Over the last 18 months a skilled and dedicated team has transformed Alchemy from an idea into a rapidly scaling business serving nearly 20 STD clinics, Ryan Whites, and FQHCs across 8 states. Welcome to the first installment of our blog series introducing the teams behind Alchemy’s growth.
Today we’re profiling Pharmacy Operations – the hands-on driving force providing everything a safety net clinic needs to build, launch, and operate a best-in-class in-house pharmacy program (learn more about the process we undertake to launch an in-house pharmacy here). Together, our team of clinical pharmacists and project managers have over 50 years of experience setting up and operating pharmacies across the U.S. As our partner, Ronnie Bass, CEO of Someone Cares clinic in Atlanta said, “Alchemy brought our vision to life with expertise and compassion. From the initial call, weekly meetings, managing the process, and their on-site hands-on approach…the team is knowledgeable, dependable and delivers a great product.”
Learn more about Andy, Brian, Shilpa and Will, what drew them to Alchemy, and who had a booming sneaker resale business at 13 (!), in this Q&A with the team.
What attracted you to Alchemy and what excites you most about being on the team?
Andy (Sr. Manager, Pharmacy Operations): Being able to be a part of a team that is making a major difference in the pharmacy space and improving healthcare access. What’s most exciting to me is how my role combines two things I am very passionate about - pharmacy compliance and architectural design - to build out pharmacy spaces for our clients.
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Brian (Head of Pharmacy Operations): The mission of supporting at-risk, underserved communities and our clinic partners is what drew me to Alchemy. Being able to drive improved health outcomes and make an immediate and daily impact in the lives of patients and clinics energizes me and drives my focus.
Will (Operations Manager) I have always been interested in the operational inefficiencies in healthcare. Alchemy presented the rare opportunity to have a significant impact on patient outcomes while getting to build a successful business and learn from a highly experienced team. I reached out to the founders via cold email when Alchemy had only 4 employees and the rest is history.
What does your day-to-day look like?
Will (Operations Manager): Since I started I can't point to two days that look the same. However, simply put, I focus on project management for our clients to ensure successful pharmacy setup, launch, and day to day operations. In practice, I have done everything from writing policies to using power tools to construct a high security pharmacy ceiling, to researching patient assistance programs that ensure patients get free healthcare while still maximizing revenue for the clinic.
Shilpa (Chief Operating Officer) The answer is it depends, which is what makes the role exciting and fulfilling. I could be knocking down a wall, assembling a bunch of pharmacy shelving and cabinets OR presenting growth and ROI plan to the customer's execs OR diving deep into patient journey, product and data workflow on any given day. We do whatever it takes to speed up the launch, do it efficiently and frugally while leaving no patient behind.
Andy (Sr. Manager, Pharmacy Operations): Each day is different. Some days I am on site at a clinic solving issues before a regulatory inspection, other days I am at home designing future pharmacy spaces, researching regulatory requirements, drafting policy and procedures, and building out documents to ensure the pharmacy teams remain compliant and pass all future inspections.
What’s a valuable lesson or insight you’ve gained from a teammate on the Pharmacy Operations team?
Shilpa (Chief Operating Officer): The value of trust building and empathy when operating with safety net clinics, many of whom have been burned by past pharmacy relationships. I've had to activate this side of myself as I generally approached work with a mentality of "execute, trust will follow and everything else will fall in place"
Andy (Sr. Manager, Pharmacy Operations): One valuable lesson I have learned from current team members is to always find a solution and be creative. We are presented with unique situations in every pharmacy and we are constantly having to come up with solutions on a tight timeframe. Our partners rely on us, and we take this responsibility very seriously.
Tell us something about yourself we won’t find on your Linkedin Profile
Brian (Head of Pharmacy Operations): I am a proud 5-time cancer survivor, having recently moved into remission from my toughest battle yet with stage 3 colon cancer.
Andy (Sr. Manager, Pharmacy Operations): One valuable lesson I have learned from current team members is to always find a solution and be creative. We are presented with unique situations in every pharmacy and we are constantly having to come up with solutions on a tight timeframe. Our partners rely on us, and we take this responsibility very seriously.
Will (Operations Manager): At 13 years old, I made 5-figures in profit by starting a sneaker resale business and at 16 years old, I started a nonprofit to help at-risk youth get access to free meals, tutors, and basketball training.
The opportunity to build something lasting and impactful attracted me to Alchemy. It is fulfilling to watch our customers find their footing financially, take control of their destiny through in-house pharmacy, and grow their organizations to serve more patients. This team brings equal parts diligence and empathy that is essential to impact change in this industry - this is what excites me the most!
Shilpa Lakshmana Raju
Chief Operating Officer
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