Pharmacy Podcast Network

How AI is Transforming LTC Pharmacy | FrameworkFocus™

In this episode of FrameworkFocus, we explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping long-term care pharmacy. Rick Pollick and Kyle Nilson from SoftWriters’ Alpha Labs join us to discuss the industry-wide impact of AI, the benefits and challenges it presents, and how SoftWriters is bringing innovative, AI-driven workflows to life—starting with AI Order Entry Automation.

The Value of Community: A Conversation with the 2025 Community Leadership Award Finalists Episode Two | Cardinal Health™ Counter Talk™ Podcast

The Community Leadership Award is a prestigious award recognizing our community pharmacists and their commitment to their patients. Each year at the Retail Business Conference (RBC), this award is presented to an independent pharmacist who demonstrates a commitment to promoting the principles of community pharmacy.
                                                                                                                                                                            In this episode, Jason Callori speaks with finalist, Mike Burns, PharmD, AuBurn Pharmacies, on his advocacy efforts at the state and national level. Burns also discusses how his community involvements help him and his staff best serve their patients.

The Future of Pharmacy – Embracing AI and Emerging Technologies | SureCast LIVE

Speakers:
● Todd Eury – CEO, The Pharmacy Podcast Network (Moderator/Host)
● Calvin Hunsicker – Co-Founder & Chief Product Officer, SureCost (Product Vision & Innovation Lens)
● Amy Cruse, Vice President, Pharmacy, AmPharm
● Marsha K. Millonig, MBA, BPharm – President & CEO, Catalyst Enterprises  –Pharmacy Industry Perspective

The High-Frequency Healing Method for Holistic Entrepreneurs with Cortney Martinelli| Holistic Pharmacist Podcast

I’m back this week with an amazing personal and business transformation story to take people from “healed to healer”. Not only that, but my guest’s High Frequency Healing Method coupled with business strategy has helped healers build 6-figure business easily - and she’s sharing it all today with us!Cortney Martinelli is a powerhouse in the personal growth and business healing space, known for merging deep energetic mastery with practical business strategy. As the founder of Shine, a nationally recognized wellness and education center, and Spark3, a nonprofit dedicated to empowerment, Cortney has helped thousands of individuals and entrepreneurs unlock their true potential. She has taught hundreds of people how to turn their side hustle into a successful, thriving business and has helped scale businesses to 6 and 7 figures with her proven frameworks. Cortney specializes in guiding purpose-driven practitioners and conscious entrepreneurs to create soul-aligned offers, elevate their confidence, and attract premium, paying clients. After 25 years in corporate leadership, Cortney now brings her gifts as a frequency-based business mentor to those who are here to heal and lead. She has trained more than 10,000 students and authored bestselling books that amplify heart-led transformation across the globe.Connect with Cortney via:Email: cortney@shineohio.com Website: www.shineohio.com, www.cortneymartinelli.comIG: @cortney.martinelli, @shineohio Linked In: linkedin.com/in/cortneymartinelli

The New Pharmacy Playbook: Workforce Strength, AI Clarity, and 340B Reform | TWIRx

🎙️ This Week in Pharmacy – Friday, December 5th
Strengthening the Pharmacy Workforce: A Conversation with Crystal Lennartz
Cutting Through the AI Confusion: Shaun Jensen on Smarter Pharmacy OperationsThe New 340B Reality: Allison Arant on Navigating HRSA’s Rebate Model
Welcome to another episode of This Week in Pharmacy, where we bring together the most important conversations, industry insights, and breaking pharmacy news shaping the future of healthcare. Today’s show features a powerhouse lineup of leaders driving innovation across retail pharmacy, technology, consulting, and 340B health-system strategy.
🟦 Segment 1 — Interview with Crystal Lennartz, President of Health Mart & Health Mart Atlas
We open the show with a conversation with Crystal Lennartz, President of Health Mart and Health Mart Atlas, about the evolving role of workforce management in independent pharmacies. 
📰 TWIRx News — Friday, December 5th
A fast roundup of the top stories impacting pharmacy this week:
👉 Humana Exploring Partnership with Mark Cuban
Humana is reportedly in discussions with Mark Cuban to explore a potential pharmacy partnership that could disrupt traditional PBM and drug-supply models. The collaboration may reshape how medications are priced and accessed—another sign that alternative pharmacy models are gaining traction.
👉 New Migraine Therapy: Symbravo
Pharmacists should be aware of Symbravo, a new dual-action migraine therapy combining meloxicam and rizatriptan. Importantly, the product is non-substitutable, meaning pharmacies must dispense exactly as written. The therapy adds a new tool for acute migraine care but requires careful patient counseling on cardiovascular risks, medication-overuse headaches, and NSAID interactions.
👉 Walgreens Expands Automated Fulfillment Centers
Walgreens continues restructuring by expanding its automated micro-fulfillment pharmacy network. Robots are now filling a growing percentage of maintenance prescriptions, allowing pharmacists to refocus on clinical services. The move signals accelerating automation across retail pharmacy as chains seek cost savings and operational efficiency.
🟦 Segment 2 — Interview with Shaun Jensen, CEO of JB Consulting Group
Next, we speak with Shaun Jensen, CEO of JB Consulting Group, about the rising confusion many pharmacy operators face around AI adoption.We discuss:
Where AI adds true efficiency versus where it’s misunderstood
Practical steps for pharmacy owners to implement AI tools
How data-driven automation can improve workflow, inventory, prior authorizations, and patient communication
The mindset shift required for pharmacies to thrive in an AI-supported future
🟦 Segment 3 — Interview with Allison Arant, SVP of Client Development & Marketing, Clearway Health
Our final interview is with Allison Arant from Clearway Health, focusing on the new challenges hospital systems face as HRSA launches the 340B rebate model.Key discussion points:
How the rebate model changes operational and financial dynamics for 340B hospitals
Why safety-net hospitals caring for large uninsured and underinsured populations are feeling heightened pressure
Strategies Clearway Health is deploying to help health systems navigate rising medication costs, compliance demands, and shrinking margins
What health-system pharmacies must prepare for heading into 2026
This week’s conversations underscored a unifying theme: the pharmacy industry is entering a period of rapid transformation, driven by new reimbursement models, automation, innovation partnerships, and evolving expectations from both patients and payers. Independent pharmacies, health systems, and specialty operators all face challenges—but also significant opportunities for reinvention, collaboration, and leadership.
Thank you for tuning in to This Week in Pharmacy. Stay informed, stay inspired, and keep pushing our profession forward.
 
Walgreens doubles down on automation to reshape pharmacy operations. The retail pharmacy giant is dramatically expanding its network of robot-powered micro-fulfillment centers (MFCs) — facilities that dispense maintenance medications for chronic conditions like diabetes and hypertension. The goal: serve 5,000+ stores by the end of the year, up from earlier coverage of around 4,800 stores.https://chainstoreage.com/news-briefs/2025-12-05?article=walgreens-expands-automated-pharmacy-fulfillment-networkNew migraine therapy raises key practice questions for pharmacists. Symbravo — a fixed-dose oral tablet combining meloxicam (an NSAID) and rizatriptan (a triptan) — has been approved for the acute treatment of migraine with or without aura, offering a dual-mechanism option targeting both inflammation and serotonin-mediated pathways. 
Pharmacists now play a critical role: they must identify patients at risk for medication-overuse headaches, screen for contraindications (e.g., cardiovascular disease, GI risk, or NSAID/triptan interactions), and advocate for comprehensive migraine management beyond just pain relief — including lifestyle adjustments and referrals when needed.https://www.pharmacytimes.com/view/what-pharmacists-should-know-about-symbravo-s-role-and-non-substitutability-in-migraine-care
Humana is reportedly working with Mark Cuban on a potential pharmacy partnership — a development that could shake up how prescriptions are delivered and disrupt traditional middle-man models. 
The collaboration would leverage Cuban’s innovative approach to drug pricing and distribution, potentially creating a new channel for medication access that bypasses traditional pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) and large-chain dispensaries. If executed, the partnership could increase competitive pressure on legacy players and reshape the pharmacy supply chain. 
For independent pharmacies and pharmacy leaders, this signals a possible shift in how drugs are sourced, priced, and distributed — highlighting the growing influence of alternative pharmacy models and urging traditional pharmacies to adapt or risk being left behind.https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-12-04/humana-working-with-mark-cuban-on-potential-pharmacy-partnership
Washington, DC there's a whole bunch of pharmacy people meeting up to rollout the Pharmacists Fight Back Act (PFBA)! If you want to go, LISTEN UP!! You’ll be joining pharmacists and pharmacy owners from more than 17 states, all calling for meaningful pharmacy reimbursement reform NOW. Your presence at the news conference will send a strong message to your Congressional Delegate: "we’re serious about passing legislation that protects and keeps pharmacies in business." 
The news conference is scheduled for Thursday, December 11th at 9:30 AM on the Capitol Hill lawn. Meet up with "Pharmacists United for Truth and Transparency".   Check out TRUTH RX dot org. We put a link in today's show notes. Check it out or reach out to Todd on LinkedIn.TruthRx.org 
 
The New Pharmacy Playbook: Workforce Strength, AI Clarity, and 340B Reform | TWIRx 

Reclaiming Your Divine Blueprint of Well-Being with Beena Patel | Holistic Pharmacist Podcast

We are entering an era of holistic health and well-being that transcends former ways holistic health was taught. This means that it also involves financial well-being, our faith and spirituality, and honoring that different belief systems can overlap and are available to us. We can use discernment in which belief systems apply to our optimal well-being. This is an era of science and alternative healing -- using the intertwining of ancient wisdom with modern medicine to create an empowering approach that is unique and applicable to each and every individual.Tune in as we dive into these topics and share our personal journeys through conversation with Beena Patel. She is the Founder of The Yoga Movement and a licensed Physician Associate, Yoga Teacher, Reiki Healer, and Health Coach. With clinical training from top academic institutions such as Columbia University Medical Center and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, she blends modern medicine with ancient wisdom to help high-achieving women and organizations shift from burnout to deep alignment. Through her transformative coaching and healing work, Beena empowers clients to reclaim their health, purpose, and legacy—bridging science and soul for lifelong impact.Connect with Beena via:Email: beena@theyogamovementnyc.com Website: The Yoga MovementFB: theyogamovementIG: @theyogamovement YT: @theyogamovementnyc

The Power of Industry Expertise: Why Specialization Matters in Marketing | Marketing Vitals

In this episode, we dive into why choosing an industry-focused marketing agency can make all the difference. From understanding your audience and compliance needs to delivering strategies that actually move the needle, we break down how niche expertise leads to stronger results — and fewer growing pains. Tune in to learn why specialization matters and how an agency that truly gets your industry can help your business stand out.

The Value of Community: A Conversation with the 2025 Community Leadership Award Finalists Episode One | Cardinal Health™ Counter Talk™ Podcast

The Community Leadership Award is a prestigious award recognizing our community pharmacists and their commitment to their patients. Each year at the Retail Business Conference (RBC), this award is presented to an independent pharmacist who demonstrates a commitment to promoting the principles of community pharmacy.
                                                                                                                                                                            In this episode, Jason Callori speaks with finalists, pharmacist Ken Tai of 986 Pharmacy and Jessi Stout of Table Rock Pharmacy and Compounding, on their advocacy efforts at the state and national level. They also discuss how their community involvements help them and their staff best serve their patients.

Skin Care is Health Care; How Quality Products Generate Income And Build Relationships | Pharmacy Crossroads

Discover how Mike Carugan, partner in a five-store New York pharmacy chain, is keeping his large front-end pharmacies profitable and growing.In this episode, Mike shares:How Instacart has become a powerful tool for competing online and reaching new customersSmart front-end strategies that keep sales strongHow a long-standing partnership with the owner of Columbia SkinCare turned into a unique differentiator, expanded community outreach, and created high-margin cross-merchandising opportunitiesIf you want practical, real-world insights from someone who is winning the daily battle of independent retail pharmacy, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

Xplore: Growth, Technology, Connections, and Solutions | PrimeRx User Conference Part Three

The final part of our 3 part series exploring the PrimeRx User Conference 2025

We Give Thanks to You in Pharmacy | TWIRx

We Give Thanks to You in Pharmacy | TWIRx 
Welcome to This Week in Pharmacy for November 28th!We hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving, and as we roll into Black Friday, we want to take a moment to express something truly important: our gratitude.
At the Pharmacy Podcast Network, we are incredibly thankful for the pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, and pharmacy teams who show up every day for their communities. You are the medication experts, the problem-solvers, the late-night troubleshooters, the vaccine champions, the trusted faces behind the counter, and the advocates who keep patient care moving—often without enough recognition.
To every pharmacist and pharmacy technician working long hours, covering holiday shifts, managing medication shortages, answering tough questions, and supporting patients with compassion: Thank you. Your commitment keeps the healthcare system steady, especially during the busiest times of the year.
From all of us at the Pharmacy Podcast Network, we appreciate you, we support you, and we’re honored to share your stories.
Happy Thanksgiving—and welcome to This Week in Pharmacy.
TWIRx NewsNovember 28, 2025 Pharmacy Times  Fun Fact: Coffee Could Reduce Feelings of Depressionhttps://www.pharmacytimes.com/view/fun-fact-coffee-could-reduce-feelings-of-depression
Saving Advice article “Unmask The Lie: The Reason Your Local Pharmacy Always Runs Out Of Meds”https://www.savingadvice.com/articles/2025/11/28/10442667_unmask-the-lie-the-reason-your-local-pharmacy-always-runs-out-of-meds.html Could dedicated pharmacists help improve neonatal care’s medicines safety problem?https://pharmaceutical-journal.com/article/feature/could-dedicated-pharmacists-help-improve-neonatal-cares-medicines-safety-problem 
 
On Today's "This Week in Pharmacy" we're welcoming back Pharmacist and Kelli Stovall, RPh EMBA, Vice President of Pharmacy Services and Clinical Programs with IPC. Kelli and I talk about preparing for a more profitable 2026 with several ideas to build new non-PBM revenues with patient services needed throughout communities threatened by 'pharmacy deserts'. Next, a special feature interview with Myra Ahmad, MD. CEO & Founder of Mochi Health.Mochi Health is a telehealth company offering comprehensive virtual obesity and weight-management services. Through its platform, patients connect with board-certified physicians, nurse practitioners, and registered dietitians to receive personalized treatment plans tailored to their unique body, lifestyle, and health goals. Mochi Health emphasizes that weight is not a moral failing, but a complex health issue — and their care is non-judgmental and supportive. Clients can access evidence-based medication options (including GLP-1 receptor agonists), nutrition guidance, and ongoing support — often virtually from home. 
The company aims to make obesity care more accessible, affordable, and personalized than traditional in-person clinics. 
 
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT on "This Week in Pharmacy" November 28th 2025, the Legacy Pharmacy Group (LPG) has announced that CEO Ritesh Shah, RPh has been appointed to Governor-Elect Mikie Sherrill’s Transition Task Force in New Jersey. This appointment highlights Shah’s longstanding leadership in independent pharmacy and his commitment to strengthening community-based healthcare across the state.
Shah will focus on advocating for independent pharmacies, improving transparency in Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM) operations, and promoting policies that ensure community pharmacies remain viable, accessible healthcare resources. His priorities on the task force include:
Protecting and strengthening independent pharmacies statewide
Ensuring fairness, transparency, and accountability in PBM practices
Expanding access and reducing barriers to care, particularly for underserved populations
Legacy Pharmacy Group Founder and Pharmacist, Jay Dhaduk, emphasized the importance of having informed pharmacy leadership at the policy level and celebrated Shah’s appointment as critical to the long-term sustainability of independent pharmacies.
The release also highlights LPG’s role as the tri-state area’s largest group purchasing organization, supporting more than 720 independent pharmacy members with programs, services, and advocacy to help them thrive.
 
Thank you to IPC and YARAL Pharma for sponsoring today's TWIRx 

Endometriosis Explained: Dr. Elif Polat on Advocacy and Empowerment | MaternalRx

In this episode of MaternalRx, Dr. Elif Polat, MD, researcher, endometriosis advocate, and Turkey representative for Worldwide EndoMarch, joins Dr. Danielle Plummer to discuss the often misunderstood and deeply complex condition of endometriosis.Dr. Polat unpacks what endometriosis truly is, explaining how it’s both an inflammatory and hormone-dependent disease that can affect any organ in the body, even beyond the reproductive system. She reveals why diagnosis can take up to ten years, why standard tests often miss it, and how its symptoms can extend far beyond pelvic pain, sometimes presenting in surprising ways.The conversation dives into how endometriosis impacts fertility, pregnancy, and the risk of ectopic pregnancy, and clarifies when tools like hysteroscopy may be appropriate. Dr. Polat also dispels common myths, such as the belief that pregnancy or hysterectomy can cure the disease, and emphasizes the importance of continued research and advocacy.Listeners will gain insight into how endometriosis affects not only patients but their families and communities, and how global initiatives like Worldwide EndoMarch (@endomarch) are driving awareness and change.Stay through the end for Dr. Plummer’s “Final Thoughts,” where she reflects on how pharmacists can better support patients through empathy, education, and collaboration.Connect with Dr. Elif Polat:www.linkedin.com/in/elif-polat-md-a20a0b18b/Connect with WorldWide EndoMarchInstagram: @wwendomarchhttps://endomarch.org/Connect with Dr. Plummer:www.linkedin.com/in/daniellerplummer/
 

More Than Meds: The Mission Behind PRISM | Pharmacist-Prescribed

In this episode of Pharmacist-Prescribed, hosts Mary Kucek and Devin Bustin, MD, explore the mission behind PRISM and the urgent need for pharmacist-led clinical services. They discuss the growing gaps in healthcare access, the underutilization of pharmacists as providers, and how technology can safely enable care right inside community pharmacies.Learn more or request a demo at getprismrx.com.

Grow, Know, and Optimize: Insights from Outcomes Ambassadors | Outcomes®

Tune in as Jon Grice, Steve Maki, Emily Byrne, and Austin Wang share their experiences with Outcomes—along with personal stories about what inspired them to enter the pharmacy field and why they’re passionate about the profession.

MatchRX presents: Understanding DSCSA and the Road to 2026 | TWIRx

Special Guest: Ilisa B.G. Bernstein, PharmD, JD
CEO & Co-founder Johny Kello | MatchRXTopic: DSCSA Compliance, Industry Readiness & the Future of Pharmacy Safety
Episode Overview
This week on TWIRx, Johny Kello welcomes one of the 50 Most Influential People in Pharmacy, Ilisa B.G. Bernstein, PharmD, JD, to break down the current state of DSCSA compliance as the industry approaches the critical November 2025 enforcement deadline. With decades of leadership in pharmacy practice, regulatory policy, and national advocacy, Dr. Bernstein brings unmatched clarity to what pharmacies must do now — and how the right technology partnerships can keep them operational, efficient, and fully compliant.
Together, Johny and Dr. Bernstein discuss why DSCSA readiness remains one of the most pressing challenges for independent and community pharmacies — from data verification and product tracing to avoiding shipment rejections, workflow disruptions, and audit exposure.Johny Kello LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/johny-kello/ Ilisa B.G. Bernstein, PharmD, JD LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/ilisa-bernstein-b67222174/Learn more: https://www.matchrx.com/Featured guest:Dr. Jordyn Nordé, PharmD, MBA, is a forward-thinking clinical pharmacist and community leader based in St. Louis who combines advanced clinical training with business acumen to drive impact in underserved populations. With experience in ambulatory care and medication management for conditions like hypertension, diabetes and pain, she is also the founder of an initiative bringing minority pharmacy professionals together through mentorship, entrepreneurship and wellness conversations. Her dual credentials enable her to bridge healthcare, professional development and advocacy — positioning her as an emerging influencer in pharmacy practice transformation.LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordynnorde/

The Mythbusting Episode | Essential: Pharmacy Compounding Podcast APC

In this edition of Essential, we’ve got updates on some big compounding news — like the FDA’s long-overdue decision to remove the boxed warning from some menopause hormone-replacement therapy drugs. (And yes, that’s important for compounding pharmacists!)We also look at the hubbub at FDA over what (allegedly) was behind the decision that would have effectively banned compounding with desiccated thyroid extract, plus some stories from the states, and more.This month’s deep dive: Mythbusting, compounded-GLP-1 style! What have the big drugmakers been saying, and how much of it is true? They’re spreading stories, but our experts put them to the test. Don’t miss out!LinksJoin APC today: https://a4pc.org/membership FDA to remove boxed warning from HRT medications: https://archive.ph/R8DJD An example of what appears to be an op-ed pushed by a pharma company. The writer, a “former healthcare professional,”doesn’t appear to exist: https://archive.ph/OPNWr Find a legitimate, licensed compounding pharmacy: https://a4pc.org/isitlegit Benefits of becoming an APC PFM: https://a4pc.org/pfm 

Navigating Treatment of Dermatologic Inflammatory Conditions with Specialty Drug Therapies, with Vanderbilt Specialty Pharmacy, Vanderbilt Health | NASP Specialty Pharmacy Podcast

In this episode of the NASP Podcast, Sheila Arquette, President & CEO of NASP, speaks with Matthew G. Bowles, PharmD, MBA, CSP, Pharmacy Clinical Team Lead with Vanderbilt Specialty Pharmacy, Vanderbilt Health, and lead author on the study “Getting to specialty treatment in dermatologic inflammatory conditions: Treatment requirements and patient journey,” published February 2025 in the Journal of Managed Care & Specialty Pharmacy. They discuss the reasons for conducting and results of the study, as well as the impacts the study may have on specialty and managed care pharmacy.

Revealing the Power of Pharmacy Data: Automation Insights with Dr. Matthew Song | Pharmacy Podcast: Tech Trends by PrimeRx

In this episode of Tech Trends by PrimeRx, we continue our deep dive into the evolving world of pharmacy technology. Building on the momentum from our previous discussion—where we explored the shifting landscape of pharmacy tech innovation—we now turn our focus to one of the most urgent challenges facing independent and community pharmacies: making sense of inventory and purchase data. Dr. Matthew Song joins us to break down why automation is no longer optional and how data intelligence is transforming pharmacy operations. With rising costs, shrinking margins, and increasing administrative demands, the ability to automate and optimize data workflows is becoming a competitive advantage.
Dr. Song sets the stage by examining how automated systems offer unprecedented visibility into a pharmacy’s financial and clinical activity. Today’s modern PMS platforms, including PrimeRx, go far beyond dispensing—they automatically collect, analyze, and interpret operational data. Throughout the episode, we’ll uncover how automation identifies top payers, high-impact drugs, key prescribers, patient adherence trends, and more. These insights help pharmacy leaders make informed decisions around purchasing, contracting, staffing, and patient care.
Listeners will also gain actionable takeaways tied directly to real-time metrics, including dashboards that connect inventory fluctuations to financial performance. Dr. Song explains how automation eliminates manual entry errors, accelerates purchasing decisions, and helps pharmacies avoid costly stockouts or overstocking. From surfacing seasonal medication trends to pinpointing high-volume PBMs or top-referring providers, this episode demonstrates the power of transforming raw data into strategic intelligence. Stay tuned through the end as we tease what’s next on the horizon—AI-driven predictive inventory management and the next evolution in pharmacy automation.

NCPA Annual Meeting RECAP Show | Part Two

Welcome to the Pharmacy Podcast Network's coverage of the NCPA 2025 Post Show! The NCPA annual conference is the trailblazer for community pharmacy, bringing together the pharmacy community. Our host Todd Eury, founder and CEO of the Pharmacy Podcast Network, took the microphone to the action right on the show floor capturing exclusive conversations with attendees, pharmacy students, keynote speakers, vendors, and more! 
Thank you YARAL Pharma for sponsoring this coverage of the NCPA Post Show! 
Visit https://yaralpharma.com/

Rx for the Winter Blues: Shining Light on Seasonal Depression | Pediatric Pharmacist Review

In this episode of The Pediatric Pharmacist Review, we explore the phenomenon of seasonal affective disorder (SAD) and its relevance to children, adolescents, and families. Our guest, Tim Horton, is a seasoned psychiatric nurse‑practitioner (APRN, CNP) and founder of PeopleFirst Clinic in Woodbury, Minnesota, where he specializes in holistic, medication‑management and therapy‑integrated care for youth and adults. With his unique background in pediatric mental health, patient‑centered approaches, and collaborative provider work, Tim brings deep insight into how biological and environmental factors converge in seasonal depression—and what practical actions caregivers and clinicians can take to mitigate its impact.Key Discussion Points:Biological & Environmental Contributors: We unpack how changes in daylight exposure, circadian rhythm shifts, neurotransmitter variations (serotonin, melatonin), and geographic/seasonal factors contribute to SAD in children and teens.Lifestyle & Environmental Interventions: Tim and I discuss actionable strategies such as structured light‑exposure (dawn simulators, 10,000 lux boxes), daily outdoor activity, consistent sleep schedules, and nutritional supports (timing of meals, nutrient‑dense foods, healthy fats) to reduce symptom severity.Treatment Options & Efficacy: We review standard of care for SAD—starting with behavioral and lifestyle measures, then progressing to light therapy and pharmacologic treatment (SSRIs, SNRIs, augmentation) when needed, including considerations unique to pediatric populations.Vitamin D and Seasonal Depression: We examine the evidence linking vitamin D deficiency with increased SAD risk, discuss screening thresholds in younger patients, supplementation strategies, and how this fits into a broader preventive mindset.Preventive Measures Ahead of Winter: Tim outlines a pre‑winter readiness plan—adjusting indoor lighting, optimizing outdoor daylight exposure, establishing routine exercise, reinforcing healthy diet patterns, and monitoring early warning signs for a proactive response.Misconceptions and Under‑Recognition: We address common myths—such as SAD only occurring in extreme northern latitudes, or that “it’s just the blues” and will self‑resolve—highlighting how under‑recognition in pediatric settings can delay helpful intervention.Resources & Links:Tim Horton LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-horton-248858359/PeopleFirst Clinic: https://www.peoplefirstmn.com/