Avera's Goff and Johnson Named to Becker's 2026 Chief Pharmacy Officers to Know
Avera's Melissa Goff, PharmD and Tom Johnson, PharmD, have been recognized by Becker's Hospital Review's 2026 list of chief pharmacy officers to know.
From overseeing medication usage to leading and developing the pharmacy teams that execute complex tasks daily, these leaders bring both operational precision and strategic vision to one of healthcare's most critical functions. They drive cost-effective solutions and champion initiatives that elevate their organizations' entire approach to medication management, according to Becker's. The chief pharmacy officers recognized on this list are shaping the systems, policies and cultures that make safe care possible at scale.
Goff, Vice President of Outpatient Pharmacy, oversees strategy for Avera Health’s outpatient pharmacy services, including specialty, long-term care, retail and home infusion pharmacy, and the 340B program, managing a $350 million expense budget and more than 250 full-time employees. She has led the growth of Avera Specialty Pharmacy since 2015, delivering 115,000 specialty prescriptions a year and serving more than 18,000 unique patients. She also led the growth of Avera’s long term care pharmacy, which now serves more than 8,000 patients across four states.
Johnson, Vice President of Diagnostic and Therapeutic Services, oversees Avera's clinical and operational hospital pharmacy services across the health system’s member hospitals, including one tertiary medical center, five regional hospitals, and 38 community and critical access hospitals across five Upper Midwest states. Johnson has published more than 50 abstracts, posters and peer-reviewed articles and has served in multiple leadership roles for the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, including president, treasurer and board member. He also founded and now directs Avera’s Postgraduate Year 2 (PGY-2) health system pharmacy administration and leadership residency program.
Both Goff and Johnson co-led the planning of Avera's 65,000-square-foot pharmacy integrated services center.
Becker's Healthcare is proud to celebrate these pharmacy executives. Their expertise and dedication make them indispensable to the institutions they serve and to the patients who depend on those organizations.
For more information about Avera, visit Avera.org.