Kavish Choudhary, Pharm.D., M.S., has been appointed to the role of Chief Pharmacy Officer (CPO) at University of Utah Health Hospitals & Clinics. He co-led the pharmacy department during an interim period and steps into the official role beginning immediately.
As CPO, Choudhary will lead an 870-person pharmacy team, providing oversight for all pharmacy operations at University of Utah Health’s five hospitals and 11 community clinics. He will oversee the development, supervision, and coordination of the activities of pharmacy services and will direct the operations and strategic planning of customer/patient services, human resources, and financial management for the team. The CPO will also serve as an Associate Dean of Pharmacy Practice with the College of Pharmacy.
Choudhary has served as senior director of inpatient and infusion services at U of U Health since 2013, director of pharmacy support and infusion services from May 2012 to July 2013, and manager from June 2009 to April 2012. Before joining U of U Health, he held other leadership roles with Oregon Health & Science University and University of Wisconsin.
“I am humbled and honored to assume this role,” Choudhary says. “I’m excited about the opportunity to come to work every day and partner with our incredible team to deliver quality care to our patients. It’s thrilling to be a part of a collaborative team that is on the leading edge of exceptional patient care delivery and service.”
Choudhary received a Master of Science degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a Doctor of Pharmacy degree from Ohio Northern University, completing residency work at UW Health in Wisconsin. He is certified in Lean Six Sigma, training he received at University of Utah’s David Eccles School of Business.
Choudhary was named a Healthcare Hero by Utah Business Magazine in 2021, recognizing his work in delivering COVID-19 vaccines to the community. He was named a Champion of Humanistic Care by the Arnold P. Gold Foundation in 2021 and Pharmacist of the Year in 2020 by the Utah Society of Health-System Pharmacists.
Choudhary replaces Linda Tyler, Pharm.D, who retired from the CPO role in 2021. “We are grateful to Dr. Tyler for her work in building a foundation for success,” says Alison Flynn Gaffney, interim chief operations officer (COO) at U of U Health. “We know the department is in the most capable hands with Dr. Choudhary, and I’m certain he will continue to build on that success by partnering with our teams across our healthcare system and our community. Dr. Choudhary leads with humility, collaboration, accountability, inspiration, and presence front of mind. We are looking forward to his impact.”