Meet The CALTCM Board of Directors:  

Janice Hoffman, Pharm.D., CGP, FASCP

CALTCM BOD Member

On November 5, 2014 at the American Society of Consultant Pharmacists Annual Meeting Dr. Hoffman received the “Excellence in Geriatric Pharmacy Practice Award” which nationally recognizes the Certified Geriatric Pharmacist (CGP) who fosters the principles of good pharmacy practice, demonstrates excellence in geriatric patient care, and promotes the value and rigorous standards established by Commission for Certification in Geriatric Pharmacy (CCGP.)

Dr. Hoffman is a consultant Pharmacist at S+AGE in Sherman Oaks.  She is also the Director, Postgraduate Residency Program, Jewish Home for the Aging, American Society of Consultant Pharmacists-CA Chapter- President, Associate Professor of Pharmacy Practice and Administration, Western University of Health Sciences College of Pharmacy.  CONGRATULATIONS!

CALTCM: Please give us a brief background of your training and practice setting and years in practice.

Dr. Hoffman: Pharm.D. degree from the University of Southern California School of Pharmacy  (1988)  Residency in Clinical/Administrative Psychiatric and Neurologic Pharmacy Practice with an emphasis in Geriatrics from the University of Maryland at Baltimore  (1989)

Certified Geriatric Pharmacist  x 5 years. Commission for Certification in Geriatric Pharmacy  (CCGP) Excellence in Geriatric Practice Award 2014  (international recognition as there are only 2500 CGP around the world) I have practiced in a variety of settings for the past 26 years, SNF, ALF, Director of Pharmacy Services at free standing psychiatric hospitals and the last 6 years in academia servicing the Los Angeles Jewish Home for the Aging and S+AGE Clinic. 

CALTCM: What are you passionate about in long term care?  How are you pursuing your passion?

Dr. Hoffman:  I am passionate about decreasing polypharmacy as best possible to provide the highest quality of life for my patients. I get excited to plan a tapering regimen of a psychiatric medication or to be able to discontinue medications no longer needed or just simplifying a regimen to improve compliance. Working with the physicians at S+AGE clinic is fantastic because I can impact the medication regimen at the prescription writing level.

CALTCM: What advice would you give to a new graduate contemplating a career in long term care?

Dr. Hoffman: Practicing in geriatric pharmacy is challenging and rewarding - Geriatric patients are the most complicated cases as they have end stage of multiple disease states, see multiple physician specialists and are on a complex regimen of medications. As a pharmacist working as an interprofessional team member, I find it's very satisfying to have a collaborative relationship with providers that result in simplified and safer medication regimens that often are less expensive with better outcomes.  My advice is to consider LTC if you like a challenge and want to feel fulfilled by helping patients and families as well as facilities.

CALTCM:  What additional training do you wish you had that may help with your current practice?    

Dr. Hoffman: I think my training was great for my career path –Doing a residency in psychiatry/neurology has been very beneficial. I wish I had sat for the Certified Geriatric Exam earlier to have fully used my knowledge.

CALTCM:  How has CALTCM impacted your practice?