Northeastern District Candidates for 2019-20 Board Election
The Northeastern District seat is presently held by Gene Minton, who will complete his second term in April 2020.
Candidates are listed alphabetically by last name.
Russell Boratko
“Promoting Public Safety By Empowering Pharmacists”
My name is Russell Boratko, and I would like your consideration to represent the Northeastern District of the North Carolina State Board of Pharmacy. Being a pharmacist means something to me. Do you remember what made you want to become a pharmacist? Was it because of family, wanting to be part of your community, maybe a deep interest in pharmacology? To me, and many others, it was to be there for my neighbors, and actively promote health and safe patient care. With the rapid growth and evolution of the healthcare industry, I have noticed many shifts in our profession. Some of the changes have been positive, but other changes have left significant room for improvement. I believe North Carolina pharmacists need to be supported and empowered. If elected, I will listen to my peers, focus on ways to support pharmacists, and promote patient safety. I want to hear your voice, see what is important to you, and promote change where change is needed. I implore you to take the time to vote this year to fulfill our responsibility to our profession and patients.
What makes me qualified? I believe passion for the profession is what makes a strong candidate. During my 12+ years as a pharmacist, I have viewed our profession as an essential part of communities, hospitals, universities, and the industry. We collaborate with doctors, dentists, veterinarians, and other specialists everyday, all to optimize patients’ treatments and health. I have always placed my patients’ health and safety first. Throughout my career, I have held a variety of positions. I have worked as a retail staff pharmacist, a retail pharmacy manager for 7+ years, a preceptor to many students, a retail district leader, a pharmacist manager trainer, and currently, as a board certified specialty pharmacist. As a specialty pharmacist, I collaborate with my peers to promote best practices in our pharmacy. I have also been involved in both URAC and JCAHO audits, to help establish educational materials for our entire business unit, in order to advance best practices and public safety.
When I am not at work, I enjoy spending time with my wife and daughter, exercising at the gym, hunting, fishing, and treasure hunting at the flea market.
Let us, as pharmacists, find our way back to a patient driven approach to the practice of pharmacy. Let us, as patient safety advocates, work to establish acceptable and safe staffing requirements. Let us, as medication experts, create guidelines that allow us to be able to counsel our patients, verify prescriptions, administer vaccinations, and complete the many other tasks pharmacists do everyday. Let’s promote public safety by empowering pharmacists. Let’s do this together.
Vote Russell Boratko for North Carolina Board of Pharmacy Northeastern District.
David Catalano
My name is David Catalano and I graduated from the University of Rhode Island in 1995 with a bachelor’s degree in Pharmacy. In my youth I would go with my father to his Pharmacy located within a medical center and admired the working relationships that he developed with the practitioners in the office complex. That collaborative practice setting was what was the beginning of my passion for pharmacy.
In my 24 years of practicing Pharmacy I have held a variety of roles promoting the practice of Pharmacy. I am currently a Pharmacy Manager at Carolina Behavioral Care. My primary function is managing a pharmacy in a medical office setting that supports the health and well-being of the clinic’s psychiatric patients. The pharmacy works in unison with the Medical team to support positive outcomes of the patient. We look over and review the patients’ medical records as well as genetic testing to determine the best prescription for optimal outcomes.
Previously, I was a Registered Store Manager for Walgreens Specialty Pharmacy overseeing Pharmacy services for HIV, Hepatitis C, Transplant and other various disease states. I was able to develop a Residency program in coordination with Campbell University that allowed me to help mentor Pharmacy Graduates in a clinical pharmacy role. I also worked many years with Walgreens as a pharmacy supervisor and manager across several north eastern states.
I have completed several certificate programs including one’s in Psychiatry, Pharmacogenomics and AAHIVE as well I hold a Bachelor of Science in Zoology.
I have always been a member of and held positions in the Pharmacy Association of the states I practice. I am currently on the North Carolina Association of Pharmacy’s Community Practice Forum executive committee.
I feel that the transformation of pharmacy and the pharmacist's role in the community begins at pharmacy school. These are great times for all pharmacists. There is a tremendous need for our professional skills as our population ages and the amount of medications being taken per person continues to increase. We are experts in our field, and we need to make sure the expertise of our trade is recognized by the people that make the laws and that our professional skills are not given to another group. I would like to utilize my years of experience and unique skill set to represent pharmacy and the pharmacist in the state of North Carolina as a member of the board of pharmacy working to continue the progression of our pharmacy’s future.
I appreciate your consideration as I ask for your vote.
Ned Clark
I am a graduate of the UNC School of Pharmacy and husband of another UNC Pharmacy Grad. I am a lifelong resident of Northeastern North Carolina and have worked almost exclusively in retail pharmacy. Including: supermarket, chain and independent pharmacies. As a father of four sons, I am well versed in settling disputes/disagreements fairly and judiciously.
I feel that most Pharmacists have a limited view of the Board of Pharmacy. Every Pharmacist knows where they get their licenses and renewals. However, I think that is where their Board knowledge/involvement stops. The Board’s mission is to protect the public health, safety and welfare in pharmaceutical matters. Yes, that does involve pharmacy inspections and assuring that applicable laws and statutes are being followed. But, it does not have to be limited to these items.
My goal as a Board Member is to increase Pharmacists awareness and involvement in ways to reach the Board’s mission. It was a Board member that started a program for impaired pharmacists. What is your idea? Keep in mind that the Board doesn’t make laws, but appropriate suggestions can be given. As a Board Member, I will seek input from other Pharmacists and advocate for your ideas. And, I would appreciate your vote.
Chad Cobus
Chad Cobus is an experienced and passionate Pharmacist Manager in community and retail pharmacy. He began his pharmacy career in Wisconsin in 2009 as a technician and intern for Walgreens, where he served an urban community in the heart of the Milwaukee. During his pharmacy curriculum at University of Wisconsin – Madison, Chad worked as a teaching assistant for the Social and Administrative Sciences in Pharmacy division, sharing with other pharmacy students his enthusiasm for pharmacoeconomics, personnel management, patient behavioral studies. After graduating with a Doctor of Pharmacy degree in 2013, he returned home to Milwaukee where he continued serving the community where he began.
In November 2015, Chad moved to North Carolina to continue his career with Walgreens as Pharmacy Manager in Sanford. Over the past 4 years, he has developed a deeper sense of service and partnership with his patients. He has mentored a variety of interns and pharmacists, instilling that same sense of duty and purpose to his peers. His passions for pharmacy include chronic disease state management, improving medication adherence, specialty pharmacy, transplant medicine, and technological advancement in pharmacy. In October 2019, Chad assumed the role of pharmacy manager for a Walgreens on the east side of Raleigh to further expand his specialty pharmacy acumen.
He also brings a unique perspective to his pharmacy practice as a specialty patient. In 2017, he received a living donor kidney transplant after a short albeit challenging episode of renal failure. The experience and knowledge gained has become a key tool to support his efforts in simplifying medication adherence and promoting self-advocacy for his patients.
Chad lives in the town of Cary with his wife, Abby, and their two English Bulldogs, Joey and Oliver. In his spare time, Chad enjoys golfing, bowling, and softball. While they remain loyal to the Packers, Badgers, and Brewers, he and his wife enjoy summer baseball, cheering on the Durham Bulls whenever possible.
Tony Mitchum
Tony was born and raised in Scotland County and is a lifelong resident of North Carolina. He is 1981 graduate of the University of North Carolina School of Pharmacy. He has faithfully served his community as a devoted Retail Pharmacist employed by Revco Discount Drug Stores, Drug Emporium, K-Mart and is currently serving as a Pharmacy Manager with Wal-Mart in Hillsborough.
As a leader in the development of student pharmacists, Tony has served as a Regional Director for Collegiate Affairs, Regional Director for Alumni Affairs and Grand President of the Phi Delta Chi Pharmacy Fraternity. He was also a founding Board Member of the Pharmacy Leadership and Education Institute and continues to serve as a facilitator for their Leader-Development Seminar. Tony is also currently a Preceptor for students at the Campbell University College of Pharmacy.
Tony holds or has held membership in the American Pharmacists Association, the North Carolina Association of Pharmacists and is a life member of the University of North Carolina School of Pharmacy Alumni Association.
"I have attended Board of Pharmacy Meetings since March of 2009 and have seen first hand the challenges to Pharmacy Practice that have been proposed and concerns addressed by the Board. The North Carolina Board of Pharmacy was created by the North Carolina Legislature to protect the public health, safety and welfare in pharmaceutical matters and that is the primary purpose of the Board. If elected I vow to serve with integrity, to be transparent and even more important for me to be accessible to all Pharmacists to express their concerns and bring those concerns to the Board for discussion."
Wallace Nelson
I am a native of Hertford, NC. After attending College of the Albemarle, I transferred to UNC Eshelman SOP, and graduated in December 1976. My professional career began in retail pharmacy before joining Chowan Hospital in Edenton and later, Bertie Hospital in Windsor. I served both hospitals at all levels for over 40 years, 36 as Director of Pharmacy, and I continue to practice at both facilities today. In addition I was intimately involved in the Vidant Health organization collaborating with the system pharmacy directors, medical staff, ancillary services, and corporate leadership steering the Vidant Pharmacy Clinical Group.
On April 30, 2010, I completed ten years of service as a member of the BOP. I believe my service as a hospital pharmacist, was conspicuously important to the people of North Carolina as I brought to the Board an expertise in health system pharmacy, a perspective often under-represented, and currently not represented on the Board.
I again seek the opportunity to serve on the Board, working to protect the health and safety of North Carolina’s citizens and to serve you, a practicing pharmacist. I recognize the Board must hold a progressive attitude about regulatory matters, constantly striving to ensure that pharmacy regulation does not place artificial barriers to practice innovation, while still ensuring that the public is properly protected. During my prior service on the Board, I worked to assure enforcing compliance with BOP rules was done in a compassionate manner, non-punitive in nature, and with education and assistance as our focus.
In addition to the BOP, many opportunities for community service have given me a knowledge of the true meaning of boardsmanship and service to others. I have served for 16 years on the Perquimans County Board of Education and 10 years on the County’s Commission where I currently serve as Chairman. I’ve held a number of appointments by Governors Martin, Hunt, McCrory, and Cooper, to the College of the Albemarle Board of Trustees, NC Marine Industrial Authority, Governor’s Councils, Institutes and Legislative Commissions, some studying means of reducing alcohol and other substance abuse. I have the honor of serving on many local boards, the Board of Health, Social Services Board, Planning Board, and a number of others. I treasure the opportunity to serve in our church, the Gideons, and prison ministry.
In recognition of my Board of Education service, in 2011 the NC School Boards Association awarded me the Raleigh Dingman Award, the highest award bestowed on a School Board member which gave me an opportunity to represent NC’s School Boards on the NC State Board of Education. In 2010 Governor Perdue conferred the Order of the Long Leaf Pine in recognition of service and commitment to North Carolinians.
I am married to the former Freda Godwin (a retired educator). We are blessed to be the parents of Ethan (a practicing dentist), Lauren (a human resources manager) and two grandchildren, Reagan and Harrison.
I humbly ask for your support to again serve the public and you as a member of the BOP.
Cornelius Toliver
I am Cornelius Toliver and I am seeking election for the North Carolina board of pharmacy. I am a proud graduate of North Carolina A&T State University and Campbell University School of Pharmacy. I grew up in Clayton, NC and was taught early by my mother and father the true definition of hard work, responsibility, and helping others. My extensive diverse pharmacy background ranges over 15 years of service. My current position in pharmacy is with a Prescription Benefits Manager and Health Insurance in our state. I am a Clinical Program Manager and my primary focus is implementing clinical quality programs that target medications for chronic conditions and implementation of clinical programs that aim to fight our current opioid epidemic.
My diverse pharmacy work career began with Walgreens Pharmacy. I worked with Walgreens Pharmacy for over 13 years holding many lead positions in the company working as a store manager, pharmacy manager, immunization district lead, and customer service district lead. The relationships and bonds you form in community pharmacy is the staple of our profession. It is this bond, and the love for serving the public that motivated me to want to do more in our profession.
The drive to help improve healthcare in the state of North Carolina led me to receive my Certified Diabetes Educator License (CDE) and Clinical Pharmacist Practitioner (CPP) certification. The miscommunication between pharmacies and doctor’s offices were notable during my tenure with Walgreens. While working as a clinical pharmacist in primary care, I helped establish an independent pharmacy inside the primary care. The goal of this setting was to ensure that patients receive their medications at a low cost, medication therapy management programs, and implemented a medication delivery service for patients with transportation difficulties. After receiving my CPP certification, my team and I formed a Collaborative Practice Agreement with the providers and myself that would give me the ability to teach diabetes education and help manage patient medication regimens. We developed a care management system for the patients that focused on chronic conditions and medication adherence. This patient centered medical home proved that pharmacist can be an integral part of the healthcare team and worked concomitantly with providers.
I have been blessed to have great experience in my career of pharmacy and I look forward to many years to come. There is no greater feeling then providing for your family and profession. I take my job seriously as a person of faith, father, friend, and pharmacist. I would be honored to be your representative for the Northeastern District seat for the North Carolina Board of Pharmacy.
Tara Maples Torrence
I began my journey in pharmacy 27 years ago with a pharmacy internship at Fort Sanders Sevier Medical Center in Sevierville, TN. As with many of our “first” experiences in life, this one is still vivid in my memory. As an intern, I gained great respect for all the detailed processes needed to support patient care in the community hospital environment. Pharmacists worked side-by-side with other hospital staff to care for people during their time of great illness.
My next experience was as a technician at Pigeon Forge Drugs in my hometown of Pigeon Forge, TN. I loved that people would come in to ask the pharmacist for advice on some ailment, and I saw the trust they had in the pharmacist to guide them with recommendations that were in their patient’s best interest. This relationship of trust and accountability had a profound impact, and its gravity still guides me.
In 1998, I earned my Doctorate of Pharmacy at Campbell University School of Pharmacy and subsequently completed a Pharmacy Practice Residency at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center. Since that time, I have worked in both clinical and distributive roles in the areas of Internal Medicine, Nutrition Support, Operating Room Services, Long Term Care, as well as in Independent Retail and Non-Sterile Compounding. I am also a Certified Immunizing Pharmacist. Eager to continue to learn and expand my skills, in 2011, I went back to school and earned my Masters in Business Administration from Liberty University.
For the past 5 years, I have served as the Director of Pharmacy at Granville Health System in Oxford, NC. In this role, I oversee general distributive and clinical services, pharmacy personnel, budgetary responsibilities, USP 797/800 construction projects, competency development, pharmacy policy and procedure development, and Pharmacy & Therapeutics Committee processes. As healthcare and pharmacy services have continued to expand, administration of 340b Inpatient Split-billing and Contract Pharmacy Services are also my responsibility.
I have been a member of ASHP, APhA, and NCAP for most of my pharmacy career and have attended a number of annual meetings for continued learning and development. I have served on various community projects as well as on my community HOA Board of Directors. I have also had the privilege of serving on the Campbell University College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences Board of Alumni.
In my free time, you are likely to find me in my garden, planning and planting. I also love art, painting, photography, and reading and am active in community book club in Oxford, NC. I am an eager participant in most kinds of “do-it-yourself/fixer-upper” type projects. I engage daily in prayer and Bible study, which are essential. I live in Wake Forest, NC.
Throughout my journey as a healthcare professional, I have learned from and been helped by many of you reading this brief biography. I truly appreciate your contributions. I would be deeply grateful for the opportunity to serve in this role. Kindly consider me for this honor.
FOLLOW THIS LINK TO SEE CANDIDATES IN THE CENTRAL DISTRICT.
Please contact Kristin Moore or Jay Campbell at the NC Board of Pharmacy office if you have questions about the election.