HERSHEY, Pa. — Penn State Health has hired Sam Wetherill, an established leader with nearly three decades experience in pharmacy services, to be its next vice president and chief pharmacy officer, effective Monday, Dec. 30.
Wetherill will oversee pharmacy services throughout the health system, including day-to-day operations of the Milton S. Hershey Medical Center pharmacy. As chief pharmacy officer, Wetherill will provide vision, strategy, innovation and leadership for the Penn State Health pharmacy service line, ensuring the clinical services, safety and quality of its pharmacies are aligned with the health system’s strategic goals and operational priorities.
“Health care is constantly changing from a multitude of perspectives. As care models continue to advance, Penn State Health is well positioned to improve the health of the communities it serves,” Wetherill said. “I look forward to working with an already strong pharmacy team to continue to meet these challenges.”
Wetherill is a graduate of Penn State. He brings over 27 years of pharmacy experience in operational and management roles in retail, hospital and long-term care. Prior to joining Penn State Health, Wetherill worked in long-term care for Omnicare in King of Prussia, and spent 17 years at ChristianaCare in Newark, Delaware, where he held a number of roles, including vice president of pharmacy services.
“Sam’s extensive experience in multiple aspects of pharmacy services stood out amid a pool of many well qualified candidates,” said Kenneth Wood, Penn State Health’s chief medical officer. “He also brings significant military leadership experience. I look forward to collaborating with him and others across Penn State Health to enhance our health system’s approaches to pharmacy.”
Prior to his career in health care, Wetherill served in the U.S. Army for 22 years on both active duty and in the reserves. He was stationed in Germany, Bosnia, Kosovo and Ft. Benning, Georgia while on active duty. Wetherill was sent overseas three times as part of worldwide contingency missions following the September 11 terror attacks, before retiring to the rank of lieutenant colonel. His last six years as a reservist were spent as a command and general staff officer course instructor and area coordinator at Ft. Dix, New Jersey.