In this episode of DISRxUPT, host Justin Cole and new co-host Shannon Yarosz sit down with Dr. Hillary Blackburn — pharmacist, healthcare leader, author, and founder of the Talk to Your Pharmacist podcast — to explore how purpose, advocacy, and innovation intersect in modern pharmacy practice.

Recently appointed to the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), Dr. Blackburn shares her journey from small-town Mississippi to national leadership, discussing how pharmacists can drive equitable access, lead with empathy, and innovate in patient-centered care.

Path to Purpose

• Early experiences in policy through internships on Capitol Hill and with HRSA’s Office of Pharmacy Affairs
• How rural roots and family values inspired a lifelong commitment to service
• The importance of relationships and trust in advancing healthcare innovation

Medication Access & Affordability

• Lessons from leading Dispensary of Hope and building national medication access programs
• Addressing systemic barriers—cost, fragmentation, and inequity—through creative partnerships
• Integrating affordability and access initiatives within large health systems at Ascension Rx

Advocacy & Innovation

• Current efforts to advance a CMS “wellness navigator” role for pharmacists
• Bridging policy and practice to highlight pharmacists as essential providers
• Using data and outcomes research to sustain access programs

Entrepreneurship & Leadership

• Building the Talk to Your Pharmacist podcast and reaching global audiences
• Encouraging pharmacists to take bold steps—write, speak, start new ventures
• Insights from her book How Pharmacists Lead: Answers from Women Who Are Leading, Succeeding, and Impacting Pharmacy
• Common leadership themes: creativity, empathy, collaboration, and resilience

Personal Journey & Perspective

• Lessons from caregiving for her mother during a cancer journey
• The human side of healthcare: advocacy, persistence, and empathy in action
• Finding balance through seasons of life, prioritization, and supportive networks

The Future of Pharmacy

• The rise of AI-enabled care navigation and pharmacist-led value-based care
• Innovations in digital health, food-as-medicine programs, and affordability technology
• A call for pharmacists to lead in prevention and chronic disease management
• Envisioning a future where pharmacists are fully integrated, reimbursed providers

Notable Quotes

“It really changes you when you’re navigating serious illness for a loved one. It deepens your empathy and your urgency to fix what’s broken in healthcare.”

“Pharmacists are great problem-solvers. We need to be bold in creating the future of care - one where no patient has to choose between their medicine and their basic needs.”

Advice for Future Pharmacists

• Embrace adaptability and entrepreneurial thinking
• Develop skills beyond traditional pharmacy training - informatics, business, policy
• Seek mentors and professional involvement early
• Stay curious and connected to community needs

Looking Ahead
Dr. Blackburn envisions a healthcare future where pharmacists are key drivers of prevention, affordability, and innovation. Her story demonstrates how leadership, empathy, and initiative can transform access and outcomes for patients everywhere.

About the Guest: Dr. Hillary Blackburn serves as Director of Medication Access and Affordability at Ascension Rx, is founder and host of the Talk to Your Pharmacist podcast, and author of How Pharmacists Lead. She recently joined the CDC’s ACIP, representing pharmacy at the highest level of public-health decision-making.

Hosts: Justin Cole and Shannon Yarosz, Cedarville University Center for Pharmacy Innovation
Episode Length: 43 minutes
Release Date: October 2025
Episode Number: 52

Subscribe to DISRxUPT wherever you get your podcasts and visit cedarville.edu/pharmacy for more insights into innovation in pharmacy education and practice.

In this episode of DISRxUPT, host Justin Cole welcomes Dr. Shannon Yarosz, pharmacist, educator, and innovator, for a conversation about her journey from patient care at Nationwide Children’s Hospital to her new role as faculty at Cedarville University. Known for her award-winning work building patient-centered medication programs and her dual master’s degrees in clinical research and translational pharmacology, Shannon brings both expertise and empathy to every role she takes on. This episode also marks an exciting milestone: Dr. Yarosz will be joining DISRxUPT as a new co-host!

Career Journey & Calling

• From microbiology roots to PharmD at The Ohio State University
• Building programs at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, including medication delivery initiatives
• Receiving the Employee of the Year award for her impact across the health system
• Discovering a calling to academia and teaching through precepting and mentoring students

Innovation & Research

• Translating research into real-world practice improvements
• Pursuing dual master’s degrees while balancing family and career
• The importance of identifying needs and testing innovative solutions in everyday practice
• A passion for neurology and clinical research that continues to shape her vision

Faith & Purpose

• How faith guided her career decisions and brought her full circle to academia
• The opportunity to integrate faith and teaching at Cedarville University
• Finding joy and perspective through volunteering with Make-A-Wish and Awana

Advice for Students & Young Pharmacists

• Don’t limit yourself—look for unmet needs wherever you are
• Take small steps: ask questions, propose solutions, and build relationships
• Recognize that innovation can grow out of everyday problem-solving

Looking Ahead
Dr. Yarosz shares her excitement to co-host DISRxUPT, bringing encouragement, positivity, and a passion for people to conversations about pharmacy innovation, research, and the changing landscape of healthcare.

About the Guest: Dr. Shannon Yarosz is assistant professor of pharmacy practice at Cedarville University. She previously served at Nationwide Children’s Hospital and The Ohio State University Student Health Center, where she developed innovative medication programs, advanced research initiatives, and mentored pharmacy students. She holds a PharmD and dual master’s degrees in clinical research and translational pharmacology.

Host: Justin Cole, Cedarville University Center for Pharmacy Innovation
Episode Length: 32 minutes
Release Date: September 16, 2025
Episode Number: 51

In this milestone 50th episode of DISRxUPT, host Justin Cole sits down with Dr. Michael Hogue, CEO and Executive Vice President of the American Pharmacists Association (APhA), for an in-depth conversation about the future of pharmacy practice. As the 15th CEO of APhA, Dr. Hogue shares his bold vision for transforming how pharmacists deliver patient care and achieve recognition as essential healthcare providers.

Vision for Pharmacy's Future

• Ensuring consumer access to pharmacist care services regardless of location
• Moving beyond traditional dispensing roles to focus on patient outcomes
• The critical need for pharmacists to take personal responsibility for medication therapy outcomes

Strategic Priorities & Policy Changes

• Advocating for payment parity between pharmacists and other healthcare providers
• Implementing standard of care practice models across all 50 states
• Working with insurance companies to onboard pharmacists as reimbursed providers
• Moving away from restrictive "can do/can't do" pharmacy practice acts

Addressing Healthcare Challenges

• Tackling the growing pharmacy desert crisis affecting communities nationwide
• Supporting overwhelmed community pharmacists facing unprecedented volume pressures
• Leveraging technology and automation to improve efficiency and safety

Innovation & Technology

• Embracing AI for predictive analytics and patient prioritization
• Implementing tech-check-tech models to free pharmacists for clinical care
• Balancing technological advancement with maintaining the human element of patient care

Professional Unity & Collaboration

• Working to unify pharmacy's many voices into a single, powerful advocacy force
• Collaborating across all national pharmacy organizations
• Examples of successful interprofessional care models already in practice

Notable Quotes

"For every $1 we're spending on medicine, we're spending a dollar and 55¢ on resolving medication-related problems. That's almost $600 million a year in the United States getting spent on medication-related problems. Somebody has to solve those problems."

"We've got to become accountable for the outcomes of our patients, the medication outcomes of our patients... Not just simply putting pills in a bottle, but saying this is my patient, and the outcomes of this patient are my responsibility."

Advice for Future Pharmacists

• Take pride in being a doctor of pharmacy, regardless of practice setting
• Consider opportunities in healthcare policy, including positions on Capitol Hill
• Stay engaged with professional organizations throughout your career
• Embrace technology while focusing on the clinical expertise that makes pharmacists unique

Looking Ahead

Dr. Hogue predicts that within ten years, pharmacists will routinely receive payment for care services, with community pharmacy revenue shifting from prescription dispensing to clinical care. He envisions a future where pharmacists are embedded in healthcare teams across all settings, recognized and compensated for their expertise in optimizing medication therapy outcomes.

About the Guest: Dr. Michael Hogue is CEO and Executive Vice President of the American Pharmacists Association and a nationally recognized leader with over 25 years of experience in community pharmacy, academia, and health policy. He has been instrumental in expanding pharmacist-administered immunizations and served as a key advisor during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Host: Justin Cole, Cedarville University Center for Pharmacy Innovation

Episode Length: 47 minutes
Release Date: August 15, 2025
Episode Number: 50

Subscribe to DISRxUPT wherever you get your podcasts and visit cedarville.edu/pharmacy for more information about innovation in pharmacy education and practice.

🎙️ Episode 49: The Purpose-Driven Pharmacist | Katrina Azer

In this inspiring episode of DISRxUPT, host Dr. Justin Cole sits down with Katrina Azer—a pharmacist, entrepreneur, educator, and global thought leader in precision medicine. Joining us from New Zealand, Katrina shares her remarkable journey from community pharmacy burnout to founding the Australasian Precision Medicine Academy and becoming a leading voice in pharmacogenomics.

💡 What You'll Learn in This Episode:

• How Katrina’s personal health crisis sparked her passion for pharmacogenomics
• The power of curiosity and faith in shaping a nontraditional pharmacy career
• Why pharmacists must lead the charge in precision medicine and digital health
• The importance of purpose-driven work and aligning your career with your calling
• How Katrina integrates her Christian faith into her professional identity and content
• Her vision for the future of pharmacy in the age of AI and digital transformation
• A sneak peek into her upcoming book for pharmacists “called to more”

Katrina’s story is a powerful reminder that pharmacists are more than their white coats—they are educators, innovators, and purpose-driven leaders. Whether you're a student, practicing pharmacist, or healthcare professional, this episode will challenge and encourage you to think bigger about your role in healthcare.

🔗 Connect with Katrina Azer:

• Website: katrinaazer.com
• LinkedIn: Katrina Azer on LinkedIn

📢 Subscribe & Share: If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and share DISRxUPT with your network. Let’s continue to disrupt pharmacy for good!

Episode 48 – The Pharmacist Coach: Christina Fontana

Guest: Dr. Christina Fontana
Host: Dr. Justin Cole
Presented by: Cedarville University Center for Pharmacy Innovation

🎧 Episode Summary:

In this inspiring episode of DISRxUPT, Dr. Justin Cole sits down with Dr. Christina Fontana—licensed pharmacist, author, and transformational coach—known widely as The Pharmacist Coach. Christina shares her deeply personal and professional journey from growing up in her father’s Long Island pharmacy to founding a thriving coaching business that integrates holistic health, faith, and entrepreneurship.

Listeners will hear how Christina’s early experiences, personal challenges, and unwavering faith shaped her mission to help others heal and thrive. She opens up about pivotal moments in her life, including overcoming trauma, embracing uncertainty, and building a business rooted in service and spiritual purpose.

💡 Key Topics Covered:

• Christina’s entrepreneurial roots and early pharmacy influences
• Navigating personal trauma and transformation through faith
• Transitioning from traditional pharmacy to holistic coaching
• Building a sustainable business with energy and strategy
• The power of mentorship, mindset, and “needle movers”
• Faith as the foundation for personal and professional growth
• Success stories from Christina’s clients and her vision for the future
• Her TED Talk aspirations and the message behind “The Prescription for Thriving After Trauma”

🔗 Resources & Links:

• Website: pharmacistcoach.com
• Instagram: @thepharmacistcoach
• Facebook Group: Monetize Your Magic
• YouTube: Christina Fontana on YouTube

🙌 Connect with Us: If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with others in your network. For more information about the Cedarville University Center for Pharmacy Innovation, visit cedarville.edu/pharmacyinnovation.

In this inspiring episode of DISRxUPT, host Dr. Justin Cole sits down with Dr. Lydia Bailey, Pharmacy Operations Manager at the St. Vincent de Paul Charitable Pharmacy in Cincinnati, Ohio. Recently honored with the Albert B. Prescott Pharmacy Leadership Award, Lydia shares her remarkable journey from uncertain pharmacy student to nationally recognized leader in underserved care.

💊 What You'll Learn in This Episode:

• Lydia’s unconventional path into pharmacy and how a mission trip to Pakistan reshaped her vision for faith-driven healthcare.
• The inner workings of a charitable pharmacy—what it is, how it operates, and why it’s a vital safety net for underserved populations.
• How Lydia and her team deliver outcomes-based care that prioritizes patient health over prescription volume.
• The story behind Ohio House Bill 558, a groundbreaking law Lydia helped pass to allow personal medication donations—dramatically improving access to life-saving medications like insulin and inhalers.
• The power of student involvement and mentorship in expanding pharmacy services and shaping future leaders.
• How Lydia integrates her Christian faith into patient care and leadership, creating a compassionate, purpose-driven practice.

📈 Whether you're a pharmacy student, healthcare professional, or someone passionate about community impact, Lydia’s story is a powerful example of how innovation, advocacy, and faith can come together to transform lives.

🔗 Resources & Mentions:

• St. Vincent de Paul Charitable Pharmacy
• Albert B. Prescott Pharmacy Leadership Award
• Ohio House Bill 558 (Medication Donation Law)

📬 Connect with Us: If you’re interested in volunteering, learning more about charitable pharmacy, or connecting with Lydia’s team, reach out via the St. Vincent de Paul Charitable Pharmacy website or contact the Cedarville University Center for Pharmacy Innovation.

In this episode of DISRxUPT, host Justin Cole welcomes Dr. Kevin Walker, a leader in medication optimization, clinical technology, and care transformation. Kevin shares his unique journey from growing up on the Yakima Reservation to becoming a pharmacist and innovator in the health care technology space.

Join us as we explore Kevin's insights on the role of pharmacists in promoting holistic health, the importance of culturally relevant care, and the exciting future of health tech. From medically tailored meals to digital biomarkers, Kevin discusses how technology can enhance patient engagement and adherence, and ultimately make care more human.

Tune in to hear about the challenges and opportunities in the current health care system, and how incremental changes can lead to significant improvements. Whether you're a healthcare professional or simply interested in the intersection of technology and health, this episode is packed with valuable perspectives and inspiring stories.

You can also learn more about some of Kevin's work here:

• The Med List Podcast
• Cedar Lake Health