TUPELO, Mississippi—The Mississippi Society of Health-System Pharmacists recently presented Certified Pharmacy Technician Philip Grissom of North Mississippi Medical Center with its annual Pharmacy Technician Award.

Grissom serves as payment resolution specialist for NMMC Oncology Infusion Services. He began his NMMC career in 1998 as Food Court manager. After three years, he felt it was time for a change and began working night shift in the hospital’s central pharmacy. It was there he found his calling and became certified as a pharmacy technician.

“I’m so thankful that I was allowed the opportunity to totally switch roles,” Grissom says. “It was a game-changer for me.”

He transferred to Outpatient Infusion Services in 2005 and then to Oncology Infusion at Cancer Care in 2014. Before assuming his current role, Grissom prepared IV infusions and assisted with purchasing and inventory management, and patient access.

“Philip has taken his vast experience and developed his role as the first payment resolution specialist for Oncology Infusion Services,” said Patti Hawkins, director of NMMC Outpatient Infusion Services and 340b Program. “Not only has he established himself as the subject matter expert for ever-changing oncology infusion financial clearance, but he is also a key part of the health care team. Philip and his team help ensure the patient’s insurance eligibility and prior authorizations are in place to ensure timely care.”

The MSHP Pharmacy Technician Award is given to an individual who demonstrates outstanding cooperation with the entire health care team, service to the profession of health-systems pharmacy, community service and contributions to health-systems pharmacy progress.

A native of Detroit, Michigan, Grissom moved to Tupelo when he was 18. He holds an associate degree in journalism from Itawamba Community College and an associate degree in hotel and restaurant management from Northeast Mississippi Community College. He and his wife, Charlene, have two sons—Aaron, 25, and Luke, 22. He is active in Trace Crossing Church and enjoys cooking and traveling.