Rita Shane

Rita Shane is an Associate Dean at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles and Professor in the Department of Clinical Pharmacy at the University of California San Francisco (UCSF). She serves as Vice President and Chief Pharmacy Officer at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, where she provides leadership in pharmacy practice, education, and research. Her work bridges academic pharmacy with clinical practice in a major medical center setting, focusing on improving medication systems and patient outcomes.

Dr. Shane's research centers on clinical pharmacy, medication therapy management, and hospital medication systems. Her work addresses critical issues in medication safety, including medication reconciliation, medication errors, and professional roles in pharmacy practice. She has made significant contributions to understanding pharmacy operations, pharmacist-led interventions, and the impact of pharmacy services on patient outcomes in hospital settings. Her research often involves collaborative studies examining how pharmacy services can improve medication safety and reduce healthcare utilization for high-risk patient populations.

Analysis of Dr. Shane's recent publications reveals a strong focus on medication safety systems, transitions of care, and optimizing pharmacy practice models in health systems. Her work spans clinical pharmacy, health services research, and medication management, with particular attention to high-risk patient populations and complex therapeutic regimens. She frequently collaborates with interdisciplinary teams to evaluate pharmacist interventions and their impact on healthcare quality and efficiency. Her research demonstrates how strategic pharmacy practice models can enhance patient safety while managing healthcare costs.

As Associate Dean, Dr. Shane works with area directors of advanced pharmacy practice programs in providing administrative support, mentoring, and instruction to students and faculty members. She has been instrumental in developing pharmacy technician residency programs and advancing the role of pharmacists in healthcare systems. Her leadership extends to strategic planning for pharmacy departments in hospitals and health systems, as evidenced by her significant contributions to the ASHP Foundation Pharmacy Forecast publications that guide pharmacy practice nationwide.