91视频 College of Pharmacy (UHCOP) alumni Mallory Gessner-Wharton, Pharm.D. ('11), M.S. ('13), BCPS, CPEL, FTSHP, and Linda Haines, Pharm.D., M.S. (鈥�11), BCPS, CPEL, FTSHP, are among a select group of American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) members to attain the Certified Pharmacy Executive Leader (CPEL) credential.
Launched in 2022, the nationally recognized credential demonstrates advanced proficiency in over 20 validated professional and leadership competencies, including strategic leadership, financial stewardship and resource optimization, talent development, purpose-driven vision and executive collaboration with internal and external stakeholders.
CPEL candidates are selected through a competitive review process including a multi-day, in-person capstone at ASHP headquarters as their final certifying event.
Both alumni of The Houston Program's Health-System Pharmacy Administration and Leadership program between UHCOP and leading Houston-area health systems, Gessner-Wharton and Haines were two of 12 pharmacy leaders to earn the credential this year.
"The bonding with the rest of the cohort was incredibly impactful,鈥� Gessner-Wharton said. 鈥淎lso, working through the cases demonstrated to myself my knowledge and ability to work through complex problems.鈥�
To qualify for the program, pharmacists also must have a minimum of five years of progressive and sustained executive leadership experience in a healthcare organization, leading the organization's decisions involving operations, policies, programs and services.
鈥淧articipating in the CPEL program was a transformative experience,鈥� Haines said. 鈥淚t offered meaningful opportunities to learn from and collaborate with exceptional pharmacy leaders nationwide while pushing me to further develop my own leadership capabilities. The insights, skills, and tools I gained have significantly elevated my pharmacy leadership practice.鈥�
Gessner-Wharton has been with HCA Houston Healthcare Kingwood for 13 years, including 10 years as director of pharmacy. An active member of the Texas Society of Health-System Pharmacy, including past service as treasurer, Gessner-Wharton has been recognized as a Fellow of TSHP and recipient of the 2024 Joyce Tipton Leadership Lecture Award and the 2021 Pharmacy Leadership Award. She also is a past president of the Gulf Coast Society of Health-System Pharmacists (GCSHP).
Haines 鈥� a member of THP鈥檚 inaugural class 鈥� has worked at Houston Methodist Hospital for more than 15 years, serving as director of pharmacy services for the past year. Her past health-system pharmacy leadership positions include TSHP treasurer, new practitioner section chair and new practitioner mentor/mentee program chair as well as GCSHP membership secretary. A TSHP Fellow, she received the TSHP Pharmacy Leadership Award in 2017 and THP鈥檚 Roger W. Anderson Leadership Award in 2021.