Ascension's National Medication Safety Officer Exits

Chris Bell, PharmD, is no longer with Ascension, the St. Louis-based Catholic health system, after roughly two years as national senior director and medication safety officer, according to Becker's Hospital Review. Bell announced the move in a Sept. 2 LinkedIn post, writing that he "wrapped" his tenure this week before "starting a new adventure" and thanking colleagues for the experience. He had held the role since September 2023.

Medication safety officers oversee the systems, protocols, and technology that reduce prescribing and dispensing errors, a job that spans pharmacy operations, clinical informatics, and patient safety. At a system the size of Ascension, which operates roughly 100 hospitals across multiple states, the role carries national scope over standardization and error-prevention efforts.

The departure adds to ongoing leadership turnover at Ascension, which has weathered a high-profile 2024 ransomware attack and a series of executive changes. Bell did not name his next employer.