Rosene D. Pirrello, RPh

Rosene Pirrello is Director of the Pharmacy at The Institute for Palliative Medicine at San Diego Hospice(SDHIPM). She is also Assistant Professor of Pharmacy at the Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego. She has extensive experience in health care management and has led the operation of comprehensive pharmacy services in as many as 8 locations, with 60 employees and a $20 million budget.

Since coming to SDHIPM, Rosene has facilitated the growth comprehensive clinical pharmacy and dispensing services. Today, the SDHIPM pharmacy provides oral and parenteral medications (infusions are compounded onsite) for 24 inpatients and more than 850 patients at home and in long-term care. Pharmacists are an integral part of the interdisciplinary careteam, including inpatient care, inpatient teaching rounds and other educational, research and advocacy activities. Our Palliative Medicine Fellows report that Rosene is one of their most important mentors in pharmacological management of symptoms and medical illnesses.

Rosene has also led the development of the curriculum for the new Skaggs School of Pharmacy in palliative care for both undergraduate students and pharmacy residents. In 2003, she was honored by the Southern California Cancer Pain Initiative for Excellence in Pain Management.

Rosene received her Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of Illinois College of Pharmacy. She subsequently completed an executive management fellowship at the Wharton School of Business, University of Pennsylvania. She initially joined the faculty of the University of Illinois College of Pharmacy as Clinical Assistant Professor where she provided clinical services to patients at the University of Illinois Hospital as well as taught pharmacy students. In San Diego, she worked at the Veteran’s Administration Hospital, Grossmont Hospital, and the Sharp Health Care before joining SDHIPM in 2002.