Samford University's McWhorter School of Pharmacy dedicated a new RxBenefits Suite in the College of Health Sciences on Jan. 29. The event brought together leadership from RxBenefits, along with Samford University President Beck A. Taylor, Senior Associate Provost Marci Johns, Dean Michael Crouch, and McWhorter School of Pharmacy faculty, students and staff to recognize the suite's pivotal role in pharmacy education.
Founded in 1995 and headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama, RxBenefits is the leading Pharmacy Benefits Optimizer in the employee benefits industry. With more than 1,000 experts nationwide, the company helps employee benefits consultants and self-funded clients deliver affordable, best-in-class pharmacy benefits.
RxBenefits has partnered with Samford University to redesign a dedicated suite for the Population Health Outcomes rotation, providing students with advanced training in pharmacy benefits management. Additionally, the company offers a post-graduate managed care pharmacy residency program to prepare the next generation of professionals in the field.
Taylor thanked RxBenefits for their generous support and partnership, emphasizing how the new space will play a vital role in preparing students for success in the evolving world of pharmacy science.
“We are proud to be at the forefront of innovation,” said Taylor. “This unique learning experience offers real-world training, and our partnership with RxBenefits gives students access to cutting-edge practices and expertise in Pharmacy Benefits Management.”
The RxBenefits Suite serves as the home for the Population Health Outcomes rotation, a managed care-focused component of the Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience (APPE). McWhorter School of Pharmacy is the only pharmacy school in the nation to require this distinctive rotation, which provides students with hands-on experience in pharmacy benefit management and managed care pharmacy.
"I have always seen Samford as a jewel of this community, our state, and now a nationally recognized university," said Rob Gamble, RxBenefits’ chief executive officer. He noted that the university is “thriving and growing” amid an ever-changing and dynamic health care landscape.
“I’m extremely grateful to RxBenefits for their support of the School of Pharmacy and our students,” Crouch said. “This innovative collaboration uniquely helps prepare Samford pharmacy students—like no other school in the nation—for the future of pharmacy practice and population health.”
Students participating in the Population Health Outcomes rotation utilize the suite for group journal clubs, virtual meetings and their final project, called Drug-A-Minute presentations. The space also serves as a study area and interactive hub for students, fostering a supportive environment for academic success.
"This collaborative space represents a powerful union of academic excellence and industry innovation, where future pharmacists will gain transformative learning experiences that bridge pharmacy education and real-world experience in managed care and population health outcomes," said Dee Dugan, professor and chair of the Department of Pharmacy Practice, who also oversees the RxBenefits APPE rotation.
In addition to its educational role, the partnership with RxBenefits includes a post-graduate Managed Care Pharmacy Residency Program, which provides exceptional preparation for careers in managed care pharmacy.
The dedication ceremony highlighted the suite's impact on bridging the gap between academic study and professional practice, as well as the innovative opportunities it offers to pharmacy students and residents.
MORE: Learn about Samford University's McWhorter School of Pharmacy
