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Melisa Puckey, BPharm – Senior Editorial Pharmacist

melisa puckeyMelisa Puckey is a registered pharmacist and experienced medical writer with a strong foundation in both clinical practice and medical communication. She works on the front lines of community pharmacy in New Zealand, where precision, fast decision-making, and patient trust are essential. Her commitment to clear, science-based health information is reflected in her editorial focus on COVID-19, dermatology, oncology, and reproductive medicine. She contributes to respected platforms like Drugs.com and supports patients in person, always focused on delivering accurate guidance grounded in real-world care.

Qualifications & Training

Professional Credentials

Memberships & Associations

Social Presence

Holly McCain, PharmD – Senior Long‑Term Care Pharmacist

Holly MccainHolly McCain is a pharmacist with deep expertise in long-term care across skilled nursing, assisted and independent living, ICF/IDD, and medical-at-home settings. Her background blends patient care with six years in pharmacy management, where she supervised teams, led inspections, and implemented automated dispensing systems. She has strong knowledge of Medicare and Medicaid and aligns clinical operations with senior care regulations. Her focus includes medication safety, sterile IV compounding, and policy development – supporting providers in delivering consistent, compliant, and effective care.

Academic Background

Professional Credentials

  • Licensed Pharmacist-in-Charge with responsibility for regulatory inspections, team leadership, and pharmacy automation systems (Parata, Dosis)
  • Oversees sterile IV compounding for long-term care facilities and ensures safe, efficient preparation
  • Manages pharmacy teams, including pharmacists, technicians, and students in training
  • Reviews and verifies medication orders using systems like QS1 and Docutrack
  • Ensures accurate dispensing in adherence packaging, using Check Pass for final product verification
  • Provides on-call support and clinical coverage outside regular hours
  • Experienced in leading pharmacy transitions and aligning operations with corporate standards and compliance requirements

Memberships & Associations

Clinical & Regulatory Expertise

  • Strong track record in long-term care pharmacy leadership
  • Deep familiarity with Medicare, Medicaid, and state-level regulations
  • Advanced skills in sterile compounding and pharmacy automation systems

Social Presence

Meghan Maynard Harlan, PharmD – Pharmacist

Meghan Maynard HarlanMeghan Maynard Harlan is a multi-state licensed pharmacist with nine years of experience across retail, hospital, and long-term care settings. She applies a versatile skill set spanning patient counseling, medication therapy management, immunization delivery, and coordinated care across diverse pharmacy environments. Known for her clear communication and hands-on approach, she’s licensed in Tennessee, Kentucky, Arkansas, and Kansas. Meghan bridges in-person and institutional services with a focus on safety, efficiency, regulatory accuracy, and meaningful patient outcomes.

Academic Background

Professional Expertise

  • Dispenses and counsels patients in retail, hospital, and long-term care pharmacies
  • Proficient in medication therapy management (MTM) and chronic disease interventions
  • Coordinates with healthcare teams across settings to streamline care transitions
  • Conducts accurate order verification, compounding, and adherence packaging
  • Oversees compliance with state-by-state pharmacy regulations and quality standards

Memberships & Associations

Social Presence

Chris Schwerdt, PharmD – Clinical Pharmacist

Chris SchwerdtChris Schwerdt is a seasoned clinical pharmacist with over 20 years of expertise in long-term care, pharmacy operations, and consulting. He has successfully owned and managed a closed-door drugstore, and offers strategic, solutions-driven expertise in Medication Therapy Management and formulary development. Serving on multiple Pharmacy & Therapeutics (P&T) committees for both industry and government programs, Chris is recognized for his leadership in drug utilization review, formulary decision-making, and optimizing safe, effective, patient-centered care.

Academic Background

Professional Expertise

  • Manages clinical pharmacy operations and program compliance in long-term care
  • Consults on formulary design and participates in P&T committee evaluations
  • Leads closed-door pharmacy business operations, including clinical service integration
  • Develops medication policies and conducts utilization reviews for industry/government programs
  • Provides ongoing staff training, mentorship, and workflow optimization

Memberships & Associations

Social Presence