December 20, 2018

OHCA Contact: Jo Stainsby - (405) 522-7474; Katelynn Burns - (405) 522-7266

OHCA Pharmacy Director receives lifetime achievement award

OKLAHOMA CITY – Nancy Nesser, the Oklahoma Health Care Authority (OHCA) Pharmacy Director, recently received a lifetime achievement award, The Extra Mile Award, from Artia Solutions at the inaugural Crossroads Conference.

The Extra Mile Award is a prestigious honor created to recognize former or current state Medicaid officials who have shown continual concerted effort in doing or achieving something above what is expected. Their leadership qualities are esteemed by their peers and colleagues.

Nesser was one of three award recipients. The award was voted on by fellow pharmacy directors in other state Medicaid programs and pharmaceutical representatives from across the country. The award recipients are inducted into The Extra Mile Club. The Club was created to honor those who have shown continual concerted effort in doing or achieving something above what is expected.

“I could not think of a more deserving person for this incredible award. Nancy brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to OHCA and truly does go above and beyond in her role,” said OHCA CEO Becky Pasternik-Ikard.

“The Extra Mile Club inductees are considered leaders by their peers. They are thoughtful, decisive, and proactive. They collaborate with state peers, providers, pharmaceutical manufacturer associations, and other diverse thought leaders in the industry. They initiate discussions when others are hesitant; they maintain relationships; they show an ability and drive to pioneer creative, successful solutions,” said George Kitchens, President of Artia Solutions.  

Nesser has a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry and pharmacy, a Juris Doctorate and a Doctor of Pharmacy. She has 15 years of retail pharmacy experience and has worked at the Oklahoma Health Care Authority for 17 years. 

The Oklahoma Health Care Authority (OHCA) administers two health programs for the state. The first is SoonerCare, Oklahoma’s Medicaid program. SoonerCare works to improve the health of qualified Oklahomans by ensuring that medically necessary benefits and services are available. Qualifying Oklahomans include certain low-income children, seniors, the disabled, those being treated for breast or cervical cancer and those seeking family planning services. The second program OHCA operates is Insure Oklahoma, which assists qualifying adults and small business employees in obtaining health care coverage for themselves and their families. Currently, there are 815,375 Oklahomans enrolled in OHCA’s programs. The agency contracts with a network of 48,486 providers. For more information, visit www.okhca.org or www.insureoklahoma.org.