Mona Chitre

PharmD
Chief Pharmacy Officer and President of Candesa Pharmacy Solutions

Dr. Mona Chitre manages pharmacy clinical initiatives including formulary management, Pharmacy and Therapeutic Committee, utilization management, drug policy development, specialty pharmacy, and physician education. She works closely with the company’s clinical quality and medical management areas to deliver integrated services for our clients.

Dr. Chitre completed undergraduate and graduate training at Rutgers University and her post-doctoral primary care residency at the VA Hospital in Buffalo, N.Y. She is a registered pharmacist in both New York and New Jersey. She received certification in geriatric pharmacy from the Commission for the Certification in Geriatric Pharmacy and is currently assistant clinical professor at the University at Buffalo and Albany College of Pharmacy. Additionally, she is on the faculty of the University at Buffalo medical residency program.

Dr. Chitre has published over 25 articles on topics such as diabetes, infectious disease, heart failure, and neurological diseases. Additionally, she has presented at numerous pharmacy and managed care forums on health care integration, medical benefit management, and additional clinical topics. She serves as a peer reviewer for the Journal of Managed Care Pharmacy and for Managed Care Interface. She is an active member of the Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy and the American Society of Consultant Pharmacists.

Steve Conrad

R.Ph.
Rx Concierge Program Director

Steve Conrad, R.Ph. oversees the Rx Concierge program from both clinical and operational perspectives. He manages a team of pharmacists and outreach coordinators whose focus is to assure that our products successfully meet client goals and performance guarantees.

Steve earned his Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy from the University at Buffalo in 1995 and brings nearly 30 years of experience in both retail and clinical pharmacy. His extensive background in health plan management encompasses pharmacy utilization management and offering strategic guidance to providers within Accountable Care Organization partnerships. Additionally, he has held the role of regional supervisor for several major retail chains, further demonstrating his leadership and operational acumen in the industry.

Kristen Sultana

PharmD
Rx Concierge Program Supervisor

Kristen Sultana, Pharm D. has responsibilities which include identifying opportunities to convert high-cost, low-value medications to lower-cost, equally effective alternatives, and outreaching to providers to discuss these opportunities. She is skilled at evaluating medications for clinical efficacy, safety, and appropriateness. Additionally, as department supervisor, Kristen provides guidance to and oversight of the non-clinical Concierge staff.

Kristen earned a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree from the University at Buffalo in 2018. She worked as a pharmacy manager for a major retailer before joining our team in August 2021.

Michael Bengtson

R.Ph.
Pharmacy Client Services Program Manager

Michael Bengtson, R.Ph. has over 23 years of experience in several pharmacy knowledge areas, including retail pharmacy, pharmacy operations, and member care management (with the Federal Employee Program).

He has also served as a subject matter expert and clinical liaison for development of a proprietary prescription cost-savings software platform. Michael has a passion for continued learning and complex problem-solving which interfaces perfectly with his role.

Trang Nguyen

PharmD
Clinical Pharmacist, Client Services

Trang Nguyen, Pharm D. is responsible for identifying high-cost, low-value medication opportunities and proactively seeks alternative options that provide equal effectiveness and improve affordability. She actively engages with providers by performing outreach on these opportunities to advocate for the adoption of more cost-effective alternatives.

She earned her Doctor of Pharmacy degree in 2016 at Wegmans School of Pharmacy and specialized in working with the mental health population prior to coming to Candesa Pharmacy Solutions.

Lindsey Schuler

PharmD
Supervisor, Rx Concierge, Client Services

Lindsey Schuler, Pharm D.  has responsibilities which include detailing physician offices on more cost-effective prescription options for their patients, evaluating new to market drugs and monitoring changes in pricing trends. She is skilled in evaluating claims for new opportunities and developing novel ideas to integrate into the program.

Lindsey earned a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree from Wegmans School of Pharmacy at St. John Fisher in 2018. She worked as a pharmacy manager for a major retailer before joining our team in May 2022.

Gretchen LaDuca

VP,
Pharmacy Analytics & Business Strategy

Gretchen LaDuca provides financial support to our clients by evaluating cost savings opportunities and monitoring drug trends and pricing.

She earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from State University of New York at Geneseo and has 23 years of experience in the health care industry.

Keri Steen

Supervisor,
Pharmacy Analytics Consultant

Keri Steen is responsible for all day-to-day analytics and reporting for our innovative pharmacy services. She plays a pivotal role in driving data-driven decisions and optimizing program performance to ensure continuous improvement.

She has nine years of pharmacy analytics experience and earned her Master of Arts in Mathematics from the State University of New York Brockport.

Amanda Wegman

Director,
Pharmacy Strategic Planning

Amanda Wegman is responsible for aiding in the development and execution of strategic pharmacy programs. She helps guide employers through the ever-changing pharmacy landscape that includes prescribing trends and patterns, clinical developments, and actions to assure cost-effective use of prescription medications.

Amanda earned a bachelor’s degree from the University at Buffalo in chemistry and biology and brings nearly 15 years of health care experience to the team.

Lance Burgess

Vice President,
Diversified Growth

Lance Burgess is a proven executive leader with a track record of guiding companies, high performing teams, and developing innovative strategies to exceed goals. His track record of exceeding goals and delivering exceptional value has been a key driver to organizational success.  He effectively leads strategic vision, revenue development, new market expansion and sales optimization.  Lance works directly with distribution partners, clients, and consultants to bring value and innovative solutions to customers nationwide.

Lance earned his bachelor’s degree in Sports Management from the State University of New York at Brockport.

Amy Handelman

Director,
Pharmacy Growth

Amy Handelman is accountable for the oversight and management of the Pharmacy team. She provides consultation to our clients with a focus on the largest and most complex accounts. She brings over 20 years of strategic development to the team, with an emphasis on introducing innovative pharmacy solutions to the market, retention, and new business growth.

She earned a bachelor’s degree from Muhlenberg College and has over 20 years of experience in the healthcare industry.

Karli Corrigan

Manager,
Enterprise Pharmacy Growth

Karli Corrigan is responsible for assisting in development and execution of strategic pharmacy programs and providing pharmacy consultation to strategic accounts and other partnerships.

She earned a bachelor’s degree from the State University of New York at Brockport and has more than nine years of experience in the health care industry, with expertise in pharmacy programs. Karli is a licensed New York State Insurance Agent.

Michael Tempesta

National Pharmacy Consultant,
Atlantic Region

Michael has 15 years of experience in employee health and pharmaceutical benefits, with extensive expertise in administering self-funded benefits. He has successfully managed some of the largest and most complex employer medical and pharmaceutical benefit programs.

Michael recently joined our Candesa Pharmacy Solutions team and resides in South Carolina.  He is a graduate of Keuka College where he earned his Bachelor of Science in Business Management.

In addition to his client management experience, Michael is passionate about building trusted relationships with his clients and consultant partners. His goal is to prove clients with the tools, programs, and data they need to offer competitive benefit solutions for their employees. He believes in a hands-on service approach, ensuring clients feel comfortable coming to him with any inquiry.

Henry Thomas

National Pharmacy Consultant,
Southern Region

Henry has worked within the pharmacy industry for over 20 years, with a focus on Sales, Account Management, and Client Services. His primary roles revolved around cultivating relationships, listening to clients needs and goals and delivering with standard and outside the box solutions. Henry has worked with self-funded clients of all sizes and understands we must meet each individual client where they are.

Before joining Candesa Pharmacy Solutions, Henry spent six years working in Pharmacy Benefits as a Sales and Account Executive. Within this role he worked primarily within the central and western U.S. Henry is based out of Houston, TX and is a graduate of Kansas State University with a Bachelor of Science in Biology.