with behavioral health specialists, primary care providers, and peer specialists, pharmacies are collaborating to meet the needs of patients through improved coordination of care.

9835 Monroe Rd, Charlotte, NC 28270
Email: info@avantinstitute.com
Phone number: 704-879-5166

Symposium Agenda