CRYSTAL RIVER, January 10, 2012 — Two pharmacists at Seven Rivers Regional Medical Center are now recognized by their peers as among the best and brightest in the country.

James Finney, Pharm.D, BCPS, and Kady Johnson, Pharm.D, BCPS, achieved a new level of expertise in the practice of pharmacy, making them the only board certified pharmacotherapy specialists in Citrus County.

Pharmacotherapy is the area of pharmacy practice responsible for ensuring the safe, economical use of drugs in patient care. The pharmacotherapy specialist is responsible for direct patient care and is frequently the primary source of drug information for other health care professionals.

“We are proud of Jim and Kady,” said Joyce Brancato, chief executive officer at Seven Rivers Regional. “Attaining board certification validates their ability to meet the challenges of today’s evolving health care system.”

To achieve board certification, Finney and Johnson had to pass a rigorous and comprehensive examination prepared by the top pharmacotherapists in the country. They were tested in cardiology, critical care, neurology, oncology, infectious disease, psychiatry, endocrinology, pharmacokinectics, pediatrics, gynecology, urology, nephrology and statistics.

The examination is facilitated by the Board of Pharmacy Specialists (BPS), the premier post-licensure certification organization serving the pharmacy profession.

About Board of Pharmacy Specialties

The Board of Pharmacy Specialties (BPS) was established in 1976 as an autonomous division of the American Pharmacists Association. Board certification through BPS has become recognized as the gold standard for determining which pharmacists are qualified to contribute at advanced practice levels. Through the rigorous standards mandated by BPS board certification, the BPS board certified pharmacist stands out as the most qualified to take on today’s expanding professional expectations.