CVS Health® (NYSE: CVS) has announced key leadership changes within its Pharmacy and Consumer Wellness (PCW) division. Len Shankman has been appointed president of PCW, reporting to Prem Shah, group president of CVS Health. Lucille Accetta, RPh, MPH, MBA, has also been named chief pharmacy officer, reporting to Shah. Both roles are effective immediately.
As president of Pharmacy and Consumer Wellness, Shankman will oversee the company’s front store and retail pharmacy operations across more than 9,000 CVS Pharmacy® locations. His primary focus will be on leading the team to deliver integrated, digitally-driven health and wellness experiences that cater to consumers’ needs. Shankman’s leadership will continue to enhance CVS Health’s ability to address customers’ health needs conveniently and efficiently, in line with the company’s mission of improving community health.
Shankman joined CVS Health in 2002 and has risen through the ranks, holding various leadership roles. He most recently served as senior vice president and chief financial officer of Pharmacy and Consumer Wellness. Previously, Shankman led CVS Health’s Specialty Pharmacy business and served as the general manager for Coram, the company’s specialty infusion service. Before his career at CVS Health, Shankman served in the United States Navy, bringing a wealth of discipline and leadership experience to his new role.
David Joyner, president and CEO of CVS Health, expressed confidence in Shankman’s leadership, stating, “Len has a deep understanding of our business and a proven track record of delivering strategic execution and operational excellence. His leadership will help us continue to strengthen our position as a trusted resource in health and wellness for the communities we serve.”
Accetta, as chief pharmacy officer, will be responsible for advancing the role of pharmacists in healthcare. Her duties include creating and implementing strategic initiatives to connect pharmacy assets across CVS Health’s entire network. Additionally, Accetta will maintain her oversight of the Specialty Pharmacy, Coram, and Omnicare® businesses as senior vice president of Specialty Pharmacy Operations.
Accetta joined CVS Health in 2017 and has held leadership roles within the Specialty Pharmacy business. Her extensive background in patient services management, pharmacy product development, and clinical operations comes from her previous positions at Teva Pharmaceuticals, Rx Ally, Express Scripts, and Medco. Joyner praised Accetta’s leadership in the specialty pharmacy sector, noting, “Lucille leads with heart and has an unwavering commitment to operational excellence and patient care. Her deep passion for pharmacy makes her a strong advocate for the profession.”
CVS Health recently highlighted strong trends in its Pharmacy and Consumer Wellness business during its most recent earnings call. The company reported significant progress, including a record-high retail pharmacy prescription share of 27.3%. Additionally, CVS Health has made substantial strides in its transition to the CVS CostVantage model, securing agreements for more than half of its total commercial prescriptions.
CVS Health remains committed to its mission of delivering innovative health solutions, improving access to care, and supporting the well-being of communities across the United States. With a team of more than 300,000 employees, including over 40,000 healthcare professionals, CVS Health continues to offer comprehensive care, whether managing chronic conditions, assisting with medication compliance, or providing affordable health services in convenient settings.
