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The Iowa Idea: Melissa Murer Corrigan
In this episode of The Iowa Idea Podcast, I sit down with Melissa Murer Corrigan. Melissa was the founding Executive Director and CEO of the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) in Washington, D.C. from 1994-2011. In 2012, Melissa joined the educational assessment leader ACT as an executive leader for the Workforce Development Division. She then took on the role of Vice President of Social Impact in ACT’s Center for Equity in Learning. Melissa currently serves on the Board of Directors for the American Institute for the History of Pharmacy. Her contributions to pharmacy have been recognized by Drake University, who honored Melissa with the Weaver Medal.
Melissa and I talk about her journey into pharmacy, including her career start that included working in 52 Walgreen’s stores in her first year. We explore the importance of mentorship and paying it forward, as a way of paying it back. We discuss Melissa’s drive to encourage more women leaders. We also dig into the fascinating story of Zada Cooper. Zada was the first woman to graduate from The University of Iowa’s College of Pharmacy in 1897.
It was great having Melissa on the podcast. I thank her for her time and insights, and I hope you enjoy the episode.
About Melissa
Melissa Murer Corrigan was founding Executive Director and CEO of the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) in Washington, D.C. from 1994-2011. She also is an innovator in credentialing and pharmacy workforce initiatives. Melissa’s leadership launched the PTCB program that has now certified over 700,000 pharmacy technicians working across the United States in large chains such as Walgreens and CVS, health systems and community pharmacies. PTCB certified technicians serve millions of patients annually. Murer Corrigan embraced ambition, took risks, and was the only woman on the PTCB Board of Governors during her 17-year tenure as CEO.
In 2012 Melissa joined the educational assessment leader ACT in Iowa City as an executive leader for the Workforce Development Division and then progressed to serve as Vice President of Social Impact for ACT’s Center for Equity in Learning. Her current chapter includes leading the healthcare and credentialing consultancy Manville Heights LLC. She currently serves on the Board of Directors for the American Institute for the History of Pharmacy and is the host of the MelisRxScripts podcast.
Melissa has served as adjunct faculty with the University of Iowa College of Pharmacy since 2013. In 2015, she was named a Fellow of the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists and in 2016 Melissa was named a Fellow of the American Pharmacists Association. Also in 2016, she received the Honorary Alumni Award from the University of Iowa College of Pharmacy. She had the honor of being the commencement speaker for the University of Iowa College of Pharmacy in 2013 and Drake University in 2014.
Passionate about both leadership and encouraging women leaders, Melissa provided the vision for the inaugural Zada Cooper Leadership Symposium. This now annual event features women in pharmacy leadership roles and celebrates the legacy of Locally in Eastern Iowa, Melissa has been recognized as a Woman of Influence and has served on the Board of Directors for Corridor Women Connect.
Melissa is a graduate of Drake University’s College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. She received the 2010 Weaver Medal which is Drake University College of Pharmacy’s highest honor. Melissa is a past president of the Institute for Credentialing Excellence and received the association’s distinguished Certification Industry Leadership Award in 2008. She has served as President of the Board of Directors for the Council on Credentialing in Pharmacy. Melissa also received the Henry Cade Memorial Award from the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy in 2012.
Links:
https://www.melisrxscripts.com/
Credits
Episode produced by Spark Consulting Group (www.inspiredbyspark.com) in Iowa City, with support from Executive Podcast Solutions (https://www.executivepodcastsolutions.com/)
The Iowa Idea Podcast music was written and performed by Paisley Bible (https://paisleybible.bandcamp.com/).