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On a recent episode of the Pharmacy Innovators Podcast, Sam Wetherill emerges not just as a health system leader, but as a strategist shaped by service, discipline, and a deep commitment to patient care. Now serving as Chief Pharmacy Officer at Penn State Health, Sam’s journey—from military deployments to executive leadership—frames a compelling story of resilience and innovation in pharmacy.
Penn State Health
Sam’s leadership style is rooted in his military background: build a plan, trust your team, and execute with precision. These principles have guided his approach to navigating complex challenges, including system integration, workforce shortages, and evolving reimbursement models. But one area where his leadership stands out most is in optimizing the 340B program.
For Sam, 340B is more than a cost-saving mechanism—it’s essential to sustaining patient care. He emphasizes that without it, many health systems would struggle to maintain services, particularly in underserved communities. His approach offers several best practices for covered entities:
First, expand strategically. Sam highlights the importance of growing contract pharmacy networks and ensuring all eligible outpatient locations are properly registered. This maximizes savings while maintaining compliance.
Second, stay audit-ready. With Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) audits always on the horizon, Sam underscores the need for continuous internal review and documentation. Preparation isn’t a one-time effort—it’s an ongoing discipline.
Third, engage in advocacy. Sam and his team actively collaborate with government affairs groups to ensure their voice is heard on legislative changes, especially around rebate models that could add administrative burden and delay savings.
Finally, leverage data and technology. Whether it’s expanding specialty pharmacy services or preparing for Epic software implementation, Sam stresses the importance of using data to drive decisions and standardize care across the system.
At the heart of it all is Sam’s belief in people. He consistently points to the value of empowering teams, fostering collaboration, and investing in the next generation of pharmacy professionals.
In a rapidly changing healthcare landscape, Sam Wetherill’s story is a reminder that strong leadership—grounded in purpose and adaptability—can transform challenges into opportunities.
To hear more from Sam, listen to this Visante Pharmacy Innovators podcast episode now.
