Northwell Health’s Ashley Galla reflects on pharmacy career, new ASHP Fellowship and relationship with Binghamton
She remains a driving force, committed to improving patient care and advancing the pharmacy profession
Ashley Galla, vice president of clinical operations at Northwell Health’s Vivo Health Pharmacy, recently reflected on her journey in pharmacy and her induction as a fellow of the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP).
Galla’s path to Northwell Health began at Northeastern University in Boston, where she obtained her Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD). Following her graduation, Galla was drawn to ambulatory care, where she built meaningful relationships with patients and was involved in clinical decision-making.
“During my final year of pharmacy school, a couple of rotations opened my eyes to the world of ambulatory care where pharmacists may operate at the top of their licenses, helping manage patients’ chronic conditions,” she said. “Over time, I had the opportunity to build relationships with patients and see them meet their therapeutic goals.”
To hone her skills, Galla pursued postgraduate residency training at the Bay Pines Veterans Affairs Health System in Florida, where she specialized in ambulatory care.
“Postgraduate residency training is not a requirement, but I felt it was something I needed to do to perform at my best,” she said. “It allowed me to specialize in ambulatory care and provided a comprehensive experience that was crucial for my professional development.”
Her career took a significant turn when she joined Long Island University as an assistant professor providing clinical services and learning experiences at St. Luke Hospital in Manhattan. There, Galla was instrumental in expanding clinical practice for pharmacists and introducing collaborative practice agreements. Her commitment to residency training and desire for a new challenge led her to Long Island Jewish Medical Center, part of the Northwell system, where she directed a residency program and contributed to expanding inpatient clinical pharmacy services.
“I realized the power of networking,” she said. “There were graduates of my residency program who had taken ambulatory care positions in New York, and through them, I was offered the opportunity to interview for a position at Long Island University. Networking has been instrumental in my career progression.”
Galla’s dedication to improving patient care and fostering professional growth caught the attention of her colleagues. This led to her current role at Vivo Health Pharmacy, where she has been pivotal in building Northwell’s ambulatory pharmacy network and specialty pharmacy program. Galla’s expertise in developing ambulatory clinical pharmacy services and her involvement in accreditations and quality programs have been key to her successful transition back to ambulatory care.
Recently, Galla was honored with the ASHP Fellowship, a recognition she describes as a career highlight.
“For me, this is like a career achievement award,” she said. “It’s special because you have to demonstrate significant and sustained accomplishments to the profession. I set this as a personal goal early in my career, and it’s incredibly fulfilling to have achieved it.”
In addition to her professional achievements, Galla has been actively involved with Binghamton University’s School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. Northwell Health and Binghamton University have developed a strong partnership, providing quality education and innovative opportunities for students. Galla emphasized the importance of this relationship, noting the mutual benefits and the collaborative efforts to continuously improve the quality of the program.
“Binghamton has always been great about providing educational opportunities and listening to our feedback,” she said. “One innovative initiative we collaborated on was the downstate Clinical Education Center, where students attended classes synchronously with their peers upstate, offering them excellent exposure to our organization and operations.”
Galla attributed her success to the power of networking, continuous professional development, and the support of her colleagues and mentors. As Northwell Health continues to expand its services and innovate in the healthcare industry, she remains a driving force, committed to improving patient care and advancing the pharmacy profession.