By Jess Eldredge
Jennifer Stevens, Director of Pharmacy at Wellfleet, has been chosen from a pool of 190 young professional candidates as one of Business West’s 40 Under Forty. The 40 Under Forty program was created by the magazine to honor young professionals in western Massachusetts for career achievements and community service. Stevens feels she was able to achieve this honor thanks to the help of Team Wellfleet, and the opportunities this company has presented to her.
Jennifer played a pivotal role in the creation of the first pharmacy benefits solution designed exclusively for college students.
“Drew DiGiorgio, our President, came to me with the idea to create something unique, something tailored for college students. He gave me a blank slate and from there I collected data and gathered a team to choose a PBM partner and to be a sounding board to make this project happen,” Stevens recalled.
Wellfleet Rx’s new student program is projected to save the plan and its student members a collective $1 million in its first year alone.
To save students money on the prescription drugs they use most, Jennifer worked with pharmacy benefits and clinical consultants to analyze generic drug prices and clinical alternatives for antibiotics, antidepressants, acne treatments, and ADHD medications. She then worked to create a robust tier of 40 low-cost generic medications, offered to students at $0 copay, to eliminate financial barriers to students accessing these medications and to incentivize members away from high-priced generics and brand-name medications.
Jennifer has been with Wellfleet for 3½ years, starting as Provider Network Manager and forming the early beginnings of its Medical Management program. As Wellfleet grew, Stevens’ focus narrowed to pharmacy, leading to her current role. She appreciates how her job allows her to practice different skills such as strategy, customer service, and operations.
Jennifer and 39 other awardees are featured in Business West’s Apr. 29 issue. Business West will also celebrate the honorees at a gala in June.
Stevens was surprised and honored when she learned she had been both nominated and accepted for the 40 Under Forty award.
“I’ve kept up with Business West over the years and have always been impressed with the success of professionals chosen for this program,” she said.
Jennifer feels that her self-motivation, ambition, and prioritization have contributed to her success. “I don’t like to be bored. I always want to achieve results and outcomes while learning new skills along the way,” she said.
Jennifer enhances Wellfleet’s mission by listening to the needs of customers, remaining flexible, and taking feedback. When working on projects for clients and members, she thinks to herself, “If I was a student, what would I want from my health plan?” This question keeps her motivated to do her best work each day.
Jennifer is grateful to Wellfleet as a company for the team culture, customer-centricity, and feel-good atmosphere. She looks forward to continuing to grow her career as the company grows and forming new relationships along the way.