Pharmacists are often the first – and sometimes the only – point of contact for patients navigating treatment plans. Their clinical expertise, accessibility and compassion make them uniquely positioned to improve health outcomes and the patient experience.
Optum pharmacists support patients across the care continuum – from those with chronic conditions to behavioral health and maintenance medication needs. By bringing together all aspects of pharmacy services, our teams deliver an end-to-end, clinically driven care experience for patients and providers. This approach is helping to close gaps in care for some of the most vulnerable populations and those with barriers to care.
The pharmacists behind the care
Pharmacists deliver care in ways that are personal, innovative and deeply impactful – grounded in a shared commitment to better outcomes, improved experiences and smarter, more efficient care.
Meet Sean
When a young boy came in for a two-day treatment, Sean stepped in to ease his anxiety – connecting over shared interests like Pokémon and Stranger Things. On day two, when the patient became overwhelmed, Sean helped calm him down and refocus his energy. By the end of the visit, the patient proudly called Sean “his pharmacist” and asked him to sign his cast.
Sean is a specialty infusion pharmacist based in Raleigh, North Carolina. He supports patients with chronic and complex conditions – many of whom rely on regular IV infusions to live full, healthy lives. His work centers on immunoglobulin therapy for individuals with immunodeficiencies, helping them build the defenses their bodies lack. Sean also supports patients with gastrointestinal disorders, blood disorders like hemophilia and more.
Sean’s role has evolved far beyond dispensing. Today, he helps coordinate home infusions across 30 states, tailoring each experience to the patient’s needs.
“If someone needs help, I’ve always been the first to jump in. This role lets me do that every day and with a team that’s just as committed.”
Meet Kelsey
One moment that stands out in Kelsey’s career involves an older gentleman who was out of medication and faced multiple accessibility barriers, including transportation and language. Kelsey worked with his caregiver and Optum’s Spanish-speaking team to secure a new prescription and rush overnight delivery. The patient and his son were deeply grateful – a simple reminder of how timely support can ease stress and restore peace of mind.
Kelsey is a clinical pharmacist on the Optum Home Delivery Pharmacy growth team based in Kansas City, Missouri. She built her career helping patients navigate their pharmacy experience with ease. In her role today, she serves as interim supervisor for the Welcome Home Pharmacist Team – a group dedicated to making medication transfers seamless for new members, many of whom are elderly. Her team provides a white-glove service, handling everything from start to finish to ensure patients receive their medications without delays or confusion.
Kelsey’s role has expanded to include adherence outreach, helping patients stay on track with their medications and addressing barriers before they become problems.
“Health care can be confusing. Especially for patients managing multiple medications. If I can be a resource in a system that can feel overwhelming, that’s a win.”
Meet Blake
Blake takes the time to understand each patient’s personal challenges — and some stories stay with him. He’s heard from many who’ve faced impossible choices, like whether to pay for medication or keep the lights on. By helping remove that stress and ensure patients receive the treatment they need, Blake makes a meaningful impact every day.
As senior manager of pharmacy product at Genoa Healthcare in Chattanooga, Tennessee, Blake supports some of the most vulnerable populations: individuals living with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, substance use disorder and HIV. His focus is making sure pharmacists are equipped to deliver personalized care, including specialized services like care packaging and administering long-acting injectables (LAIs).
Blake and his team are embedded in community mental health centers, working side by side with prescribers to ensure patients receive their medication before they even leave the clinic. This model removes barriers and improves continuity of care, especially for those who rely on LAIs to stay on track with treatment.
Blake’s role has evolved with the pharmacy profession. From starting in retail at age 16 to now leading clinical innovations, he’s seen firsthand how pharmacists are stepping deeper into care delivery and are helping prescribers focus on what they do best.
“The work we do at Genoa is the most meaningful of my career. We’re helping patients who might not get help anywhere else and that’s powerful.”
Meet Carolyn
Out of all her patient interactions, it’s often the simplest moments that stand out. One patient was struggling to swallow his cancer medication and feared missing doses could affect his outcome. Carolyn listened, identified an alternative dosage form, confirmed coverage and worked with the provider to make the switch. That one change eased discomfort, improved adherence and gave the patient peace of mind.
Carolyn is a clinical pharmacist with the Oncology Center of Excellence team, based in Phoenix, Arizona. She supports oncology patients in managing their treatment plans, helping them navigate complex therapies with confidence.
Carolyn’s role has grown from a staffing pharmacist to a trusted contributor in oncological care. She now supports clinical trials and mentors future pharmacists through the PGY1 residency program.
“Whether someone is starting their first or last line of treatment, we’re here to offer stability, support and hope when it matters most.”
Meet Charlie
Early in his career, Charlie reviewed a prior authorization case for a compounded specialty medication for a newborn. The request was missing critical information and the baby’s condition required urgent attention. Charlie made multiple calls to the provider and the family, keeping the case open until he had what he needed. His persistence led to an approval – and a life-changing medication for the baby. As a new father at the time, the experience left a lasting impact on how Charlie approaches his work.
Charlie is a clinical pharmacist manager based in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, with over a decade of experience at Optum. His focus is on Medicare, where he helps members receive the right care through thoughtful implementation and oversight. Charlie also leads a team of 40 prior authorization clinical pharmacists across the country – a close-knit group he considers family, working together to deliver the best outcomes possible.
Charlie’s role has evolved from reviewing individual cases to leading large-scale Medicare initiatives that affect thousands.
“What drives me is knowing I’m contributing to something meaningful. Using evidence-based reasoning to improve access and safety is what keeps me going.”
The value of redefining pharmacy
Pharmacists are redefining care delivery, and not just by dispensing medications, but by practicing at the highest level of their expertise. At Optum Rx, we educate patients, initiate therapies, navigate coverage and financial assistance, monitor side effects and coordinate across care teams to ensure a seamless experience.
As therapies grow more complex and care needs evolve, so will our approach – ensuring our pharmacy teams remain a trusted, forward-looking partner in improving outcomes and experiences.
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