Rx + AI & Pharmacists Embracing Autism Acceptance | TWIRx

This Week in Pharmacy – April 4, 2025

We launch with the "godfather of Functional Pharmacy" Robert Kress fRx.

Roberts is a #pharmacist, practitioner, and coach who blends lifestyle and functional medicine with a passion for empowering patients. He believes true healing comes from within the patient, and that the role of the practitioner is to guide, teach, and support through awareness, education, and self-care. Rather than dispensing medications, Roberts shares tools for wellness—ranging from supplements and nutrition to mindfulness, natural movement, and purposeful living—all aimed at helping others reach peak performance and holistic well-being.

 

This week on This Week in Pharmacy (TWIP), we’re proud to honor World Autism Awareness Day, celebrated globally on Tuesday, April 2nd, by spotlighting an inspiring voice in the profession: Dr. Brian Catton, PharmD.

Brian is many things—a husband, a father, a community pharmacist and Pharmacist in Charge at Walgreens, and proudly, an autistic professional who brings heart, authenticity, and advocacy into every role he plays. In this deeply personal and powerful interview, Brian shares his journey—from his early diagnosis in 1989 with PDD-NOS (Pervasive Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise Specified), to earning his Doctor of Pharmacy degree from Shenandoah University, to leading in both life and the pharmacy profession.

He speaks candidly about what Autism Acceptance truly means: moving beyond awareness to inclusion, understanding, and valuing neurodiverse individuals for who they are and the perspectives they bring.

✨ “It’s not just about knowing autistic people exist—it’s about making sure we’re heard, included, and able to contribute to the betterment of our spheres of influence.” – Dr. Brian Catton

Tune in to hear Brian’s story of resilience, growth, humor, and purpose. You’ll walk away inspired—and better equipped to foster inclusion in your community and workplace.

 

Next up, we talk with John Nosta.

 

John Nosta is the Founder and President of NostaLab, a globally recognized innovation think tank at the intersection of technology, science, and medicine. Renowned for his forward-thinking insights, John is consistently ranked among the top global influencers in digital health and technology. He has contributed over 500 articles to publications such as Forbes, Fortune, Psychology Today, and Bloomberg, and has been published in esteemed peer-reviewed journals including The American Journal of Physiology and Circulation. John has served on advisory boards for organizations like Google Health and the World Health Organization's Digital Health Roster of Experts. As a sought-after speaker, he guides companies, NGOs, and governments through the complexities of exponential change and innovation. 

 

Learn more at JohnNosta.com 

🧩 This episode is part of our ongoing effort to highlight diversity, humanity, and leadership in pharmacy.

🔗 Listen now and join the conversation.

#ThisWeekInPharmacy #WorldAutismAwarenessDay #AutismAcceptance #Neurodiversity