Q: Where did you grow up?
I grew up in several different countries, including Denmark, England, Norway, and the U.S.
Q: Where did you go to college/graduate school?
I went to Long Beach State University (LBSU) in Southern California for undergrad, and UCLA for my Master of Business Administration (MBA).
Q: What are your favorites?
Food: I always enjoy a good steak.
Movie: Anything by Quentin Tarantino!
Musicians: Rolling Stones, Beastie Boys, and Green Day
Destination: Going home to visit my family in Norway is always great, but Australia is my go-to place. Nothing beats it for beaches, striking sights like Uluru (Ayer’s Rock), and stunning cities like Sydney (not to mention koalas and kangaroos).
Q: What do you like to do outside of work?
You’re likely to find me playing and coaching baseball with my two sons (with their little sister and mom not too far away)—or getting out on the golf course for 18 holes with my friends and colleagues.
Q: What kind of work does your company do in 340B and what makes it stand out?
Macro Helix is a third-party administrator that provides Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) solutions to support covered entities in optimizing their 340B programs. What sets us apart is how we do it. We offer a high-touch approach for our customers, sharing our 340B expertise in everything from compliance issues to manufacturer actions. You get much more than software solutions—you get a trusted partner. Even better, we combine the high-touch approach of a small firm with the vast resources and knowledge base of McKesson.
Q: Why did you choose to work in the 340B space?
I’ve worked in healthcare my entire career, and when I led strategy for McKesson’s US Pharma business, I took a keen interest in 340B. While I found it satisfying to learn how to help customers navigate the complexity of the program, I was also drawn to the 340B mission of providing care for those in society who are less fortunate. Those two sides of the coin really resonated with me.
Q: What do you feel is your most significant contribution to the 340B world or to a 340B customer/client?
One of our strategic imperatives at Macro Helix is to preserve the integrity of the 340B program. Since I believe strongly in the mission of 340B, I’m driven to help restore the program by brokering a solution between covered entities and manufacturers. We’re working on that solution right now, and if it’s as successful as I believe it can be, then I will consider it to be my greatest accomplishment. It will be a success not just for me and Macro Helix, but for the entire 340B community.
Q: What advice do you have for a young professional who has recently launched a career in the 340B space?
Ask questions, listen, and learn. The program itself is complex and dynamic, so give yourself some grace as you seek to understand it. Put in the time and effort, and the valuable knowledge you’ll gain will take you far.
For questions, Alex can be reached at alex.hennum@macrohelix.com.
