Q: Where did you grow up?
I was born in Banja-Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina and lived there until my family moved to Atlanta, Georgia in the early 90’s as a young kid. After so many years, I consider myself an Atlanta native.
Q: Where did you go to college/graduate school?
I am a proud Georgia Southern Eagle. GATA!
Q: What are your favorites?
Food: Pizza! If there is an opportunity to put any topping possible on cheese and bread, I’m not missing out!
Movie: Tied between Dazed & Confused and RENT
Musicians: Dave Matthews Band, Fleetwood Mac, and Kings of Leon
Destination: Anywhere with a great beach! It’s a toss-up between Croatia and Costa Rica
Q: What do you like to do outside of work?
I am absolutely obsessed with travel! Seeing new places and getting to experience different cultures is my favorite thing. I also enjoy spending time outdoors, such as hiking, spending time by any body of water, grilling out with friends and family, or tailgating for football or baseball games. Other than that, I love going to concerts and Barre classes.
Q: What kind of work does your company do in 340B and what makes it stand out?
I work for tangoRx Solutions – an amazing 340B Services Provider that partners with Covered Entities who provide care to vulnerable patient populations. The work environment and culture at tangoRx really stands out because the entire team is so dedicated to our mission, with a sincere passion towards helping our clients get the most out of the 340B program. My colleagues and I have the opportunity to work hand-in-hand with our clients, empowering them to provide even more essential care to the patients that they serve.
Q: Why did you choose to work in the 340B space?
I spent many years working on behalf of an EMR (Electronic Medical Record) Company, focusing on implementing new technology at FQHCs. This hands-on experience afforded a firsthand vantage point and understanding of the crucial care that these clinics provided to their patients. My initial exposure to the 340B program occurred during those formative professional years. I found this personal and professional experience both instructive and inspirational. As I learned more about the value of the program and how it was connected to the clinics’ abilities to directly impact the patients they treated, I found myself increasingly intrigued. The more information that I gathered about the 340B program, the more I wanted to dive in and help make a difference. Now that I am fully immersed in this space, I find it easy to wake up and go to work every day knowing that my team and I are helping make a difference in patients’ lives.
Q: What do you feel is your most significant contribution to the 340B world or to a 340B customer/client?
TangoRx really focuses on building partnerships with and empowering the clients we work with. Our services only have meaning if they support health care providers’ ability to fulfill their core missions and do more for their patients. Those days where I am in the position to help our clients identify additional opportunities for more actualized savings, help fund essential programs, and introduce new programs that have direct patient benefits, is when I feel like I am truly making a difference. This is the kind of work and impact that motivates me specifically, as well as the rest of the tangoRx team.
Q: What advice do you have for a young professional who has recently launched a career in the 340B space?
A co-worker once told me that “340B is a thousand shades of grey” and she was spot on! At times the nuances and complexities of the program can be overwhelming, requiring you to really dig your heels in to get to the correct answers. However, the payoff for all the hard work and research, once you are able to apply the learning back and help your CE’s succeed – it’s the absolute most rewarding feeling! If you’re on a mission to make an impact and are up for a challenge, this is the place for you! The 340B Program is under constant threat from partisan forces and manufacturers’ lobbying dollars. One of the key risks to the program is complacency from those who are either not aware of it at all or don’t fully understand the importance of the program for the ongoing viability of our safety net providers. Smart, dedicated, and passionate people are needed in this industry to ensure that this program continues to thrive and expand access to care!
