LEADERSHIP
BRIAN KRAMER, BS, BA, RPh, MBA
PRESIDENT & CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICER
Brian Kramer
BRIAN KRAMER
PRESIDENT & CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICER
Brian joined Forum in 1993, serving as Director of Operations before becoming the company’s President in 2002. Under his leadership, Forum has become one of the most highly respected LTC pharmacies in the country. Drawing on a unique background that combined long-term care, pharmacy, information technology, and business, he has transformed Forum into a vibrant leader in pharmacy services.
Brian’s experience includes hands-on work in LTC as a licensed Nursing Home Administrator. His career as a Registered Pharmacist spans more than 35 years in hospital, retail, and LTC pharmacy consulting and dispensing, including 12 years at Evanston Hospital as a Staff Pharmacist and Assistant Director of Pharmacy.
He has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Biology and Chemistry from Knox College, a Bachelor of Science degree in Pharmacy from the University of Illinois-Chicago, and holds a Masters degree in Business Administration, with a concentration in Information Systems, from Roosevelt University.
He served on the Illinois Governor’s Advisory Committee on Electronic Healthcare Records (EHR) and is a member of the American Society of Consultant Pharmacists, the American Society of Hospital Pharmacists, the Illinois Pharmacist Association—LTC section, the National Council for Prescription Drug Programs (NCPDP), and the American Society for Automation in Pharmacy.
Currently, Brian is the President and Director of the Illinois Association of LTC Pharmacy Providers and is a Founding Board Member of the Senior Care Pharmacy Coalition.
PAMELA B. KRAMER, BA, LPhT
EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT
PAMELA B. KRAMER
EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT
With more than 35 years’ experience in the pharmaceutical industry, Pam has created award-winning strategies and educational programs for industry leaders across the country. She joined Forum in 2004 as Director of Marketing & Client Relations, working with client facilities to align pharmacy services to customer needs.
Drawing on a unique background that balances strategic planning and operational process development with a keen understanding of what her customers need, she was named Vice President of Business Operations in 2007 and Executive Vice President in 2011.
Responsible for development and implementation of Forum’s overall mission and vision, she has worked to optimize Forum’s infrastructure, approach, and services to create value for customers.
With particular expertise in electronic health records, reimbursement, and Lean Six Sigma, Pam has been a speaker at conferences such as the American Society of Consultant Pharmacists, Illinois Health Care Association, and the Leading Age, Illinois. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from New York University and is a Licensed Pharmacy Technician.
RON WEINERT, BS, RPh
EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT, CUSTOMER SUCCESS
Ron Weinert
RON WEINERT, BS, RPh
EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT, CUSTOMER SUCCESS
Ron joined Forum in 2018, serving as a strategic change agent and helping the company add value to and deepen partner relationships. He was named Executive Vice President, Client Success in March 2020. In his new role, he leads Forum’s world-class client-facing teams to optimize our service, support, and clinical programs and help customers thrive.
Ron brings more than 35 years of diverse pharmacy leadership experience and relationship-building to bear on a role designed to support the company’s vision. He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Pharmacy from the University of Illinois College of Pharmacy, a Certificate from The Wharton School and the Leonard Institute of Health Economics of the University of Pennsylvania and is a Registered Pharmacist. After overseeing substantial growth at multiple Chicago area Walgreens pharmacies, he began a strategic leadership role that involved fundamentally changing the way Walgreens engaged customers. His various leadership roles at Walgreens included District Pharmacy Supervisor, Manager of Pharmacy Services/Loss Prevention, Director of E-Commerce, Director of Government Relations, Vice President of Accountable Care Services, and Vice President of Healthcare Solutions.
He has been a member of the Illinois State Board of Pharmacy, an Emeritus Dean’s Advisory Board member of Rosalind Franklin University College of Pharmacy, and a Dean’s Advisory Board member at the University of Illinois College of Pharmacy. An avid athlete, Ron is a Certified Level 1 USAT Triathlon Coach and The Chairman of the Board of Directors of Dare2tri, a 501C3 organization dedicated to helping individuals with disabilities.
PRADIP PATEL, BS, RPh, FASCP, CGP
SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT,
PHARMACY SERVICES
Pradip Patel
PRADIP PATEL, RPh, FASCP, CGP
SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, PHARMACY SERVICES
An LTC pharmacy veteran, Pradip has been with Forum for more than 40 years, serving in a variety of clinical and managerial roles. Well-known to our client facilities, he has built relationships across the continuum of care by providing exceptional first-hand clinical, operational, and regulatory expertise. His passion for customer service and quality care has propelled him from the front lines to the executive management committee at Forum. After spending more than 15 years as Director of Clinical Services, working in the field with facilities, he moved back into pharmacy operations as Forum’s Director of Quality Improvement in 2008. In 2010 he was named Vice President of Pharmacy Services, and in 2015 was promoted to Senior Vice President.
Pradip, a Board-Certified Geriatric Pharmacist, received a Bachelor of Science degree in Pharmacy from Mysore University and is a Fellow, former Board Member, and former Illinois Chapter President of the American Society of Consultant Pharmacists.
PETE TOKE, PharmD, RPh, FASCP
SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT,
CLIENT DEVELOPMENT
Pete Toke
PETE TOKE, PharmD, RPh, FASCP
SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, CLIENT DEVELOPMENT
From staff and consultant pharmacist expertise to leadership roles, Pete Toke’s career of over 35 years in long-term care pharmacy includes more than 15 years with Forum, as well as key positions with Jacobs/Omnicare, ISA, and RxPerts/Kindred Pharmacy Services. He is and has been a clinical instructor and preceptor for Colleges of Pharmacy at the University of Illinois at Chicago, Midwestern University, Chicago State University, Philadelphia College of Pharmacy, the University of South Carolina, and the University of Florida.
Pete is responsible for enhancing customer relationships for the company and expanding avenues for business development. He also serves as the senior-most clinical pharmacy representative to ensure that the company’s capabilities and value-added services are best positioned with customers and potential new business.
Pete holds a Doctorate degree in Pharmacy from Midwestern University and is a Fellow and former Illinois Chapter President of the American Society of Consultant Pharmacists. He also serves on the Board of Directors for the Illinois Medical Directors Association.
JOEL FISH, BS, CPA
CONTROLLER
Joel Fish
JOEL FISH, BS, CPA
CONTROLLER
An accountant by profession, Joel has served as Forum’s Controller since 2009.  Coming to us from Omnicare, with more than 25 years’ LTC experience, he has held various roles over his career, including operations management to Account Liaison, Chief Accountant, and Corporate Controller among others. With a fiduciary responsibility to uphold the highest standards of conduct, Mr. Fish works with third-party payers and accreditors to ensure compliance with all applicable laws and regulations and ensures that financial best practices are followed.
Joel holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting and Economics from the Illinois State University and is an active member of the Illinois CPA Society.
JOANNE CU, BS, MBA, LPhT, CHC
VICE PRESIDENT,
BILLING & CORPORATE COMPLIANCE
Joanne Cu
JOANNE CU, BS, MBA, LPhT, CHC
VICE PRESIDENT, BILLING & CORPORATE COMPLIANCE
After working with a skilled nursing chain, Joanne joined Forum in 2004 as Billing & Reimbursement Manager and was named Director of Financial Services in 2011.
During an overseas relocation she held several financial positions in multinational companies that comprised corporate strategic planning, change management, and process improvement.
This included serving as Finance Director / Regional Head for Asia Pacific at Reed Elsevier, where she was responsible for Lexis Nexis Asia Pacific operations and served as a Tower Lead for Lexis Nexis United States Operations.
She returned in 2014 as Forum’s Director of Compliance and Accreditation and has managed the company’s Lean Six Sigma initiatives. Named VP of Billing & Corporate Compliance in 2019, Joanne oversees Forum’s financial operations and serves as the company’s chief compliance officer.
In 2021, Joanne was named a Top 100 Healthcare Visionary by the International Forum on
Advancements in Healthcare (IFAH). Joanne holds a BS in Management Economics, an MBA, a Certificate in Business Information Systems, is Certified in Healthcare Compliance, is a Licensed Pharmacy Technician and has a Green Belt in Lean Six Sigma.
KAREN SMITH, BS, RPh, MBA
VICE PRESIDENT OF OPERATIONS
Karen Smith
KAREN SMITH, BS, RPh, MBA
VICE PRESIDENT OF OPERATIONS
Recognized as an expert in LTC pharmacy, Karen is responsible for oversight and expansion of Forum’s pharmacy products and services. With 26 years’ experience in pharmacy, she has spent the last 15 years in long-term care. She came to Forum in 2018 from Pharmore Drugs, where she was Vice President, after more than a decade with Omnicare, working throughout the country in various leadership roles, including serving as one of five Divisional Senior Directors of Operations. After moving into operations management in 2007 from a field Pharmacist role, Karen has created efficiencies that not only reduce errors but also optimize pharmacy operating systems, leading to better outcomes for the patients she ultimately serves.
Karen has developed new products, services, complex crisis management solutions, and revenue streams for multiple pharmacies. In her leadership positions, Karen was part of merger and acquisition, new opening, closure, and relocation teams. Karen holds a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy from the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and a Masters of Business Administration from California State University.
AMY KURFMAN, BS, RPh
PHARMACIST IN CHARGE, CENTRAL ILLINOIS
Amy Kurfman
AMY KURFMAN, BS, RPh
PHARMACIST IN CHARGE, CENTRAL ILLINOIS
With more than 30 years’ experience in pharmacy, Amy brings a caring, client-focused energy and a local touch to our clients in Central and Southern Illinois. An industry veteran who has spent 15 years in LTC pharmacy consulting and dispensing, Amy joined Forum in 2018 from Enloe Drugs of Northern Illinois/Omnicare, where she served in several roles–as a Consultant Pharmacist, Staff Pharmacist, and Quality Improvement Liaison, as well as later overseeing operations.
Amy holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the St Louis College of Pharmacy. Her interest in long-term care started during her collage internship and extended to full-time work post-graduation. Amy eventually moved into a more acute setting in hospital pharmacy, only to return to serve our aging population: her true passion.
GINA GAMBARO, BS
DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
Gina Gambaro
GINA GAMBARO, BS
DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
With 20 years of experience in business development, with the last 10 years in successful healthcare start-ups, Gina is a thought leader in healthcare business development. She joined Forum in 2019, and is responsible for driving growth and expanding Forum’s market reach. Having successfully navigated business growth for post-acute focused companies like Redilearning/Relias, CareMerge and CipherHealth, Gina’s ability to create unique growth strategies around identified markets has honed her business development expertise. Her success is achieved by working closely with clients to the find the right solutions that ultimately increase their margins and produce higher resident satisfaction.
Gina holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business and Human Environmental Sciences from the University of Missouri. She is a volunteer youth coach for multiple youth sports associations and is a field volunteer for the Saint Vincent de Paul Society.
FRANCES IMPASTATO, BS, LPhT
DIRECTOR OF PHARMACY OPERATIONS
Frances Impastato
FRANCES IMPASTATO, BS, LPhT
DIRECTOR OF PHARMACY OPERATIONS
Frances joined Forum in 2001 with experience in inpatient and outpatient environments, having worked in Caremark’s mail order pharmacy operations, at Our Lady of Resurrection Hospital, and in retail pharmacy. Her ability to master complicated operations, logistics, and technology has made her an invaluable asset to Forum, taking on ever-more complex roles and rising to higher levels of responsibility.
After moving into pharmacy operations management in 2008 and successfully overseeing the pharmacy’s expansion and integration of electronic medication administration records (eMARs), she was promoted to Director of Pharmacy Operations in 2015, where she is responsible for providing direction and oversight for all non-clinical dispensing operations.
Frances holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Management and Business from National Louis University. She is a member of the NLU Honor Society and National Society of Leadership and Success and is a licensed Pharmacy Technician.
DENNIS JOY, BS, MS, LPhT
DIRECTOR OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
DENNIS JOY
DENNIS JOY, BS, MS, LPhT
Director of Information Technology
Dennis joined Forum in 2001 as a part-time Pharmacy Technician during college and became the company’s first full-time IT employee in 2003. With more than 15 years in healthcare-specific IT, Dennis has helped Forum adopt a wide range of technologies to improve customer service and employee satisfaction. He has helped the department grow as he took on greater leadership responsibilities, including 24/7 support for our staff, and was named department Manager in 2010 and Director of IT in 2017.
Dennis holds a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and completed a Master Degree in Health Informatics from the University of Illinois at Chicago in 2017. In his free time, Dennis enjoys photography and baking; his photos of residents and caregivers are featured prominently in Forum’s décor.
SEE THE LATEST NEWS, EVENTS & SUCCESS STORIES
Forum Expands Pharmacy Operations in Central Illinois
thartsoe@quantum-age.com2021-09-27T17:02:33+00:00September 27th, 2021|Education & Resources, News|
As an essential partner in long-term and senior care, Forum Extended Care Services has upgraded its Central Illinois operations, moving into a larger, more
Emerging Antibiotic-Resistant Infections in Nursing Facilities Setting Off Alarms
thartsoe@quantum-age.com2021-09-24T21:53:26+00:00September 24th, 2021|Education & Resources, News|
Emerging antibiotic-resistant infections are causing new concerns, as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has identified nursing facility patients with anti-fungal resistant
CDC Updates Guidelines on COVID Infection Prevention and Control in Nursing Facilities
thartsoe@quantum-age.com2021-09-17T20:04:14+00:00September 17th, 2021|COVID-19|
While it doesn’t represent major changes, the revised guidance on preventing and controlling COVID-19 in nursing home is worth noting. As the Centers for
C.E. PROGRAMS
Rising Above the Rest: Using Your Brand to Impact Recruitment, Retention, and Reputation
thartsoe@quantum-age.com2021-09-17T15:22:05+00:00Tags: Upcoming Webinar|
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