CVS Health has announced two key leadership appointments to further strengthen its Pharmacy and Consumer Wellness division. Len Shankman has been appointed as president of Pharmacy and Consumer Wellness (PCW), and Lucille Accetta, RPh, MPH, MBA, has been named the company’s chief pharmacy officer. Both executives will report to Prem Shah, group president of CVS Health. These appointments are effective immediately.
In his new role, Shankman will oversee CVS Health’s front store and retail pharmacy businesses, which span more than 9,000 CVS Pharmacy® locations across the United States. His primary responsibilities will include leading the ongoing development of digitally integrated services that cater to consumers’ health and wellness needs, providing them with access to services at the time and place they need it most. Shankman’s leadership will focus on continuing to expand the company’s commitment to delivering exceptional care and service.
Shankman has been with CVS Health for more than two decades, joining the company in 2002. Throughout his tenure, he has held various leadership roles, with his most recent position being senior vice president and chief financial officer of Pharmacy and Consumer Wellness. Shankman also has extensive experience in CVS Health’s Specialty Pharmacy division and served as general manager for Coram, the CVS Specialty infusion business. Prior to joining CVS Health, Shankman served in the United States Navy, which added to his leadership experience.
David Joyner, president and CEO of CVS Health, expressed his confidence in Shankman’s appointment, stating, “Len has a deep knowledge of our Pharmacy and Consumer Wellness business and our company, and his focus on strategy execution, operational strength, and financial performance will help us continue to lead in the market. His disciplined, strategic guidance will further position CVS Pharmacy as a trusted resource for the communities we serve.”
Lucille Accetta, as the newly appointed chief pharmacy officer, will advocate for the critical role of pharmacists in healthcare. In addition to her duties as chief pharmacy officer, Accetta will also oversee the Specialty Pharmacy, Coram, and Omnicare® businesses, continuing her role as senior vice president of Specialty Pharmacy Operations. Her leadership will ensure that CVS Health maximizes the integration and impact of its pharmacy assets across the organization.
Accetta joined CVS Health in 2017, bringing with her a wealth of experience in the pharmacy industry. She has progressively advanced in leadership roles within CVS Health’s Specialty Pharmacy business. Before joining the company, she held senior positions at Teva Pharmaceuticals, Rx Ally, Express Scripts, and Medco, where she honed her expertise in patient services management, pharmacy product development, and clinical operations.
Joyner commended Accetta’s leadership, saying, “Our specialty pharmacy is entrusted with the care of people who are facing challenging and complex diagnoses, and Lucille leads with heart, driving the operational excellence our patients deserve. Her unwavering focus on caring for patients makes her an excellent advocate for the profession.”
These leadership changes come at a time when CVS Health is experiencing strong performance within its Pharmacy and Consumer Wellness business. The company recently highlighted positive trends during its most recent earnings call, citing strong execution and the benefits of strategic investments in both workflows and colleagues. As a result, CVS Health has achieved a record-high retail pharmacy prescription share of 27.3%. The company has also made significant progress in transitioning to the CVS CostVantage model, having reached agreements covering more than half of its total commercial prescriptions.
With these leadership appointments, CVS Health continues to enhance its commitment to improving patient outcomes and expanding access to care. Under Shankman and Accetta’s guidance, the company is poised to strengthen its position as a leader in the healthcare industry, further solidifying its ability to deliver innovative, accessible, and effective pharmacy services.
