June 2021 Diplomat Spotlight: Angelica Asadi, PharmD 

Diplomat at University of Houston

How did you become involved in AMCP?   
I was fortunate to be introduced to AMCP early in my pharmacy career as a first-year pharmacy student. Through local involvement, regional and national events, I created a remarkable network of mentors who helped shape my professional growth for a career in managed care.  
  
What interested you the most about managed care and ultimately led you to pursue a career in managed care pharmacy?  
What first sparked my interest was the versatility and unique utilization of a pharmacist's skillsets in various settings. The more I learned about managed care and its impact on every individual seeking health care, the more I realized it was the correct path for me.   
  
What was your first job or position in managed care?  
My first official work experience in managed care was post my graduation from the PGY-1 Managed Care Pharmacy Residency at Kelsey-Seybold Clinic, where I stayed on working with the organization's 5-Star Medicare Advantage health plan KelseyCare Advantage. I currently work as a health plan pharmacist, where my role consists of Medicare Part D compliance and operations oversight and administration and PBM oversight. I also serve as a Kelsey-Seybold Clinic PGY-1 Managed Care Residency Program Coordinator (RPC).  
  
What does a typical day or week look like in your current role?  
What drew me to a career in managed care and health plan operations was the fact that no two days are the same, which certainly rings true. Working for a Medicare Advantage health plan, a typical week consists of reviewing new Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) guidance and interpreting its impact on operational workflow; reviewing quality performance measures, and ensuring all processes are in place to excel in performance and services provided; and staying updated with new rules and legislation. Additionally, I work closely with our delegated Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM) to ensure compliance with CMS regulations and our organization's expectations. What I love about this role is that all daily functions are done to guarantee member satisfaction and confidence in their health plan.  
  
What type of interactions have you had with your AMCP student chapter or school of pharmacy?  
I'm fortunate to be able to serve as the diplomat for my alma mater, the University of Houston, where I am still connected with many faculty members and the AMCP organization advisors. My interactions with the college include providing mentorship for the local P&T competition, serving as a P&T competition judge, assisting with local and regional educational events, and assisting chapter leaders with finding appropriate resources and contacts for various events. I also aim to help integrate managed care in the pharmacy school experience by assisting with lectures and educational experiences at the college.  
  
Words of advice?  
Always be curious and ask questions! Learning what you are or aren't passionate about in life and your career will help you become an excellent practitioner, so don't be afraid of meeting new people in the field and asking them what they love about their job.