October 12, 2023 – Colby Newsome has been named Director of Behavioral Health Pharmacy for Appalachian Regional Healthcare (ARH).

Newsome began his career as a pharmacist with Hazard ARH Regional Medical Center in 2015 upon graduating from East Tennessee State University’s Bill Gatton College of Pharmacy. In 2019, he began serving as coordinator of clinical pharmacy services at Highlands ARH Regional Medical Center and transitioned to their director of inpatient pharmacy in January of 2023. From providing specialized services and helping patients manage their conditions through interprofessional collaboration, Newsome’s focus has always been on serving the patient.

“I am committed to bringing my clinical and administrative skills to this role. Thus far, I have collaborated with many talented professionals within the ARH team. We have been working diligently keeping our most important goal in mind- always improving patient care. I am confident that together, we can make a significant impact within this special population of patients in our region. Moving to the system level I am able to make a deeper impact and be a louder advocate for evidence-based practices and policies within all the ARH Behavioral Health facilities in Kentucky.”

Newsome is an active member of patient care teams at Harlan ARH Hospital, Hazard ARH Regional Medical Center, and Highlands ARH Regional Medical Center. Part of his role as a team member is to evaluate responses to medication and suggest modified treatment, resolve drug interactions, and provide medication education.

Newsome says he has identified some aspects of behavioral health that he will be focusing on such as analyzing and decreasing the use of multiple medications and developing supportive new policies and programs that will benefit our patients’ health and well-being now and long term.

Newsome comments, “This new position for ARH shows our commitment to serving patients with behavioral health needs.” He continued, “We are adapting and advancing new therapies and acknowledging new needs in our behavioral health patients. As this field continues to change, we should, too. ARH recognizes this and appreciates pharmacy’s influence in continuing to serve our patients and communities.”