Colleen Barker Northampton PA

Senior Manager Medical Information, Pharma

Colleen Barker, a Pharmacist from Northampton, PA, holds the esteemed titles of Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) and Registered Pharmacist (RPh). She commenced her educational journey at Indiana Wesleyan University, which is recognized for its dedication to Christ-centered academic principles. Her career specializes in medical information management and writing, requiring frequent collaboration with various legal, regulatory, and healthcare marketing sectors.

As a pharmacy informaticist, Colleen harnesses information technology's capabilities to improve the methods involved in recording, managing, and administering medications to patients. Her expertise is crucial in mediating between patients and healthcare professionals to ensure the effective and safe use of drugs. Her unwavering commitment to patient safety is evident as she rigorously reviews prescriptions to detect potential drug interactions, mitigating the risk of adverse effects.

Her exemplary service was acknowledged when she received the President's Club award from TEVA Pharmaceuticals, NA, on her sixth work anniversary. This prestigious award is given to fewer than 100 employees across the North American division annually for their outstanding contributions and performance. Colleen has demonstrated flexibility throughout her career, working across diverse therapeutic areas such as respiratory, oncology, rare diseases, hematology, and neurology.

Education

Colleen's academic achievements began at Northampton Senior High, where she cultivated a strong work ethic, reliability, and initiative, influenced by her Scottish and Irish ancestry. She graduated in the top 10% of her class and was recognized by the National Honors Society for her excellent academic performance.

In 1994, she enrolled at Indiana Wesleyan University, achieving Dean’s List status in all eight semesters and graduating magna cum laude. She pursued dual Bachelor of Science degrees in Biology and Psychology and was honored with the National Psychology Student Honors Award. Her interest in the medical field led her to the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy, where she earned her PharmD in 2005, again graduating magna cum laude and earning a membership in the Rho Chi National Pharmacy Honors Society.

Career

Her professional path started in 2002 with pharmacy internships at Lehigh Valley Hospital and CVS Pharmacy in Pennsylvania, focusing on preparing intravenous medications and managing prescription dispensing systems. These positions set the stage for her role at CVS Pharmacy as a staff pharmacist in 2005, where she managed a team dispensing up to 4000 prescriptions weekly.

Colleen’s expertise in pharmaceutical operations extended to navigating the complexities of insurance, regulatory requirements, and narcotic prescription approvals. She was instrumental in training new technicians and overseeing pharmacy interns, consistently upholding strict ethical standards and precision in medication dispensing.

In 2010, she advanced her career at Telex-Merck & Co. as a Medical Team Member, managing inquiries about Merck pharmaceutical products and documenting adverse events. This position also involved her in medical writing and managing extensive prescribing information for Merck Pharmaceuticals.

Career as Medical Information Specialist

Colleen furthered her career by taking on the Medical Information Specialist Manager role at Bristol Myers Squibb, focusing on Immunology, Oncology, and Neuroscience. Her career progressed through roles at Otsuka America Pharmaceuticals, Inc., and later at Merck & Co., Inc., where she took on responsibilities as a Senior Scientific Specialist. In this role, she was tasked with developing and maintaining scientifically accurate information in response to unsolicited inquiries from healthcare professionals.

Currently, she serves as the Senior Manager of Medical Information-Respiratory/Oncology at TEVA Pharmaceuticals, NA. Her role involves collaborating with legal, regulatory affairs, marketing, and sales departments to support medical activities. She is responsible for maintaining a library of standard medical response documents and authoring various healthcare documents and promotional materials.

Personal Life

The personal experiences of Colleen, notably the loss of her mother to leukemia, have profoundly influenced her professional focus on cancer research advocacy. While she holds a significant corporate role, she remains connected to her rural upbringing, enjoying activities like camping, participating in local dirt track races, and attending antique car shows. Her passion for music has been a constant, as she has performed at various community and family events and actively participated in her church's praise and worship team. This balance of professional excellence and personal dedication highlights Colleen Barker, Pharmacist, as a dedicated and impactful member of her professional field and community.