Welcome to the Hearts Behind Your Health!
Introducing the Hearts Behind Your Health! Each week, you’ll meet one of our associates and get a glimpse into the dedication, passion and extreme care they provide to support our patients in all areas of business. Our associates inspire us every day with their dedication and expertise, allowing Lumicera to deliver best health outcomes. We hope you enjoy hearing their stories!
đź’•Our Heartsđź’•
Brandon Raynor, Product Manager, Accreditation
Give an example of how your work makes a real difference.
My work directly impacts patient care by ensuring our teams adhere to URAC and ACHC accreditation standards. These standards aren’t just regulatory; they establish a framework for safe, consistent, and high-quality pharmacy operations. By maintaining compliance, we reduce risk, protect therapy integrity, and create processes that help patients access the right treatment at the right time in the safest way possible.
What drives you to do this work everyday?
I’m motivated by the understanding that accreditation is far more than a checkbox; it is a foundation for patient safety and quality care. Every compliant process we implement reduces risk and strengthens the systems that support better outcomes. Knowing that my role in driving accreditation not only ensures compliance but also expands access to critical medications keeps me focused and passionate about continuous improvement. Ultimately, this work helps patients receive life-changing therapies safely and on time.
What does putting patients first look like in your role?
Putting patients first in my role means creating an environment where quality and safety guide every decision. While ensuring our teams remain compliant with URAC and ACHC standards, I also prioritize collaboration through quality committee meetings. These meetings bring the right stakeholders together to identify gaps, share insights, and implement process improvements that directly enhance patient safety and the quality of care. By fostering alignment and building forums for meaningful discussion, we keep patients at the center of everything we do.
Give an example of how your work makes a real difference.
I have seen firsthand how asking that additional insurance question or taking a second look at a copay can be the difference between a patient being able to afford their copay or not. When we ask a patient if their insurance has changed and they say yes, we are able to gather new billing information and process it accordingly. If we fail to ask this, the patient may simply think their medication is not covered or affordable.
What drives you to do this work everyday?
Specialty pharmacy billing is not something most people understand in depth. Add health issues, high-cost medications, and personal finances to the mix and it would seem like a recipe for disaster—but it doesn’t have to be. I love knowing that the work we do here can bridge that gap for patients in a way they may not be able to do on their own….or even at another pharmacy. We really can be the difference between a patient staying on their medication or not, and it is very rewarding to see that in action.
What does putting patients first look like in your role?
Putting patients first means ensuring they have all of the tools and resources needed to access their medication by reducing financial barriers. This looks like aiding in copay assistance enrollment, investigating high copays, reaching out to insurance companies, and explaining all billing options in an easy-to-understand manner.
Katie Runde, Senior Manager, Patient Services Opperations
Nguyen Tran, Clinical Consultation Pharmacist II
Give an example of how your work makes a real difference.
I became a pharmacist in order to help people and make a difference with their health. I love building a strong rapport with patients in order to establish trust between the patient and pharmacy. I remember speaking with a new patient’s mom who was transitioning pharmacies and was frustrated / having a difficult time with understanding our processes, expectations, and communication. Being a parent myself, I could relate to her frustration and wanted to be able to explain to her the process going on from our side. After discussing the steps involved – I had made a plan to follow up with her before and post delivery to ensure a smooth transitional process. I reassured her that I would do everything I could to get her son’s prescription out as soon and safely as possible. They had greatly appreciated the compassion and follow through after the process was explained. Despite a rough start with our pharmacy – having been able to build that rapport with the patient’s mom had changed a frustrated relationship to a trusted one.
What drives you to do this work everyday?
I love what I do as a pharmacist. My passion is being able to help patients understand their medication and help them in their treatment journey. Being able to see patients transition from initially doing poorly with their condition to seeing them thrive and exclaiming “this has been a miracle drug” warms my heart. Knowing my work makes a difference is what excites me as a pharmacist.
What does putting patients first look like in your role?
As a pharmacist – I empathize with patients and offer assistance the same way I would want if I were in their shoes. During clinical assessments – I always actively listen to patient concerns and show empathy. Then – together I go over information with them and ensure understanding of the material. In the end – I check if the patient has any questions or concerns and reassure them that we are available to them at anytime. I feel like this philosophy shows patients the dedication, compassion, and knowledge behind our work and team.
Give an example of how your work makes a real difference.
I often speak with patients who have faced significant challenges in accessing their medications. Each person’s journey is unique, and I approach every interaction with empathy and respect for their circumstances. I listen to truly understand and do everything I can to help. When I’m able to remove barriers, provide guidance that makes a meaningful impact, or ensure a patient feels heard and supported—that’s when I know I’ve made a real difference. Those moments are what make my work deeply rewarding.
What drives you to do this work everyday?
I’ve been a pharmacist for 14 years, and if I had to choose again, I would take the same path without hesitation.
What does putting patients first look like in your role?
For me, putting patients first means giving them my full attention and treating each one as if they were a member of my own family. I strive to go above and beyond by having genuine, meaningful conversations and ensuring every patient feels supported, informed, and confident throughout their health journey.
Dréa Peña Béland, Clinical Outcomes Pharmacist
Amanda Karsten, Team Lead, Specialty Pharmacy Intake
Give an example of how your work makes a real difference.
Being able to process oncology prescriptions quickly is so important. Often times, the prescriptions that are sent to us are needed urgently and postponing treatment can have a negative effect on the patient, potentially prolonging hospital stays or having to miss days of treatment. I never want any part of the intake process to be a preventable reason for delays.
What drives you to do this work everyday?
I have lost a number of family members to their cancer diagnoses, most notably my maternal grandmother from uterine cancer and my father very recently from prostate cancer. My mother-in-law has dealt with breast cancer twice and thankfully is in remission. I know not every outcome will be positive, but the hope that whatever small part I play in the treatment process will make a difference is what made me want to be a part of the oncology team.
What does putting patients first look like in your role?
Prioritizing oncology prescriptions and making sure they are typed and gotten to the pharmacists with as low of a turnaround time as we can, so patients or caregivers can order the medications as hassle-free as possible. They should not have to worry about anything other than calling us.
Give an example of how your work makes a real difference.
Being behind the scenes with making sure the patient is getting the right dose for an oncology med to avoid complications and maximize treatment. Educating patients during their most challenging moments is particularly rewarding!
What drives you to do this work everyday?
Keeping patients educated, safe and improving their health! It’s especially impactful when I see positive treatment outcomes and improved quality of life in our patients.
What does putting patients first look like in your role?
Empowering patients to ensure sure they feel heard and taking those extra steps to help with questions or concerns. My goal is to bring positivity to the treatment process!
Jennifer Drum, Clinical Consultation Pharmacist
Brandon Corpening, Senior Manager, Clinical Operations
Give an example of how your work makes a real difference.
As a Sr. Manager of Clinical Operations, I am passionate about bridging the gap between innovative therapies and the patients who need them most. Every day, I oversee prescription workflows across all stages of dispensing, ensuring accuracy, efficiency, and exceptional patient care. I collaborate closely with pharmaceutical manufacturers to secure access to limited distribution drugs, enabling health system partners to retain patients within their care network and deliver a personalized experience from diagnosis through delivery. My work empowers providers to offer cutting-edge treatments while improving continuity of care and outcomes.
What drives you to do this work everyday?
I’m motivated by the opportunity to make a tangible difference in patient lives. Every decision I make—whether improving prescription workflows or negotiating access to limited distribution drugs—directly impacts someone’s ability to receive timely, life-changing therapy. Knowing that my work helps health systems deliver personalized care and keep patients within trusted networks inspires me to push for operational excellence and innovative solutions every day.
What does putting patients first look like in your role?
Putting patients first means ensuring timely access to life-changing therapies, removing barriers to care, and delivering a personalized experience from diagnosis through delivery. It’s about advocating for patients by collaborating with manufacturers, health systems, and providers to secure access to limited distribution drugs, streamline workflows, and maintain continuity of care. Every decision I make is guided by one principle: improving outcomes and creating a healthcare experience where patients feel supported, informed, and prioritized.
More Hearts Coming Soon!
Stay tuned for more #HeartsBehindYourHealth associate spotlights!
