Symposium Speakers

host
Amina Abubakar, PharmD, AAHIVP
Amina Abubakar graduated from the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy University of the Sciences in 2005. She is the owner and manager of Avant Pharmacy & Wellness Center formerly known as Rx Clinic Pharmacy in Charlotte, NC, and the founder of the Avant Institute. She is an internationally recognized award-winning clinical pharmacist, Certified HIV Specialty Pharmacist, a preceptor to UNC Chapel Hill residents and students from several schools of pharmacy. Recently, Amina was bestowed the honor by the National Community Pharmacists Association as 2020’s Independent Pharmacist of the Year and also received the 2020 Bowl of Hygeia from the North Carolina Association of Pharmacists for outstanding service to the community. She has fostered an environment that showcases the impact of community pharmacists on patient care by collaborating with medical providers and expanding pharmacist-led clinical services in her community. Her desire to help others advance the pharmacy profession inspired her to found the Avant Institute to offer training to pharmacies across the country on the practical application of clinical pharmacy services through developing sustainable physician collaborations. Currently, she shares her passion for pharmacy advancements with pharmacists, patients and policy makers all over the country through pharmacogenomics. She was invited to the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy and to the FDA to discuss the role of pharmacists in pharmacogenomics.

Mastering the Art of Pharmacogenetics through the Utilization of Clinical Decision Support
Kristine Ashcraft, MBA
Kristine has worked in pharmacogenomics since 2000 and was named one of the 25 leading global voices in precision medicine. She is the Founder and President of YouScript, an award-winning clinical decision support tool that has integrated PGx-guided personalized prescribing in the clinical workflow for over a decade. Kristine has 25+ years experience in various C-level, board, customer success and business development roles. She has authored multiple publications on the clinical and economic benefits of pharmacogenomic testing and serves on numerous PGx advisory groups including the STRIPE Steering Committee, the FDA collaborative community for pharmacogenomics, CPIC, and the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network PGx task force.

the medical practice of tomorrow
Olivia Bentley, PharmD, CFts, AAHIVP. Vice President Avant Institute
Olivia Bentley received her Doctor of Pharmacy from South University School of Pharmacy in Savannah in 2012 and completed a PGY1 Community Residency Program at the University of Georgia with Village Drug Shop in Athens, GA in 2013. Dr. Bentley is also a Board-Certified HIV Pharmacist. She is one of the co-founders of Avant Institute, a training institution for collaborative care models. In 2018, she became the Executive Director/CEO of Amity Medical Group, a 501(c)3 nonprofit medical practice and Ryan White grantee. Today, Amity Medical Group is a Federally Qualified Health Center Look-A-Like with six locations in the Charlotte, NC area. Dr. Bentley leads a team of 75 physicians, clinicians, pharmacists, and specialists in team-based care, bringing innovative new services and models of care that address the challenges in navigating the new value-care models in the healthcare space.

Navigating the Blind Spots of Contracts and Common Challenges of Medical Billing
Siri Bommireddipalli, CPC, COC
Sirisha Bommireddipalli is a serial entrepreneur with over 15 years of expertise in healthcare revenue cycle management. As the CEO and Founder of MedConverge, LLC, she has helped hundreds of independently owned practices thrive, even amid increasing hospital acquisitions. With certifications in professional and outpatient coding (CPC, COC) and a degree from Harvard University, Sirisha is known for her leadership, strategic insights, and versatile project management skills. She frequently speaks at industry events and serves as an expert witness, providing valuable guidance on optimizing revenue cycle and driving practice growth in a complex healthcare environment.

Proactive Health: Wellness with a Protocol
Kathy Campbell, PharmD
Dr. Kathy Campbell: A Lifelong Innovator in Pharmacy and Wellness
Dr. Kathy Campbell, widely recognized as “DrKathy,” is a clinical wellness pharmacist and a trailblazer in the pharmacy industry. With over 30 years of experience, Dr. Campbell has consistently pushed the boundaries of traditional pharmacy practice, integrating innovative solutions that address the pressing health challenges of our time.
A graduate of the University of Oklahoma with dual Bachelor of Science degrees in Zoology and Pharmacy, and a Doctor of Pharmacy degree, Dr. Campbell has been at the forefront of clinical pharmacy in Owasso, Oklahoma, since 1992. Together with her husband Royce, she has owned and operated Medicap Owasso Wellness Pharmacy & Compounding since 2001, serving generations of patients and deeply embedding herself in the community she loves.
In addition to being a passionate pharmacist, DrKathy is a problem solver and entrepreneur. Her creation of DrKathyWeightLoss and DrKathy’s Nourish exemplifies her commitment to comprehensive health, addressing weight management, metabolic dysfunction and the critical role of nutrition in disease prevention. Her current initiative, ""Partners In Health,"" further highlights the importance of proactive pharmacist-patient partnerships in achieving long-term health outcomes.
An in-demand speaker, educator and consultant, DrKathy shares her expertise on national platforms, including TEDxTulsa, and continues to influence the pharmacy profession through her teaching and advisory roles. As a newly appointed Board Member for the Accreditation Council of Pharmacy Education (ACPE) by the American Pharmacists Association (APhA), DrKathy is poised to shape the future of pharmacy education and practice.
Passionate about creating a culture of health, DrKathy’s book, ""Obesity—The Modern Famine,"" published in 2024, reflects her deep commitment to addressing one of the most significant health crises of our time. Her legacy is one of innovation, education, and a relentless pursuit of a healthier future for all.

Teamwork in Rheumatology: Leveraging Pharmacists for Comprehensive Patient Care
Aly Cohen, MD, FACR
Dr. Aly Cohen is triple board-certified in rheumatology, internal medicine, and integrative medicine, as well as an environmental health expert in Princeton, New Jersey. Her new book, DETOXIFY: The Everyday Toxins Harming Your Immune System and How to Defend Against Them, connects the dots between everyday chemicals and the epidemic rise in immune disorders and autoimmune disease...and what we CAN all do about it!
Dr. Cohen's Background: She studied at the University of Pennsylvania, where she focused her studies on medical anthropology and human evolution - topics that have greatly influenced her work. She is on faculty of the Academy of Integrative Health and Medicine (AIHM), Southern California University of Health Sciences (SCU), and the Integrative and Functional Medicine Fellowship of the Susan Samueli Integrative Health Institute (SSIHI) at the University of California, Irvine, where she created and manages the environmental medicine and integrative rheumatology curriculum for medical colleagues. Dr. Cohen has collaborated with the Environmental Working Group, Cancer Schmancer, and other disease- prevention organizations, and is coeditor of the textbook, Integrative Environmental Medicine, part of the Oxford University Press/Weil Integrative Medicine, Academic Series. She is the co-author of the bestselling, consumer guidebook, Non-Toxic: Guide to Living Healthy in a Chemical World, also published by Oxford University Press. In 2015, she created TheSmartHuman.com to share environmental health, disease prevention, and wellness information with the public. She lectures nationally on environmental health topics for elementary/ high schools, colleges/ universities, medical schools, and physician- training programs, and she is a regular expert guest for television, print, and podcasts. She is a legal medical expert for toxic tort environmental exposure cases. She has been the recipient of countless awards, including Top Docs NJ in rheumatology from 2016-2024, Top Docs New York Magazine 2024, Top Docs Philadelphia and New York Magazines 2024, Exceptional Women in Medicine 2020-2024, the NJ Healthcare Heroes Award in Education for The Smart Human educational platform in 2015, and the 2016 Burton L. Eichler Award for humanitarianism. Dr. Cohen is working to educate and empower the next generation to make safer, smarter lifestyle choices through the creation of environmental health and prevention curricula for schools nationally. Her TEDx talk, “How to Protect Your Kids from Toxic Chemicals", has garnered over 10 thousand views and can be found on YouTube, and you can follow her health and wellness tips and recommendations on Facebook at The Smart Human, Twitter, and Instagram: @thesmarthuman, and TikTok. Sign up for The Smart Human newsletter, subscribe to The Smart Human YouTube channel, read her latest posts at TheSmartHuman.com, and listen to her podcast The Smart Human. She lives on a farm in New Jersey with her husband, two sons, and lots of furry friends!
Dr. Cohen's Background: She studied at the University of Pennsylvania, where she focused her studies on medical anthropology and human evolution - topics that have greatly influenced her work. She is on faculty of the Academy of Integrative Health and Medicine (AIHM), Southern California University of Health Sciences (SCU), and the Integrative and Functional Medicine Fellowship of the Susan Samueli Integrative Health Institute (SSIHI) at the University of California, Irvine, where she created and manages the environmental medicine and integrative rheumatology curriculum for medical colleagues. Dr. Cohen has collaborated with the Environmental Working Group, Cancer Schmancer, and other disease- prevention organizations, and is coeditor of the textbook, Integrative Environmental Medicine, part of the Oxford University Press/Weil Integrative Medicine, Academic Series. She is the co-author of the bestselling, consumer guidebook, Non-Toxic: Guide to Living Healthy in a Chemical World, also published by Oxford University Press. In 2015, she created TheSmartHuman.com to share environmental health, disease prevention, and wellness information with the public. She lectures nationally on environmental health topics for elementary/ high schools, colleges/ universities, medical schools, and physician- training programs, and she is a regular expert guest for television, print, and podcasts. She is a legal medical expert for toxic tort environmental exposure cases. She has been the recipient of countless awards, including Top Docs NJ in rheumatology from 2016-2024, Top Docs New York Magazine 2024, Top Docs Philadelphia and New York Magazines 2024, Exceptional Women in Medicine 2020-2024, the NJ Healthcare Heroes Award in Education for The Smart Human educational platform in 2015, and the 2016 Burton L. Eichler Award for humanitarianism. Dr. Cohen is working to educate and empower the next generation to make safer, smarter lifestyle choices through the creation of environmental health and prevention curricula for schools nationally. Her TEDx talk, “How to Protect Your Kids from Toxic Chemicals", has garnered over 10 thousand views and can be found on YouTube, and you can follow her health and wellness tips and recommendations on Facebook at The Smart Human, Twitter, and Instagram: @thesmarthuman, and TikTok. Sign up for The Smart Human newsletter, subscribe to The Smart Human YouTube channel, read her latest posts at TheSmartHuman.com, and listen to her podcast The Smart Human. She lives on a farm in New Jersey with her husband, two sons, and lots of furry friends!

GALT PHARMACEUTICALS
Dane Croxton, PharmD
Dane Croxton is a proud University of Georgia alumnus, having completed his undergraduate studies in biochemistry and molecular biology before continuing his education at the UGA College of Pharmacy. A Bulldog for life, Dane's passion for the intersection of science and patient care led him to play a pivotal role in expanding the Industry Pharmacists Organization during pharmacy school, fostering opportunities for peers to explore diverse career paths.
Following graduation, Dane pursued a medical affairs fellowship with Galt Pharmaceuticals, where he honed his expertise in bridging the gap between medical science and patient outcomes. After completing the fellowship, Dane remained with Galt Pharmaceuticals, driven by a shared mission to deliver a better way to patients, providers, and independent pharmacies.

Linking Behavioral Health Specialists with Peer Navigators for Improved Outcomes
Martin Forsberg, MD
Associate Professor Department of Geriatrics and Gerontology, Rowan-School of Osteopathic Medicine
Dr. Martin Forsberg is an associate professor in the department of geriatrics at the New Jersey Institute of Successful Aging at Rowan School of Osteopathic medicine. He joined the faculty in 2006. He is the director of the geriatric psychiatry fellowship and chief of geriatric behavioral health. He also teaches and supervises clerkship medical students, psychiatry and family medicine residents as well as fellows at the clinic and bedside. He provides psychiatric consultation to patients in the community as well as in long term care and assisted living settings. His interests include trauma, delirium, behavioral manifestations of dementia. His research pertains to blood based biomarker discovery in Huntington’s disease, the effect of alpha-blockers on re-experiencing of trauma in PTSD and the effect of anesthesia on the blood brain barrier. Dr. Forsberg is co-founder of PTSDRx.org which is a medical practice that specializes in treating the re-experiencing symptoms of PTSD with alpha-blocker medication to relieve symptoms and facilitate healing.

Linking Behavioral Health Specialists with Peer Navigators for Improved Outcomes
Madiha Hinawy, MEd, LCMHCA, NCC
Madiha received her bachelor's in psychology and subsequently completed her Master in Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree. She is nationally board certified and currently holds a provisional license in her field. Madiha has been with Avant Pharmacy and Wellness Center and Amity Medical Group for almost a decade where her role evolved from being a summer volunteer helping with inventory, workflow and answering phone calls, to now being a care manager in the Clinical Care Coordination Center managing patients in RPM, BHI, and CCM programs. She works alongside a team of clinical pharmacists and providers to ensure patients receive comprehensive care that addresses every aspect of their health, including addressing and resolving social determinants of health.

Utilizing the GUIDE Model as the Foundation for Future Outcomes-based Care
Saswat K. Kabisatpathy, PharmD. MS, BCMTMS
Saswat K. Kabisatpathy, PharmD, MS, BCMTMS, is the Chief Strategic Officer & Director of Strategy & Analytics at Avant Pharmacy & Wellness and the Avant Institute located in Charlotte, North Carolina. With a strategic vision and a commitment to innovation, Dr. Swat plays a pivotal role in steering the company's growth and expansion. His expertise in strategic planning and operational efficiency has significantly contributed to the transformation and success of Avant Pharmacy & Wellness. Known for his leadership and forward-thinking approach, Dr. Swat is dedicated to advancing healthcare services and ensuring exceptional patient care. Dr. Swat is an active member of numerous pharmacy organizations and serves as a Member Network Facilitator for the Community Pharmacy Enhanced Services Network's (CPESN) special purpose network called Physiatry-Pharmacy Collaborative (PPC) at Home.

Utilizing the GUIDE Model as the Foundation for Future Outcomes-based Care
Stephen Lewis, MD, FAAPMR
Stephen Lewis, MD, FABPMR, serves as national medical director for the Physiatry-Pharmacy Collaborative, a CPESN USA special purpose network. Dr. Lewis is a physician specialist in the rehabilitation of chronic disease that includes both physical and cognitive frailty as well as dementia and related co-morbidities. Dr. Lewis’s work has led to a collaboration with Medicare Innovation Center through the GUIDE model for dementia care and support. Dr. Lewis developed a leading Human Functioning Technology Platform called HEALTHGAMEPLAN (android, IOS, web) that makes it easy for pharmacy-led teams to help aging patients better self-manage at home. Dr. Lewis is co-author of the telehealth innovation white paper from the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and serves as clinical Assistant Professor of Rehabilitation Medicine at Virtua Health College of Medicine.

special feature
Randy P McDonough, PharmD, MS, BCGP, BCPS, FAPhA
Dr. Randy McDonough is Co-owner/CEO of Towncrest, Solon Towncrest, Towncrest LTC, Towncrest Wellness Apothecary, Bennett Pharmacy, and Cornerstone Apothecary Pharmacies. He is also co-founder/co-owner of Innovative Pharmacy Solutions and Professor of Pharmacy Management and Innovation at Loma Linda University School of Pharmacy. He is responsible for development, implementation, and quality assurance for all aspects of the clinic and services. He is board certified in geriatrics and as a pharmacotherapy specialist. His areas of interest include community-based outcomes research, student development, residency training, geriatrics, new business models for service delivery, and developing and implementing patient care services.
Dr. McDonough has published and presented extensively about pharmaceutical care, MTM, and implementing patient care services in the community pharmacy setting. In particular he is recognized for his efforts in developing and implementing new pharmacy business models. He has co-authored a book on pharmaceutical care and has written chapters for several other texts. He has presented nationally and internationally on pharmaceutical care, MTM services and Performance Measures in the community pharmacy setting.
Dr. McDonough is a member of the American Pharmacists Association, National Community Pharmacists Association, American Society of Consultant Pharmacists, American Society of Health-Systems Pharmacists, American College of Clinical Pharmacy, and the Iowa Pharmacists Association. He has served in various roles in these organizations. He has been recognized nationally for his work and he has received the APhA Daniel B. Smith Award, NCPA Independent Pharmacist of the Year, IPA Innovative Pharmacist of the Year, and Parata’s Lifetime Achievement, Entrepreneurial, and Patient Care Pharmacist of the Year Awards. Recently, he was elected to the office of President-Elect for the American Pharmacists Association

Utilizing the GUIDE Model as the Foundation for Future Outcomes-based Care
Seedy Njie, MS
Seedy Njie is the Lead Patient Care Navigator at HealthGamePlan, where he oversees and supports Patient Care Navigators across multiple locations. He helps aging adults manage conditions like pain, mobility challenges, and memory loss through innovative, person-centered care strategies. Seedy’s leadership has expanded patient enrollment and strengthened collaboration between pharmacists, primary care providers, and care navigators. Beyond healthcare, Seedy advocates for interfaith dialogue and community building as a Fellow at the Abrahamic House. His work also spans project management, DE&I consulting, and talent development, making a meaningful impact across diverse fields.

Proactive Health: Wellness with a Protocol
Jack Novansy, Director of Health and Wellness
I am passionate about combining my expertise in exercise science and pharmaceuticals to optimize health. I believe in the importance of living active and healthy lifestyles that are both practical and rewarding. As a pharmacist with Avant, I take great joy in helping patients challenge their current conditions and achieve their best health.

The Currency of Collaboration in Value-based Payment and Value-based Care
Mandy Occhipinti, PharmD, AAHIVP, CPP
Mandy is a practicing CPP at Amity Medical Group. She has been the Director of Quality Assurance and Improvement with AMG for the last 3 years. She enjoys problem solving and providing patient care. In her spare time, she loves spending time with her husband Nick and her two dogs, Fitz and Lizzie.

GALT PHARMACEUTICALS
Virl Patel, PharmD
Viral Patel is a Medical Affairs Fellow working for Galt Pharmaceuticals. He graduated from the University of Georgia with his Pharm. D. in 2024. Viral is passionate about combining clinical knowledge with industry insights in the hopes of enhancing patient outcomes.

Special Feature
Nich Pertuit, PhD
Dr. Nich Pertuit is an innovative professional with a solid history of success in driving wellness initiatives. He specializes in plan design, human motivation, and applying behavioral economic strategies across numerous domains. He has spent time as a professor at three different universities; a consultant for professional and collegiate sports programs; and even spent six years as a professional athlete himself. His mission now is to empower every person to become in control of their health and, therefore, their lives through the wellness company he founded, “Healthy Is," which is expanding across the US hand-in-hand with independent pharmacies.

Mastering the Art of Pharmacogenetics through the Utilization of Clinical Decision Support
Marianna Wilbur, PharmD, MHA
After completing the Avant Institute’s Population Health & Practice Development Fellowship, Marianna has stayed on with Avant Pharmacy & Wellness to continue implementing innovative pharmacy solutions while also branching out and developing an independent practice closer to home. Pharmacogenomics remains her top interest for innovative healthcare initiatives. Most recently, she has started as faculty with the Avant Institute helping to develop their latest fellowship cohort.

Host + pre-conference event + SPECIAL FEATURE
Travis Wolff, PharmD, BCACP
Travis Wolff, Pharm.D. is a Board Certified Ambulatory Care Pharmacist, CDC Subject Matter Expert, founder of PharmFurther Business Coaching, and CEO of Bedside Manner Primary Care Clinic. In his mission to help community pharmacists and physician clinic owners implement new services into traditional workflows, he quickly learned that it all comes down to your people. After learning this, he worked to become Certified in the Psychology of Leadership from Cornell so that he could teach managers across the globe how to thrive in employee engagement and succeed with specific implementation science designed approaches. This business demand quickly exploded as PharmFurther now coaches medical practices, hospitals, and health departments. Travis was a coordinating author of the CDC DSMES Billing Playbook, and currently serves as the Director of Medical Billing for the Community Pharmacy Enhanced Services Network where he helps specific state leaders implement new provider parity laws for pharmacist medical billing in their state specific context. Travis has built a community of high leverage medical professionals, with a focus on quality patient outcomes provided in sustainable revenue models. PharmFurther’s mission is to Grow your Revenue by Building your People. Get started today at Group.PharmFurther.com