Q&A with Razanne Oueini and Jasmine Perry

The PQA Postdoctoral Executive Fellowship helps produce the next generation of leaders in health care quality through a full-time, 12-month program. Executive Fellows collaborate with PQA staff, members and other stakeholders on a variety of initiatives to improve medication use quality. During the fellowship, individuals will expand their skills and experience in project management, quality measure design and implementation, non-profit administration and association management, and health care quality research. 

PQA welcomed two fellows, Razanne Oueini and Jasmine Perry, in June for the 2022-23 year. Learn more about them in this Q&A. The application window for the 2023-24 fellow cycle will open in September.  Learn more about Razanne and Jasmine in their introductory blog.

Razanne OueiniRazanne Oueini, PharmD, MSc

Is there a specific initiative you’re tackling or an area where you’re looking to make a particular mark?

I serve primarily on PQA's Performance Measurement Team (PMT) where I am able to contribute to various performance measurement and measure development projects. I am particularly excited to be involved with PQA's efforts to expand our work on pharmacy performance measures, which includes several upcoming pilot projects.

As a recent PharmD program graduate, what do today’s students need to know about quality?

While the focus in pharmacy school tends to be on learning clinical content, it is important to continually question and assess the quality of clinical practice standards to identify where improvements can be made. Work in healthcare quality and the implementation of quality measures give us the ability to ensure that best practices are being carried out and that patients are ultimately receiving the best care. Students should know that quality can be evaluated at every level of care, from a single clinic or pharmacy to a large national health plan. As pharmacists, we can play critical roles in promoting high-quality care by leveraging our expertise and continually seeking to make improvements.

Where would you like to see yourself in five years?

I hope to be in a role where I can continue to impact healthcare quality. It is possible that both healthcare and healthcare quality will look quite different five years from now, so I would like to be working with an organization that understands the evolving healthcare landscape and is dedicated to putting patients at the forefront. During my year as an Executive Fellow at PQA, I plan to learn and absorb much more about the many opportunities to work within this space; I am thankful to have a supportive environment that is willing to help connect me with organizations doing work that I am passionate about.

As you look at the pharmacy profession and the field of quality improvement, who are the leaders you hope to follow or emulate in your own career?

While I am still getting my feet wet in the field of quality improvement, I am inspired daily by the dedication and diligence of my colleagues at PQA. I admire our team's commitment to inclusion and equity both within PQA's work and culture, as well as the openness to hear from members and improve our own practices. Our CEO, Micah Cost, leads PQA with genuine enthusiasm and humility. I hope to be able to emulate his leadership in my own career as it is evident that he – and PQA – are highly respected in the field of quality and in the pharmacy profession.

Tell us something interesting about yourself that’s not work related.

I studied music as an undergrad and am a classically trained oboist. I also served as the Drum Major of my university's 375-member marching band!

Jasmine Perry

Jasmine Perry, PharmD, BS

Is there a specific initiative you’re tackling or an area where you’re looking to make a particular mark?

 

Prior to becoming one of the PQA Executive Fellows, my passion to serve underserved communities was demonstrated through organizational leadership, internships and community service. In my current role, my goal is to continue my passion by working on the second edition of the Social Determinants of Health Resource Guide. I've begun the process of getting involved with the project, and I'm excited to continue highlighting the work being done by various organizations to have true impact on pharmacy quality. 

 

Beyond working on the SDOH Resource Guide, I am also excited to work with the next generation of pharmacy quality professionals through precepting students. Under the leadership of our Director of Education, I am confident I will learn a lot of information about teaching students the importance of pharmacy quality and the US healthcare system.

 

As a recent PharmD program graduate, what do today’s students need to know about quality?

 

During pharmacy school, healthcare quality was intertwined into the educational curriculum. At the time, I did not analyze the magnitude of seeing quality discussed across various aspects of pharmacy practice. Looking back on my education, I now understand that my university's curriculum allowed me to see the many intersections of quality in nearly every aspect of pharmacy.

 

Today's pharmacy students should know that no matter their future career goal, healthcare quality will be involved. The transition from volume to value-based care is in full swing, and with the distinct skills of pharmacists as medication experts, we will become more and more involved in the holistic care of our patients.

 

Where would you like to see yourself in five years?

 

Pharmacy is a profession filled with lifelong learners. As a pharmacist, I am no different. While I am confident that I want to be a quality leader in pharmacy, I am unsure of the specific capacity. My current plan is to pursue a career in project management at a life sciences organization post-fellowship; however, during my time with PQA, I plan to explore a number of career options by meeting with pharmacists in various roles.

 

As you look at the pharmacy profession and the field of quality improvement, who are the leaders you hope to follow or emulate in your own career?

 

As a black woman in pharmacy, many of my leadership inspirations are trailblazers who have paved the way for underrepresented minorities. Mary Munson Runge is one of those women. Her history making leadership in association management and work to serve underserved communities is truly motivating to me as a young pharmacist. Her focus on medication access for patients of low socioeconomic status was monumental. Her work in the political arena is yet another example of her work to improve the profession of pharmacy.

 

Micah Cost's leadership is one of the many reasons I was drawn to continue my career with PQA. His authenticity and genuine investment in the future of the pharmacy profession are key characteristics I aim to emulate in my own career. Beyond his ability to lead, I truly appreciate his investment in ensuring that the future of pharmacy is bright by engaging with student pharmacists. I also aim to emulate his ability to create true connections with everyone I encounter.

 

Tell us something interesting about yourself that’s not work related.

 

My graduation gift to myself was a bichon frisé and toy poodle mix puppy named Blue. Being a puppy parent keeps me busy outside my time at PQA. Outside of being a puppy mom, I truly enjoy spending time with my family to recharge.

 

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