RALEIGH, N.C.— CPESN USA, a clinically integrated, nationwide organization of pharmacy networks organized to advance community-based pharmacy practice, announced  that Deborah Bowers is the winner of the 2018 CPESN Luminary-of-the-Year Award. Bowers, owner of Yorkville Pharmacy in York, S.C., and lead luminary for CPESN South Carolina is the winner of the annual award sponsored by Upsher-Smith.

Deborah Bowers

“I’m honored to be recognized by my peers and thrilled to receive this award,” stated Bowers. “I firmly believe CPESN Networks are the solution for providing quality services for our patients and sending a unified message to medical-side payers. I’m looking forward to continuing my efforts with CPESN South Carolina.”

Bowers was selected out of dozens of nominations from across America. Nominations were reviewed and voted on by a team of national CPESN luminaries. Three finalists were selected based on efforts and results in developing a local CPESN Network, such as engaging local payers and achieving network adequacy. The three finalists were:

• Bowers;

• Stephanie Smith Cooney, Pharm.D., pharmacist and president of Gatti Pharmacy in Indiana, PA., co-founder and chief executive officer of Meraki Health in Danville, PA, and luminary with Pennsylvania Pharmacists Care Network, a CPESN Network; and

• John Croce, B.S.Pharm., pharmacist and co-owner of Four Corners Pharmacy in Delmar, NY, and luminary for CPESN Upstate NY.

“Over the past year, Deborah has worked tirelessly to lead the charge in South Carolina,” said Joe Moose, director of strategy and luminary development for CPESN USA. “She’s called and recruited high-quality pharmacies into their network and orchestrated dozens of meetings and phone calls with local and regional payers to tell the story of CPESN South Carolina and what their clinically integrated network of pharmacy providers can do. Well deserved!”

CPESN Networks continue to expand across the country with 46 local networks in 41 states. These pharmacy providers have emerged and joined the movement to provide patients, physicians, and payers with enhanced medication-use and patient-care services that have been proven to improve patient health and lower healthcare costs.