DISRxUPT

In this episode of DISRxUPT, hosts Justin Cole and Shannon Yarosz sit down with Dr. Tiffany Ruder, a pharmacist, hormone specialist, and founder of Better Health and Hormone Balance, to explore how pharmacists can transform women's health through education, advocacy, and holistic care. From community pharmacy to pioneering work in bioidentical hormone replacement therapy, Dr. Ruder shares her jour...

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...

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 translation...

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 healthc...

🎙️ 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 becomi...

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 d...

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...

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...

In this episode of DISRxUPT, host Justin Cole welcomes Dr. Chris Bland, a clinical professor at the University of Georgia College of Pharmacy and co-founder of Teach Me Pharm . Dr. Bland shares his unique journey into pharmacy practice and academia, highlighting his passion for innovation and mentoring the next generation of pharmacists. Dr. Bland discusses the importance of fostering a culture of...

In this episode of DISRxUPT, host Justin Cole sits down with Dr. Kelley Carlstrom , a board-certified oncology pharmacist and the CEO and founder of KelleyCPharmD . Kelley shares her journey into oncology pharmacy, inspired by her grandmother's battle with acute myeloid leukemia. She discusses the critical roles oncology pharmacists play in patient care, from ensuring safe and effective treatment...

Episode 43: Turning Tragedy into Wellness with Dr. Melissa Turner Host: Justin Cole Guest: Dr. Melissa Turner, Founder of Turnaround Wellness and Tarheel PGx Consulting Description: In this heartfelt episode of DISRxUPT, host Justin Cole sits down with Dr. Melissa Turner, a pharmacist, entrepreneur, and founder of Turnaround Wellness. Melissa shares her deeply personal journey marked by significan...

In this episode of DISRxUPT, we delve into the inspiring journey of Dr. Emmanuel Ayanjoke, founder and pharmacist at Altev Pharmacy in Avondale, Ohio. Emmanuel, affectionately known as Manny, shares his story of growing up in Nigeria, where his father and grandfather were both pharmacists. This early exposure to the world of pharmacy ignited his passion for healthcare and community service. Eventu...

Benjamin Franklin is attributed with the well-known saying, "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure." However, it often seems that our modern healthcare system focuses on the care of the sick rather than true wellness and prevention. This is something that Dr. Matthew Hermenau personally observed in his practice as a pain management pharmacy specialist. This motivated Matt to consider way...

Innovative leaders set a clear vision and empower others to bring necessary changes and new ideas to life. The profession of pharmacy needs these types of leaders, and Dr. Kimber Boothe is stepping up to fill this void. She is the founder and CEO of The Kimber Boothe Group, LLC and Pharmovation Consulting which focus on career development, strategy, and innovation within pharmacy. In this episode...

In today's healthcare system, we constantly aim to enhance quality, decrease cost, improve the patient experience, optimize the provider experience, and implement effective population health initiatives. But how do we know if these goals are met? In short, we need data, and the electronic health records used today are filled with such data. Thus, the intersection of technology with clinical experi...

The medication use process has a great impact on the world around us. For example, 40% of the world's rivers contain harmful levels of pharmaceuticals. Using one inhaler with propellant has an equivalent environmental impact as driving a gasoline-powered car over 100 miles. Billions of plastic bottles are thrown into landfills annually. Improper use and disposal of antimicrobials contribute to ant...

Primary care services around the world are suffering from a lack of resources, including the US and the UK. This growing issue requires creative problem-solving and trailblazers who will lead the necessary changes to meet the primary care needs of all patients. Enter the Pharmacy First Service, which allows patients to consult community pharmacists directly for minor ailments and short-term illnes...

For decades, the pharmaceutical industry hummed to the rhythm of small-molecule drugs - oral pills and injections that community and hospital pharmacies dispensed regularly. However, a seismic shift is underway with biologics, radionuclear agents, nanomedicines, and other novel therapeutics becoming more prevalent. At the heart of this transformation is gene therapy, poised to rewrite the score of...

Pharmacists have been identified as the most accessible healthcare professional. With this in mind, pharmacists are perfectly positioned to impact many public health problems faced today. Whether related to smoking cessation, vaccination, health screening, diagnostic testing, nutritional deficiencies, the opioid crisis, or maternal-fetal health, pharmacists can transform the health of communities...

Is pharmacogenomic testing helpful in geriatric patients? You bet, and Dr. Tamara Ruggles is leading the way in this area. Tamara is no stranger to breaking through barriers and improving patient care through entrepreneurship, innovation, collaboration, and relationship-building. She is a Board Certified Geriatric Pharmacist with over ten years of experience as a consultant pharmacist in the long-...

Pickleball is one of the newest sports that has taken the United States by storm. So what does pharmacy have to do with pickleball? Well, probably a lot more than you think! For any athlete to stay at the top of their game (including pickleballers), many factors must be considered: mental toughness, nutrition, physical training, functional movement, metabolic health, and even supplements and medic...

Most pharmacists enter the profession with a strong desire to serve the needs of people. However, few of these pharmacists are aware of opportunities to serve internationally in full-time medical missions. This service is not for the faint of heart; it requires creativity to provide care in resource-limited areas, the sacrifice of luxuries and comforts of home, the endurance of unexpected hardship...

Being an entrepreneur can be a grueling task. Long hours, sleepless nights, anxieties, and failures can take their toll. However, we all have the opportunity to leverage these challenges to learn, grow, and succeed. Casondra Seibert, PharmD, BCGP, FASCP, is evidence of just that. After completing her PharmD degree at the Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED) and completing a PGY1 residency in...

Have you ever come up with a helpful idea for yourself that also could provide value to others? That's the story of Pyrls , a new player in the drug information space. Derek Borkowski identified a personal need for a streamlined resource to identify appropriate counseling points for patients in the community pharmacy. With a lot of grit, the acquisition of new skills, and the right teammates, Dere...

Pharmacists are typically known for providing medication and clinical services. Kim Newlove breaks this mold, however, demonstrating that a career as a pharmacist can take on many different forms! Kim is not only a pharmacist, but a voice actor, podcast host, volunteer, wife, and the mother of two young men. She founded The Pharmacist's Voice® , LLC in 2017 and launched The Pharmacist’s Voice® Pod...