Translational Health Disparities Research in a Data-Rich World

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6356140/

People experiencing health disparities, researchers, program and policy staff, and leaders addressing health policies present a spectrum of opinion about the value of big data approaches. These differing opinions range from lack of trust, to acceptance, to enthusiastic endorsement. Researchers must be cognizant and respectful of these differences because building trust is a key aspect of building a broad coalition, which is needed for successful generalizability. Moreover, researchers have the responsibility to ensure their research does not cause harm to either individuals or communities.

How Can Big Data Help to Address Health Disparities?

https://datascience.cancer.gov/news-events/blog/how-can-big-data-help-address-health-disparities

Our country is in the midst of two crises. One is the threat of the COVID-19 pandemic. The other has more historic underpinnings but is now finally receiving greater recognition—the issue of racial inequality.

Today’s Guest:

Dr. Claire Exaus earned a B. S. Pharmacy degree in 1997 from Massachusetts College of Pharmacy. Got licensed in MA and worked at Cambridge Hospital for two months then moved to FL in June of that year and took a position of staff pharmacist at a very busy CVS pharmacy then called Eckerd Drugs. Dr. Claire Exaus quickly attracted the attention of the district manager as customers called and wrote the district office of her outstanding customer service. Dr. Claire got promoted to pharmacist trainer in May 1998 and spent a month in Richmond, Virginia assisting with Rite Aid conversion to Eckerd Drugs after acquisition.

In January 2001, Dr. Claire enrolled back in school into an MBA program but quickly realized that it wasn’t for her. Her goal was to be a clinical pharmacist and instead obtained her PharmD.

Four years later in January 2005, Dr. Claire was accepted into the PharmD program at Nova Southeastern University with a concentration in Managed Care and found her footing. In May 2010, Dr. Claire graduated with Honors with her PharmD while maintaining a full-time job and caring for her new baby.

In 2007, Claire left retail pharmacy and took a position at a federally-funded HIV clinic where she provided care and education to newly diagnosed HIV patients and assisted them in getting HIV medications through patient-assisted medication programs funded by drug manufacturers. Two years later, the clinic closed due to lack of funding.

In March 2009, Claire entered the world of hospital pharmacy at Baptist Hospital in Miami, FL. It was there at that institution that her clinical formation took shape and there Dr. Claire got to fulfill her goals of honing in her clinical acumen. Always ready to learn, she was assigned to different floors and was mentored by the more experienced pharmacists. She rotated through med-surg, pediatric, pediatric oncology, surgery, emergency medicine, critical care and oncology.

She was recognized for improving SCIP score rate after 3 months on the surgery floor. She demonstrated her leadership by leading various projects to improve medication safety and employee wellness with organizing fundraising for the annual heart walk. In 2011, Dr. Claire was introduced to pharmacy informatics by participating in a project to roll out new dispensing cabinets to a new surgery wing.

The rollout was an eye opener to a new world of potentials. Shortly thereafter, Dr. Claire took a position at Palmetto Hospital as a Clinical Informatics Pharmacist as the hospital was preparing to transition from Meditech system to Cerner.

Dr. Claire volunteered to train as a super user to train others to use the system. Dr. Claire trained physicians, nurses and pharmacy staff. Learning this new skill opened the door to go back to school and obtain a degree in Healthcare Informatics.

In August 2015, Dr. Claire left Florida and moved to Massachusetts and took the position of Lead Clinical Pharmacist at Healthcare Associates. She developed a pharmacist-led prior authorization program.

In June 2019, Dr. Claire transferred to the Cancer Center where she held the title of Clinical Coordinator Oncology System Management. Currently, Dr. Claire is pursuing a Masters in Regulatory Affairs with a concentration in Health Economic Outcomes Research.