Peak Vista Vice President Of Pharmacy Services Achieves 340B Expert Designation By Apexus (Photo) -01/16/25

PRESS RELEASE

January 16, 2025

 

 

Colorado Springs, Colo.  –  Vice President of Pharmacy Services at Peak Vista Community Health Centers (Peak Vista), Katie Boudreaux, PharmD, 340B ACE, completed the Apexus Advanced 340B Operations Certificate Program and is now recognized as a 340B Apexus Certified Expert (ACE) in the 340B Drug Pricing Program.

 

The 340B Program is a federal drug discount program that permits eligible hospitals, community health centers and clinics to purchase outpatient prescription drugs at significantly reduced discounts to extend their scarce federal resources within their communities. The program is critical to generating savings for America’s safety-net hospitals to provide programs and services for poor and underserved patients.

 

“The 340B Program is indispensable. It allows our patients to afford the medications they need when they may not have been able to otherwise,” says Peak Vista President & CEO, Dr. Emily Ptaszek. “This certification ensures that Peak Vista will maintain a fully compliant program and become advocates and leaders in the 340B space – protecting and preserving our patients’ access to life-saving medications.”

 

The Apexus Advanced 340B Operations Certificate Program offers specialized training for 340B eligible hospitals, community health centers and other stakeholders, and was designed to address the 340B Program’s most complex situations for all 340B participants. The curriculum provides an in-depth review of policy around 340B requirements and guidance on how to apply that policy in support of 340B operational integrity. The education series evaluates decision points, potential compliance challenges and audit areas of focus for each topic. The modules also provide real case situations that teach learners how to turn 340B policy into practice. This is the highest standard of 340B learning available.

 

“The 340B Program is infinitely complicated, and one misstep can completely remove your organization from the program for several months – leaving your patients without the medications they need,” says Boudreaux. “While the process to gain this certification was difficult, it was necessary to provide the highest standard of care to our community.”

 

Boudreaux joined Peak Vista in 2017 and is the first person at the organization to earn this distinction. She earned her Doctor of Pharmacy from Southwestern Oklahoma State

 

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University and later completed an accredited residency program in Pharmacotherapy. Boudreaux leads Peak Vista’s two in-house pharmacy locations, which filled more than 115,000 prescriptions in 2023.

 

About Peak Vista Community Health Centers

Peak Vista Community Health Centers is a nonprofit organization providing exceptional health care to people facing access barriers through clinical programs and education. Celebrating over 50 years of community health service, Peak Vista offers primary medical, integrated behavioral health and dental care services. We proudly serve over 74,000 patients annually through 23 outpatient centers in Colorado’s Pikes Peak and East Central regions. To learn more about Peak Vista, visit peakvista.org.

 

About Apexus

Apexus is a national leader in providing innovative solutions for the nation’s safety net community. We collaborate with key industry stakeholders and identify marketplace opportunities in contracting to improve medication access, compliance, and education. These infrastructures enable health care providers to effectively serve their patients across the continuum of care. More information about the Apexus Advanced 340B Operations Certificate Program is accessible at www.apexus.com/certificate.

 

 

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Dr. Emily Ptaszek Announces Resignation As President And CEO Of Peak Vista Community Health Centers (Photo) -01/10/25

Colorado Springs, Colo. – The Board of Directors of Peak Vista Community Health Centers (Peak Vista) is deeply saddened to announce Dr. Emily Ptaszek has chosen not to renew her three-year contract as president and CEO. She will remain in her position through the end of March. Ptaszek is transitioning to a leadership role in health care consulting, one that will allow her to make a broader impact across the industry and will remain in Colorado Springs. The Board of Directors is very grateful for her collaboration, partnership and counsel during this critical transition for the organization.

 

Ptaszek’s decision to step down follows a successful three-year tenure with the organization and 12 years in community health leadership. While with Peak Vista she strengthened the organization’s relationships with the community; invested significantly in educational and financial resources for staff; and launched a new philanthropic board.

 

“We are incredibly grateful for Dr. Ptaszek’s leadership, vision and unwavering commitment to our mission,” said Stella Hodgkins, Chair of the Board of Directors. “Under her guidance, Peak Vista has reached new heights, strengthening critical partnerships, establishing data-rich operational processes, launching vital patient-facing programs and inspiring new levels of philanthropic support. Due to her emphasis on workforce development and competitive compensation, Peak Vista increased provider network compensation by nearly $4 million. And as a licensed psychologist, Ptaszek has been deeply dedicated to enhancing access to mental health resources, greatly enriching the organization’s overall behavioral health services through new programs like the psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner fellowship program. While we consider this a great loss, we will always value the impact she has made across the region.”

 

“It has been an honor and privilege to serve as President and CEO of Peak Vista, working alongside a dedicated and thoughtful Board of Directors and leading an exceptionally skilled team of clinical and operational leaders whose collective efforts make this community a better place to live,” said Ptaszek. “I am very grateful for the many life-changing experiences and meaningful connections I have formed at Peak Vista and within this wonderful community that I will continue to call home. I have great faith in both the leadership team and Board of Directors and know that, together, they can navigate the challenges and opportunities ahead in order to continue realizing Peak Vista’s critical mission.”

 

Peak Vista’s Board of Directors has been actively engaged in planning the transition with Hodgkins stating, “plans are in place to ensure a seamless transition as we identify a successor that can build upon the momentum created by Dr. Ptaszek and the executive team.” The Board has established a transition committee who will lead the recruitment and selection process.

 

About Peak Vista Community Health Centers

Peak Vista Community Health Centers is a nonprofit organization providing exceptional health care to people facing access barriers through clinical programs and education. Celebrating over 50 years of community health service, Peak Vista offers primary medical, integrated behavioral health and dental care services. We proudly serve over 74,000 patients annually through 24 outpatient centers in Colorado’s Pikes Peak and East Central regions. To learn more about Peak Vista, visit peakvista.org.