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Leading Through Innovation: How Higher Education Benefits are Managing GLP-1s

November 20, 2025 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM (EST)

Description

As many colleges and universities grapple with tighter budgets, declining enrollments, and rising operational costs, the importance of strategic workforce engagement has never been more apparent. GLP-1 drug management is at the heart of this issue, posing some of the most complex challenges to university benefits teams. Join Truven by Merative for a panel discussion on the ways higher education employers and plans are transforming diabetes and obesity care with GLP-1 management. Hear from benefits leaders from the University of Michigan, Penn State University, and the University of Minnesota as they guide attendees through the evolving landscape of collegiate benefits, offering perspectives and innovative solutions to balancing access, clinical impact, and financial sustainability for GLP-1 treatment. 

Learning Objectives:

After attending this webinar, participants will be able to:



  1. Apply real-world strategies and tools that have proven successful in elevating employee engagement and outcomes.
  2. Integrate analytics and storytelling through dashboards, a method that connects data to strategic planning, performance measurement, and campus-wide initiatives.
  3. Describe how top university leadership and benefit teams respond to periods of disruption and ambiguity—even when thinking about pharmacy benefit options.

SPEAKERS 

Katherine Shanahan is a pharmaceutical industry expert, assisting commercial and government payers, providers, and research teams in developing actionable pharmacy-related analytics, strategies, and programs. With a background in pharmacology, toxicology, drug research and development, she began working with payers over a decade ago, driven by the emergence of specialty medication and the opioid crisis. Katherine supports efforts to identify cost saving opportunities, improve prescribing quality, reduce misuse and abuse of medications, and lower barriers to effective treatment in order to make healthcare more affordable and effective for plans and patients alike. 

Dr. Stephen Lott is the Director of Pharmacy Benefits and PGY1 Managed Care Residency Program Director of the University of Michigan Prescription Drug Plan. In his current role, he is responsible for the management and oversight of pharmacy utilization across the University’s employee population. He serves as an adjunct clinical instructor for the University of Michigan College of Pharmacy, where he precepts pharmacy students and provides didactic lectures in various courses on health economics, outcomes research, and managed care. Dr. Lott also serves as an Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy (AMCP) Diplomat for the University of Michigan. Prior to his role with the University, he managed utilization review services for multiple payer groups, collaborated with payers and consultants on clinical utilization requirements and formulary strategies, and worked with industry partners and academic institutions on collaborative outcomes-based research initiatives. Dr. Lott obtained a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree with honors in biology from the University of Georgia, a Doctorate of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree from the University of Michigan, and a Master of Pharmaceutical Science (MS) degree in pharmaceutical outcomes and policy from the University of Florida. 

Rita Bartolacci is the Benefits Strategist for Penn State. She holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology from DeSales University. She has worked in governmental and healthcare Human Resources at various senior leadership levels for 25 years. She also obtained her Pennsylvania Nursing Licensure to provide additional healthcare background to her HR experience. She joined Penn State a little over six years ago as an HR Consultant and then HR Strategic Partner. She moved into her new position as the Benefits Strategist for the University in early 2020.  In this role, Rita manages the Healthcare and Wellbeing Strategy for Penn State as well as working on the design and administration of the University’s overall benefit programs and Total Rewards Strategy.  Rita enjoys combining her psychology, nursing and Human Resources backgrounds as well as her healthcare and benefits expertise to analyze claims data, strategize on plan design, promote employee well-being and develop employee-centered, value-based healthcare and Total Rewards Strategies for Penn State University.

As Director of Benefits and Time Away at the University of Minnesota, Katie Kolodge works to ensure that the University’s benefits programs align with institutional goals and support the health and wellbeing of employees and their families. She brings both strategic insight and a practical approach to her work, translating complexity into benefit programs that are clear, accessible, and impactful. Before joining the University, Katie served in human resources and benefits roles with the City of Minneapolis and ISD 622, where she developed a deep appreciation for the role public institutions play in supporting their employees and communities. With nearly 20 years of experience in HR and benefits, Katie is dedicated to designing programs that reflect empathy, equity, and evidence, and to fostering workplaces where employees feel supported and respected.

Location

This is a virtual event.

Pricing

HERO Webinars are free for all HERO Members and Non-Members!

Non-Members receiving Continuing Education Credits $40

All attendees can request a certificate of attendance and continuing education credit (if available) - Please note that HERO Members receive this service free of charge and Non-Members pay a fee of $40. 

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Contact Information

Health Enhancement Research Organization | HERO
Name: Bailey Nolting
Email: bnolting@maysquarellc.com
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