Shields Health Solutions Partners With Baptist Health on Specialty Pharmacy

Shields Health Solutions, the specialty pharmacy accelerator that partners with health systems to build and operate integrated specialty pharmacy programs, announced on June 9 a new collaboration with Baptist Health.¹ The partnership establishes the Baptist Specialty Pharmacy at Baptist MD Anderson Cancer Center in Jacksonville, Florida, bringing integrated specialty pharmacy services directly into Baptist Health’s provider network.

The program launches with an initial focus on rheumatology, with oncology scheduled to follow shortly thereafter, before expanding into additional therapeutic areas to meet the full range of specialty medication needs across Baptist Health’s patient population.

“Baptist Health in Jacksonville has a strong reputation for delivering high-quality, patient-centered care,” said Michael Ham, CEO of Shields Health Solutions, in a statement. “Working together with Baptist Health, we are broadening access to specialty medications and making it easier for patients to navigate challenging diagnoses and complex therapies—helping them achieve better outcomes and healthier well-being.”

Streamlining Access for Patients With Complex Conditions

The Baptist Specialty Pharmacy is designed to serve patients managing chronic and complex conditions, including cancer, multiple sclerosis, and autoimmune diseases, populations that depend on high-cost, often difficult-to-access specialty medications. Patients can receive prescriptions through the onsite retail pharmacy or via a direct-to-patient prescription delivery service, reducing the logistical burden that often delays initiation of specialty therapy.

The program also provides a suite of personalized support services, including insurance navigation and financial assistance programming, aimed at lowering out-of-pocket costs and improving medication adherence. By handling prior authorizations, benefit investigations, and co-pay support in-house, the model reduces administrative demands on Baptist Health’s clinical teams, freeing providers to focus on care delivery rather than medication access hurdles.

“Patients should be focused on their health and recovery—not worrying about how to access the medications they need,” said Keith Schissler, PharmD, MBA, RPh, vice president of system pharmacy at Baptist Health, in a statement. “If we can make that process easier and less stressful, that is an important step we are proud to take.”

The Power of Integrated Pharmacy

Evidence suggests that integrated health-system specialty pharmacy models can deliver measurable benefits for patients, providers, and health systems. A 2021 report from Vanderbilt University Medical Center found that integrated specialty pharmacies improve medication access, adherence, and persistence while increasing patient satisfaction, accelerating treatment initiation, reducing provider burden, and lowering patient out-of-pocket costs. Researchers attributed these outcomes to pharmacists being embedded within care teams and having direct access to electronic health records, enabling closer coordination across the treatment continuum.² Additional research has shown that integrated specialty pharmacy services can improve medication adherence and clinical outcomes. In one study of patients receiving HIV antiretroviral therapy, integrated specialty pharmacy services were associated with improved adherence, viral suppression, and CD4 count.³

Outcomes Evidence Behind the Model

The collaboration is grounded in demonstrated outcomes. According to Shields’ 2025 Specialty Pharmacy Outcomes Report, 92% of rheumatology patients served through Shields-powered specialty pharmacy programs reported no missed days of planned activities, school, or work, compared with an industry benchmark of 50%.¹

The phased rollout, beginning with rheumatology, adding oncology, and expanding from there, mirrors the approach Shields has taken across its growing network of health system partners nationally. As specialty drug spending continues to grow, integrated specialty pharmacy models are receiving increased attention from health systems, payers, and pharmacy leaders focused on improving access and outcomes.

References

1. Shields Health Solutions brings integrated specialty pharmacy services to Baptist Health in Jacksonville. News release. Shields Health Solutions. June 9, 2026. Accessed June 10, 2026. https://shieldshealthsolutions.com/shields-health-solutions-brings-integrated-specialty-pharmacy-services-to-baptist-health-in-jacksonville/
2. Zuckerman AD, Shah NB, Peter ME, et al. Development, implementation, and evaluation of a health outcomes and research program at an integrated health-system specialty pharmacy. Am J Health Syst Pharm. 2021;78(11):972-981. doi:10.1093/ajhp/zxab082
3. Barnes E, Giumenta A, Johnson M, Zhao J. The impact of an integrated health-system specialty pharmacy on HIV antiretroviral therapy adherence, viral suppression and CD4 count in an outpatient ID clinic. J Drug Assess. 2019;8(suppl 1):4. doi:10.1080/21556660.2019.1658309