Visit to DHHS & APhA

This morning we made our way to the Humphrey Building where the Department of Health &Human Services resides.  

We visited the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) for a meeting with Dennis Wagner (Co-Director of the Partnership for Patients Initiative & Director of Quality Improvement & Innovations Models Testing Group- Center for Clinical Standards & Quality). Kind of a big deal.

Mr. Wagner talked about his involvement and organizations within the DHHS, such as HRSA, CMS, NIH, CC, CHIP.  He presented his use of social marketing vs strictly regulatory efforts. 

We discussed the Partnership for Patients Initiative, the Innovation Center at CMS, and leadership.  Wagner emphasized his use of the model "Stimulus--> Choice--> Response" and how we have the choice to make things happen if we really want Better Care, Better Health, Lower Costs. 

Wagner's Leadership Speech Act taught us that most leadership happens through language, so we must use: assertions, declarations, requests & offers, acknowledgements, "yes, and...", and effective questions. 

Mr. Wagner challenged us all to make choices, use our platforms in pharmacy (or other positions), enroll others, and stand together to create positive change. 

After our inspiring meeting with Mr. Wagner, we headed down the street to the Smithsonian Air & Space Museum.

Then we walked a ways to the American Pharmacists Association (APhA) Building, where we had lunch on the terrace.  Luckily, it was a gorgeous day, so we got to enjoy a great view of D.C. 

Bill Ellis (APhA Director Board Pharmaceutical Specialties) led us on a tour of the APhA building.

We met in the APhA Boardroom with various pharmacy organizations: 

from APhA- Anne Burns (VP Professional Affairs), 

                 - Michael Spira (Senior Lobbyist)

                 - Jillanne Schulte (JD, Director of Regulatory Affairs)

from AMCP- Mary Jo Carden (Director of Regulatory Affairs)

                  - Edith (CEO)

from NASPA- Krystalyn Weaver (Director of Policy & State Relations)

frmo NCPA- Douglas Hoey (CEO)

We discussed the importance of national collaborations within pharmacy, government agencies, HR 4190 pharmacy provider status bill & all its details, that you need to "get into politics or get out of pharmacy", and a whole new side to managed care. 

Saw Lowell Anderson's past APhA president photo on the wall! Then we drank some beer & recapped the day! 

Group pic outside the APhA building