Summer Intern Alumnus Spotlight: Michael Cattaneo

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

Over the past 27 years, nearly 200 student pharmacists have taken part in our summer internships. We're pleased to highlight our intern alumni in this reoccurring feature.  

Name: Michael Joseph Cattaneo, PharmD 
Current Title: Senior Director, National Payer Account Medical Lead, Pfizer 
Internship Program: Parke Davis (Pfizer) Managed Care Summer Internship 
Internship Site: Harvard Pilgrim Health Care 
Year: 1997 
 

What is your current position? 

I’ve worked for Pfizer Global Biopharmaceuticals since 2000. I’ve held roles in Outcomes Research and as a Regional Medical Research Specialist. My current role is as a Senior Director, National Payer Account Medical Lead. I focus on engagements with national payers and Medicaid with the goal of partnerships improving quality of care and solutions to improve access options for the patients.  

How did you first get involved with AMCP? 

My first introduction to AMCP was by my Dean at the University of Kansas who encouraged looking into AMCP as an organization dedicated to the future of health care. I was fortunate to be selected as an AMCP Foundation intern in 1997 at Harvard Pilgrim, and I was honored to have Jim Kenney as my preceptor then and my lifelong mentor now.   

What do you wish other people knew about the AMCP Foundation? 

The Foundation is an independent charitable organization dedicated to find and provide funding for research dedicated toward health care quality and cost-effective solutions.  

Are there any opportunities you feel a new college graduate should explore? 

I mentor students to explore all options for their career as a student and then as a new graduate. Through this exploration they will find their passion. As my father always said, “Success is defined by having an unquenchable search for knowledge.”  Also - once in your career, pay it forward. That’s the most rewarding part.  

What is your hope for the AMCP Foundation in the future? 

I see the Foundation will continue to grow, to continue to seek realistic scalable solutions that move the quality needle up, keeping costs realistic and manageable. To this end, more recognition and participation is essential.  

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