Dana Darger Named One of the 50 Most Influential Leaders in Pharmacy
Dana Darger, Director of Pharmacy at Rapid City Hospital, was recently included in the 50 Most Influential Leaders in Pharmacy Awards and Recognition Program, launched by the Pharmacy Podcast Network. Pharmacy professionals were encouraged to nominate peers that made a significant difference in their organizations.
“Our pharmacists and teams of people who support our pharmacists are under so much pressure right now,” says Todd Eury, CEO & Founder of the Pharmacy Podcast Network, the first podcast dedicated to the profession. “We want to re-instill pride in our industry and honor innovative leaders who are helping to transform pharmacy, making it better for our patients, who we exist to better serve.”
“One of my vendors put my name in for it,” Dana explains. “I don’t do anything for recognition. It certainly feels wonderful to get it, but it isn’t a driving force for me.” What does drive him is a desire to figure out ways to improve how the hospital pharmacy works, especially in a rural environment. “But I can’t do it on my own. The hospital administration and leadership have been really good to me, letting me dream and reinvent the way we do things.”
More than 300 individuals were nominated by their peers, and a panel of judges evaluated nominees and selected individuals who have the most influence in the industry by the votes tallied. Nominations were accepted from all sectors of pharmacy for association leadership, technology entrepreneurs and thought leaders.
“For me, it's always about driving better patient care. It's about better clinical pharmacy, better patient safety,” Dana adds.
