Karen Mc Connell, Pharm D, MBA
About Karen Mc Connell, Pharm D, MBA
Karen McConnell, Pharm D, MBA, serves as the System Vice President and Chief Pharmacy Officer at CommonSpirit Health, where she integrates pharmacy leadership in strategic initiatives. With extensive experience in clinical pharmacy and a strong educational background, she has held various leadership roles across multiple healthcare organizations.
Work at CommonSpirit Health
Karen McConnell currently serves as the System Vice President of Pharmacy Enterprise and Chief Pharmacy Officer at CommonSpirit Health. She has held this position since 2021 and is based in Denver, Colorado. In her role, she integrates pharmacy leaders into the organization's strategic initiatives, including mergers, acquisitions, and service expansion. Prior to this role, she worked as the System Director of Clinical Pharmacy and Contracting Services at CommonSpirit Health for one year.
Education and Expertise
Karen McConnell earned her Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) from the University of Missouri-Kansas City, completing her studies from 1993 to 1999. She furthered her education by obtaining a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Grand Canyon University, which she completed between 2018 and 2021. She is a Board Certified Pharmacotherapy Specialist and a Fellow in the American Society of Health-System Pharmacy and the American College of Clinical Pharmacy.
Background
Karen McConnell has extensive experience in the pharmacy field, beginning her career as a Pharmacy Practice Resident at CoxHealth Medical Center from 1999 to 2000. She then completed a Pharmacy Specialty Residency at Kaiser Permanente from 2000 to 2001. Over the years, she has held various positions, including Clinical Pharmacy Specialist in Cardiac Risk Reduction and Cardiology at Kaiser Permanente, and Clinical Director at Cardinal Health.
Achievements
Throughout her career, Karen McConnell has demonstrated a proven track record in systematizing diverse inpatient and outpatient pharmacy services. Her approach is based on data, evidence, and consensus, which has contributed to the effective management of pharmacy services across different healthcare settings. Her leadership roles have included significant contributions to clinical pharmacy services at Catholic Health Initiatives and Kaiser Permanente.