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AMCP Foundation Volunteer Spotlight: Saira A. Jan

Saira A. Jan

Volunteers are important members of the AMCP Foundation team (check out our current opportunities to give your time). Saira A. Jan, MS, PharmD, vice president and chief pharmacy officer at Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, has been an outstanding volunteer for many years. She recently served as clinical professor at the Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy at Rutgers University, and has more than 25 years of experience in academia, research, and health care management. 

Saira is active in many organizations and worked closely with both domestic and foreign health care leaders to incorporate high standards into clinical programs. An AMCP member since 1994, she has volunteered in many capacities, including as a frequent preceptor of AMCP Foundation summer interns. This year, Saira co-advised the Rutgers student pharmacist team that won third place in AMCP Foundation’s National P&T Competition. 

We caught up with Saira to get her thoughts on the value of volunteering.

How long have you volunteered with AMCP and AMCP Foundation, and what types of activities have you worked on over the years?  

  • AMCP Student Chapter Faculty Advisor (2004-present) 
  • AMCP Foundation P&T Competition Advisor (2004-present) 
  • Awareness Outreach Project Committee (2002–2003) 
  • Program Planning and Development Committee (1999-2000), (Co-Chair 2000–2001)  
  • Special Task Force Committee (1997-1998) 
  • Volunteer member for reviewing AMCP position papers, Professional Practice Committee member (1995-1997) 
  • National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) Task Force Committee as part of AMCP initiative
  • Residency Task Force Committee (1995-1997) 
  • Presented at AMCP national meetings  
  • Hosted the AMCP Foundation summer internship site  

What are some of your most enjoyable volunteer activities and experiences?  

I’ve enjoyed all the activities! It helped me to shape AMCP earlier on through program planning committees and bringing innovative programs to this day in the form of presentations to share with colleagues across the nation. The student chapter helped me expand the managed care curriculum not only at Rutgers but also provide that through residency to national programs. Shaping the future of health care delivery through AMCP has been the most rewarding experience for me for all these years. 

What role does AMCP and AMCP Foundation play in helping young pharmacists learn about managed care pharmacy and train for positions in the field?  

The national meetings provide a great forum for students to experience managed care at a national level. Interacting with students across the nation, the programs and sessions help them understand the wide variety of areas that managed care offers. The introduction for managed care for individuals who have recently joined the field helps them understand the different perspective for payers, pharma, PBMs, and health care cost that we all face with the rapidly growing pipeline.  

What would you tell others about AMCP Foundation and the value they can get out of volunteering?  

AMCP Foundation provides a lot of resources and networking opportunities to grow and learn about managed care. I highly recommend getting involved with different committees and be an active member of AMCP. Making a contribution with time investment or presenting or contributing in developing various programs or supporting students through this helps in giving back to the system that has given us so much over the years.  

Anything else you’d like to mention?  

I would add that AMCP has expanded significantly not only in the membership but the offerings they have provided over the years. When I started my career in managed care and did not have any background, joining the organization was the best recommendation I received. I met a lot of individuals that shaped my growth over the years and established long term connections and friendships. The venue is all about sharing and improving new innovative programs and delivering care that manages cost and improves clinical outcomes. 

Originally published in the June 2020 AMCP Foundation Insights e-newsletter.