Game Changer Heather Zenk (Health Tech)

In Game Changers, Game Changers Health Tech 12, Health Tech by Mary Kurek

Heather Zenk, R.Ph., PharmD, Senior Vice President, Manufacturer and Replenishment Operations at AmerisourceBergen, US


Why This Focus of Impact:

Heather Zenk on Health Tech starts here:  Heather Zenk, R.Ph., PharmD., is Senior Vice President, Manufacturer and Replenishment Operations at AmerisourceBergen Corporation. She has responsibilities for developing and implementing traceability business processes and technology that will enhance patient safety, further secure the pharmaceutical supply chain, and create broader service offerings to manufacturer partners and AmerisourceBergen customers. In addition, Heather also manages replenishment operations for the enterprise as well as manufacturer programs and data.  Heather has over 15 years of pharmacy, procurement, and supply chain experience, which she has utilized in her career at AmerisourceBergen including that of Vice President, Distribution Center Manager at the Chicago Distribution Center, SAP business liaison; and running operations at the Canadian Distribution Network.  She received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the College of St. Benedict, St. Joseph, MN, and a Doctorate of Pharmacy degree from the University of Minnesota. Heather is dedicated to patient safety and advocacy, and, as such, she continues to maintain her license to practice pharmacy in Minnesota as well as in Illinois.


Accomplishments:

  • Featured in national media publications as an expert on global serialization and Blockchain’s implications for the pharmaceutical supply chain.
  • Partnered with SAP to develop an innovative data management solution called Advance Track & Trace for Pharmaceuticals (ATTP), which led to AmerisourceBergen receiving Healthcare Distribution Alliance’s (HDA) 2016 Distribution Management Award.
  • A dedicated Thought Leader on the Drug Supply Chain Security Act (DSCSA), having participated in crafting the regulatory and legal requirements of the DSCSA legislation before it became law in 2013.

Looking Ahead:

As part of the working group for the MediLedger Project, Heather is exploring emerging technology, including Blockchain, to improve the efficiency of the pharmaceutical supply chain. Given AmerisourceBergen’s unique position within the supply chain, the company is leveraging experience with partners across the industry to help create solutions that enable collaboration and adoption among stakeholders. Heather is confident that the more communication and transparency there is among the supply chain participants, the more success there will be in driving patient access to pharmaceutical products.


Networking Interests:

  • Manufacturers and regulatory agencies across the globe to pursue efficiencies across the supply chain
  • Subject matter experts on global serialization efforts
  • Innovative data-sharing technology companies

Contact: