The ICP program was designed and implemented in 2017 to provide NCS members a venue to initiate or expand clinical pharmacy services in the neuro ICU. Applicants request that a senior member of the pharmacy section visit their institution to meet appropriate stakeholders, give a presentation, help tackle issues faced when starting a new neuro ICU, and/or round with the clinical team to provide insights and recommendations on fostering pharmacist involvement. Both the applicant and invited clinical pharmacist (ICP) are encouraged to present their experiences at the following annual meeting. This year, the NCS pharmacy section was able to coordinate one ICP visit at Infirmary Health in Mobile, Alabama. This hospital is in the process of establishing a neurointensivist program and below is a summary of the visit from the perspective of the host pharmacist at Infirmary Health and the ICP.

“The Neurocritical Care Society’s Invited Clinical Pharmacist program is an incredibly rewarding experience. Dr. Casey May’s visit occurred at a time Mobile Infirmary’s neurocritical care service was experiencing substantial growth and development. Our institution had expanded the number of neurocritical care beds, introduced new neurospecialists to the team, and was planning to implement a neurointensivist program and apply for certification as a Joint Commission Comprehensive Stroke Center. As the pharmacist assigned to the neurocritical care unit, I have felt challenged to develop a service line that better meets the unique needs of our patient population. I have come to rely on the Neurocritical Care Society for resources and having the chance to participate in this program has been invaluable. During her visit, Dr. May provided a lecture to pharmacy staff on a range of neurocritical care topics. She also met with stakeholders to discuss the development of protocols for status epilepticus and intraventricular medication administration. And among our many discussions, she provided me with content and advice to bolster the neurocritical care learning experience I can provide for pharmacy students and residents. Dr. May provided resources, ideas, and mentorship which has extended beyond the two-day site visit. This program has given me a path forward to growing my practice and our institution’s neurocritical care pharmacy service. I cannot recommend participation in this program highly enough.” – Rachel Simons, PharmD (Neuro ICU Pharmacist at Infirmary Health in Mobile, Alabama)

“The ICP trip to Infirmary Health in Mobile, Alabama was a very fulfilling experience for me. Dr. Rachel Simons and I had a lot of wonderful conversations and idea sharing across the spectrum of neurocritical care including, but not limited to: status epilepticus, ICH blood pressure management, anticoagulation reversal, ICP control, intraventricular medication administration, intra-arterial medication administration, order sets, medications to stock in the ADC, tactics on educating her advanced practice providers, nursing staff, pharmacy colleagues, and pharmacy learners. I believe this experience will be vital for her as she continues to help her providers develop a closed neurocritical care unit which is expected to launch in August 2024. During my visit I provided a lecture entitled, “Neurocritical Care Pharmacotherapy: A Potpourri,” which covered a wide variety of topics that Dr. Simons had asked me to educate her pharmacy colleagues on. I met with pharmacy leadership to discuss the unique aspects of neurocritical care and how they could support Dr. Simons as she takes on the role of a Neuro ICU Pharmacy Specialist. This hospital is also working to become a comprehensive stroke center, which will be an amazing win for the people of Mobile, Alabama. I will continue to work with and mentor Dr. Simons as she works to improve the care for patients in her neurocritical care unit.” – Casey C. May, PharmD, BCCCP, FNCS

History of the ICP program:

2018: Gretchen Brophy, PharmD--University of California at Davis

2019: John Lewin, PharmD--University of Kansas City Health System 

2020-2021: None due to COVID

2022: Salia Farrokh, PharmD--Medstar Hospital Franklin Square in Baltimore, MD

2022: Christopher Morrison, PharmD--Memorial Hermann Memorial City Medical Center in Houston, TX

2023: Casey May, PharmD--Infirmary Health in Mobile, AL