Julia Wermerskirchen, PharmD

With almost 20 years of experience serving the rare disease community, Julia Wermerskirchen deeply understands the complexities of living with a rare condition and considerations for advanced or novel therapies. As the vice president, payer and clinical relations for Optum Frontier Therapies, Julia is responsible for working with payers, providers, and patient advocacy communities to drive improved collaboration and create innovative models that ensure transformative impact for all. 

She works cross-functionally across the health care ecosystem to identify solutions that support access, drive value, and streamline the provider, patient and caregiver journey.  Most recently, as a business development director for Optum Specialty Pharmacy, Julia led numerous strategic initiatives including advancing innovative reimbursement methods and implementing hemophilia community partnerships.

Previous to that, she managed investigational assets with Coram Clinical Trials, provided care for the bleeding disorders community with Coram Healthcare and compounded nuclear medicine therapies with Triad Isotopes. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Chemistry and Sociology from Vanderbilt University and a Doctor of Pharmacy from the University of Minnesota College of Pharmacy.

In her spare time, Julia mentors local high school students. She is also a member of the Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy (AMCP) and works with them to mentor student pharmacists. She lives in Minneapolis with her husband, two sons and her old yellow lab.