Dr. Susan Catherine Johnson

June 2016 – present

Lecturer at the University of Rhode Island and University of Connecticut regarding genomics and application to patient care.

June 2006 – present

Director of Research at Eastern Connecticut Hematology and Oncology Associates, Norwich, CT.  Responsibilities include the following: 1) establishing databases of our cancer patient population, 2) assessing feasibility of clinical trials for oncology and supportive care in the oncology setting, 3) budget negotiations with pharmaceutical companies and vendors providing radiologic, pathologic, and hematologic testing for our study participants and appropriate management of these funds, 4) supervision of Regulatory and Study Coordinators, 5) overseeing regulatory processes and meeting with monitors and auditors for clinical studies, 6) establishing standard operations protocols for the Research Department, 7) development and implementation of screening programs to invite patients to participate in clinical trials,  8) development of marketing strategies and advertisements to provide patients with a greater number of options for the treatment of cancer and 8) Research Coordinator for the Cancer Committee at our healthcare system.  Present emphasis on genomic tumor analysis and targeting “actionable” aberrations with drug treatment.  Mechanisms for matching drug treatment with genomic aberrations (mutations, amplifications, translocations, etc.) with targeted therapy include participation in clinical trials, single patient INDs and utilizing FDA drugs for non-FDA approved indications.

Coordination and implementation of physician dispensing pharmacy for oncolytic and supportive care in Eastern Ct Hematology and Oncology private physician office practice.  

September 2005 – present

Consultant in establishment and implementation of anticoagulation clinics.  The services offered include: 1) presenting of concept to medical staff to garner support for the development of a clinic, 2) presenting clinical data/outcome data from a successful clinic as well as a comprehensive literature search to support the clinical benefits of a clinic, 3) presenting proven financial feasibility, 4) discussing overhead requirements:  space, equipment, personnel, etc., 5) addressing legal issues, physician oversight, identification of a Medical Director for the Anticoagulation Clinic, 6) educating  anticoagulation clinic staff  (two phases:  didactic with case presentations and practice in live setting),  and 7) collaborating with Quality Assurance/Improvement to measure success of clinic (E.g.   comparison of number of hospital admissions for complications associated with warfarin for clinic managed patients vs. traditionally managed patients,  % of clinic patients within therapeutic range,   % of  clinic patients experiencing adverse events, patient satisfaction survey analysis, etc.).  To date, four clinics are established and operating as well as several on-going projects.

August 1990 – September 2005

Coordinator, Clinical Services, William W. Backus Hospital, Norwich Connecticut.  This newly created position is designed to introduce and implement clinical services in a community hospital.  A primary goal is staff development and physician education to ensure optimal pharmacotherapy with continuity of patient care.  Responsibilities include development of educational packages, providing drug information, preparation and presentation of committee materials, as well as pharmacokinetic and pharmacotherapy consultations  An essential component is the development, implementation, and monitoring of programs which provide patients with the very best (most efficacious, safest, and least costly) therapy.  Accomplishments which have significantly improved patient outcomes and decreased expenditures for drug therapy include 1) introduction of a restricted antimicrobial formulary, 2) optimizing thrombolysis for acute myocardial infarction, 3) development and implementation of a heparin dosing protocol, 4) dosing algorithms for erythropoietin, iron dextran, and calcitriol in the Hemodialysis Unit, 5) sedation protocols, 6) establishing a profitable outpatient anticoagulation clinic, 7) developing and implementing a program for transition from parenteral to oral therapy, 8) developing and implementing a renal dosing program encompassing patients greater than 65 years or age as well as the critically ill, and 9) developing and implementing standard protocols for coronary diagnoses (AMI, ACS, CHF) and sedation in the critical care unit.  Another focus of the position is preparing for successful JCAHO reviews.

June 1991 ‑ present

Assistant Clinical Professor, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut.  Responsibilities include developing and implementing a clinical clerkship program for sixth year pharmacy students in the community hospital setting.  Students may select from the following areas of pharmacotherapy:  cardiovascular/intensive care, infectious disease, general medicine, nutritional support, anticoagulation and/or psychopharmacology. 

March 1989 ‑ March 1990

Drug Information Fellow, University of Rhode Island Drug Information Center, Roger Williams General Hospital, Providence, Rhode Island.  The fellowship was designed to provide advanced training in drug information practice in the academic, community, and institutional settings.  The goal of the program was to provide an environment where the fellow would develop a mastery of knowledge and an expert level of competency in skills in the areas of drug literature retrieval and analysis, pharmacy information services, and drug information service administration and management.

December 1988 ‑ December 1990

Consultant Pharmacist, Behavioral Medicine Clinic, Joseph H. Ladd Center (State of Rhode Island         institution for the profoundly retarded), Exeter, Rhode Island.  In this position I was a member of an            interdisciplinary team of health professionals which provides optimal pharmacotherapy and behavioral       therapies to patients refractory to previous treatment options.

August 1988 ‑ November 1988

Interim Clinical Pharmacist/Professor, Veterans’ Administration Medical Center, Providence, Rhode Island for the University of Rhode Island.  Responsibilities included precepting fifth year pharmacy students during clinical clerkship, active participation in Residents’ Morning Report, providing drug information and pharmacokinetic services to the hospital.

March 1982 ‑ July 1991

Consultant Pharmacist, West View Nursing Home, West Warwick, Rhode Island.  Position includes: review of medication regimens of 120 patients to evaluate present care, teach continuing education to nursing professionals, drug information specialist, and participation in the Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee.  Recommendations are made concerning efficacy of medications, dose of medication, timing of medication administration, ordering laboratory tests to monitor disease states and medications, and the need to add or discontinue medications to optimize patient care.

March 1982 ‑ August 1986

Pharmacist, Joseph H. Ladd Center, Exeter, Rhode Island.  Responsibilities included supervision of pharmacy technicians, implementation of a unit dose system, educational instruction to other health professionals, drug information specialist, participation in Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee, Infection Control Committee, and Behavioral Medicine Clinic.

May 1983 ‑ August 1986

Pharmacist, Warwick Neck Pharmacy, Warwick, Rhode Island.

December 1981 ‑ May 1982

Pharmacist, Rumford Pharmacy, Rumford, Rhode Island