Cardinal Health Celebrates Women Who “Give to Gain” This Women’s History Month, Highlighting Patti Kienle’s Impact on Hospital Pharmacy
This Women’s History Month, Cardinal Health is honoring the women who mentor, advocate, and lead to advance the next generation of healthcare professionals. Among them is Patricia “Patti” Kienle, director of accreditation and medication safety, whose decades-long career in hospital pharmacy has shaped patient care and pharmacy practice nationwide.
Kienle’s career began in 1975, in a male-dominated industry resistant to hiring women. She started at Mercy Hospital in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, gaining responsibility for pharmaceutical services and materials management across the health system. When Owen Healthcare assumed management of the hospital’s pharmacies, Kienle transitioned, eventually joining Cardinal Health following an acquisition.
Colleagues recognize her influence:
“Patti is a tireless advocate for pharmacy, our patients, and our customers. Her relationships with accrediting bodies and professional organizations strengthen Cardinal Health and the hospitals we serve,” said Debra Fluno, director, pharmacy operations and account management.
At Cardinal Health, Kienle became one of the company’s first medication safety managers, focusing on enhancing patient care through pharmacy safety and best practices. Today, as director of accreditation and medication safety for Innovative Delivery Solutions (IDS), she guides hospital pharmacies across the U.S., promoting clinical and operational excellence.
Kienle is a Board-Certified Sterile Compounding Pharmacist (BCSCP) and has been instrumental in defining national standards for sterile pharmaceutical compounding through her work with the U.S. Pharmacopeia (USP). Her guidance informs hospital and pharmacy accreditation standards and has been shared widely through publications, conference presentations, and professional mentorship.
Kienle’s story mirrors the evolution of the pharmacy profession. Today, women comprise over 60% of pharmacists, reflecting decades of advocacy and leadership by pioneers like her. Even after 50 years in the field, Kienle continues to mentor, consult, and write, ensuring the next generation understands the critical role pharmacy plays in patient care.
Her advice to emerging pharmacists:
“Take up space in the profession. Be active in associations, be knowledgeable, and help others understand how crucial pharmacy truly is to the patient.”
Cardinal Health celebrates Patti Kienle and the countless women whose dedication and leadership continue to shape healthcare and advance patient care across the nation.
