Q: Where did you grow up?
In the small town of Vale, Oregon. I now live outside of Chicago, Illinois.
Q: Where did you go to college?
I graduated from the College of Idaho with a Bachelor of Science.
Q: What are your favorites?
Food: Sushi
Movie: Pride and Prejudice
Musicians: Maren Morris, Halsey
Destination: Venice, Italy. I was fortunate enough to visit on a study abroad trip in college.
Q: What do you like to do outside of work?
I have many interests. I love trying new restaurants, food and drinks. I try to travel whenever possible to places both new and familiar. I cherish spending time with family and friends in any capacity. In the last couple of years, I have been participating in intramural sports like volleyball and softball with fellow Chicagoans.
Q: What kind of work does your company do in 340B and what makes it stand out?
RPh Innovations (RPHI) has been helping covered entities manage their 340B program for over a decade. The mission of RPHI has always been to maximize the benefits of 340B programs for covered entities and the communities they serve. Working with many different types of covered entities and most major TPA’s gives us a unique perspective. The application of our experience and proprietary tools, like TPA data integration, ESP submission/price file management, and systematic TPA configuration reviews, has delivered solid results. Within the first 18 months of being an RPHI client, covered entities typically see an increase of 340B savings between 300% and 500%.
Q: Why did you choose to work in the 340B space?
After obtaining my degree in Biology in college, I knew I was interested in helping people in a more behind-the-scenes way than the traditional physician or patient-facing career path. 340B is the perfect way to make an incredible impact in a non-traditional healthcare setting. Knowing that I can help create expanded patient access to medications for people in small, rural communities like the one I grew up in is my favorite part of my job.
Q: What do you feel is your most significant contribution to the 340B world or to a 340B customer/client?
In the 6 years I have been working with RPh Innovations, I have participated in two 340B HRSA audits that have resulted in no findings. Audits are high-stress and high-stakes for all 340B covered entities and require a lot of effort to gather all the information necessary to make the audit flow smoothly. Even though it is a nerve-racking experience, it is very rewarding to be able to assist our clients at such a crucial time. My hands-on experience with on-site HRSA audits has also proven to be very beneficial while assisting clients in their annual audit reviews, and the development of policy and procedures.
Q: What advice do you have for a young professional who has recently launched a career in the 340B space?
Invest in yourself by learning every day! 340B provides such a great opportunity to learn. It touches not only the entire pharmacy system; but it is also intertwined with the overall healthcare system. For those that commit to learning, 340B can teach you drug distribution, healthcare finance, therapeutics, pharmacy finance, and inventory management. The more knowledge you can obtain, the more you will be able to find solutions to unique and challenging 340B issues.
For questions, Liz can be reached etrenkel@rphinnovations.com
