2020 Next-Generation Pharmacist

The program’s top honor, the Next-Generation Pharmacist is selected from among the winners of the pharmacist categories and is awarded to the pharmacist who is defining the future of pharmacy by his or her uncompromising vision for a specific pharmacy or for the pharmacy industry overall. The winner in this category must be a licensed pharmacist.

Allison Burns, Pharm.D., RPh
EMO Health

Source of Inspiration

I entered pharmacy to make meaningful changes in opioid and naloxone dispensing after I was over-prescribed painkillers in the military and returned home to see my fellow veterans overdosing. We raised our hands to serve overseas, not to die at home under the care of our doctors.

Greatest Achievements

Established my 501c3 nonprofit EMO Health in pharmacy school went on to achieve the following:

• Established Opioid Rescue (first traveling pharmacy without walls to dispense naloxone)
• Launched first model of medication management in ASAM 3.1 level of care, expanded to 33 facilities across Massachusetts
• Launched first addiction APPE rotation in Massachusetts; now accepting students from Canada to Washington state
• Partnered with CDC and became pharmacist advisor for MA Department of Public Health – BSAS
• Became youngest CEO of Hope House Addiction Services (95 bed facility with inpatient, outpatient, and transitional housing services)
• Launched only integrated Substance Use Disorder Co-occurring Enhanced program licensed in Massachusetts

Personal Philosophy

If you do what is easy, your life will be hard. If you do what is hard, your life will become easy.

Vision for Pharmacy

Pharmacists becoming healthcare providers to promote safe medication use and increase access to care across the United States.