“CPPI is a research center that perfectly combines health services research with the latest innovation in pharmacy practice,” Pontinha writes. “In addition to improving patient outcomes, the work stemming from CPPI is helping advance the scope of the pharmacy profession. I hope to bring focus to the economic evaluation of non-pharmaceutical interventions and how they can inform health care benefit design and policy.”

Pontinha obtained his Ph.D. from the VCU School of Pharmacy in 2022 – under the mentorship of CPPI faculty, David Holdford, Ph.D. – in pharmacoeconomics and health outcomes, focusing on the development of group-based trajectory models to identify patterns of long-term medication adherence and implementation of machine learning algorithms to examine value-based health care policy.

Prior to completing his Ph.D., Pontinha received his pharmacy degree from the University of Lisbon and a Master’s in Management from the Católica-Lisbon School of Business and Economics. 

“Becoming faculty at VCU School of Pharmacy is truly an honor: this is a place with a rich history of excellence in pharmaceutical education and research and I can’t wait to contribute to the mission of the school by helping shape the future of health care!” 

Apart from research and teaching, Pontinha enjoys finding new trails to run on, shaded playgrounds for his 2.5 year-old son and time with family. “We greatly enjoy spending time with friends, whether it’s hosting, impromptu backyard parties or sitting at the table for hours playing Settlers of Catan - hands down the best table game ever!” 

CPPI welcomes you, Dr. Pontinha!

The Center for Pharmacy Practice Innovation at VCU School of Pharmacy helps pharmacists optimize patient outcomes by being a leader in transforming ambulatory and community pharmacy practice and advancing pharmacists’ roles on patient-centered, collaborative care teams. Learn more at cppi.pharmacy.vcu.edu/.