In 2014, Tom developed a company in Pennsylvania that is on track to become the premier medical cannabis service model ranking as the leader in the medical cannabis industry by adapting and enhancing best practices. He has recruited an excellent, experienced and very talented team that is fulfilling the company’s mission and building an extremely successful business. The mission of PA Options for Wellness is to be the preferred provider of medical cannabis to those qualified and approved patients, by providing the highest quality of product with the greatest service in a dignified and professional manner. The focus of PA Options for Wellness has always been on education, research, patient outcomes and quality of life.
Tom Trite was also the founder of Continuing Care Rx (CCRx), a provider of Long-Term Care pharmaceutical services, where he served as Chief Executive Officer and President. After establishing CCRx in 1996, Tom had primary responsibility for developing and managing the company’s vision & strategic plan, along with many quality, safety and technology initiatives. Starting with his first client of one facility serving 178 residents in February 1997, CCRx grew to become the third largest LTC Pharmacy in the United States, serving over 300 clients caring for over 43,000 long-term care residents and 11,000 correctional lives; with revenue in excess of $175 Million by 2010. CCRx employed 589 employees and was led by a great senior management team developed and recruited by Tom. The company grew organically as well as through five acquisitions, three de novo startups that were profitable within six months.
Tom was instrumental in building a team and a business that attracted the sale of the company for 11 times EBITDA on August 31, 2010. Tom was retained with Omnicare, the acquirer, as Vice President – National Group Operations and served in that capacity in addition to CEO and President of CCRx until December 17, 2013.
Prior to CCRx, Tom served as Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President of Managed Care Rx, a national specialty care pharmaceutical provider for assisted living facilities, nursing homes and prisons, where he worked with employers, unions, HMOs and third-party administrators to improve the quality and reduce the cost of pharmacy services.
Prior to Managed Care Rx, Tom spent 10 years with White Shield Pharmacies, Inc. as Executive Vice President of Operations and Chief Operating Officer where he was responsible for the operations of 16 pharmacies serving both retail and long-term care. When Tom joined White Shield Pharmacies it was to accomplish a turnaround of 7 struggling retail pharmacies. During his 10 years, a very successful turnaround was accomplished, and he grew White Shield to 16 profitable and very successful pharmacies that were successfully sold to a national chain.
Throughout his career, Tom held numerous industry-related positions that included President of the Pennsylvania Senior Care Pharmacy Alliance in addition to serving on the National Board of Directors for SCPA. He has served as Vice President of the Pennsylvania Pharmacists Association and served on their Executive Board. In 2022, he was appointed to the Penn State Harrisburg Board of Advisers by President Eric Barron.
He was the Chief Operating Officer of PennScript, a PPO that was struggling to grow business and losing money. Tom was brought in to perform a turnaround in operations, growth, and profitability.
After addressing the operations and making the PPO profitable, he grew the client base three-fold and made way for the successful sale of PennScript to PCS.
Tom served as President of Net Rx, a long-term care pharmacy GPO. He was also an active Advisory Board member for Managed Healthcare Associates, a GPO for the long-term care industry. In addition, Tom has always been very involved in many charitable organizations including Kiwanis Club and his church. Tom has served in several leadership roles as officer and board member including serving as President for Harrisburg East Shore Kiwanis and St. Thomas UCC.
Tom has received several awards including Central Penn Business Journal’s ICON Award in 2021, along with USciences Distinguished Advocate for Students Award, University of Sciences in Philadelphia, PA. He was named a Winner of the 2007 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award and was also selected as a finalist for the 2003 and 2004 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award. In 2003, he received the Businessman of the Year award from the Business Advisory Council. His company, Continuing Care Rx consistently ranked among the top 15 of the 50 Fastest Growing Companies in Central Pennsylvania – from 2003 through 2009 – where CCRx reached the ranking of 2nd fastest growing. CCRx was also selected as a finalist in Central Pennsylvania’s Business of the Year in 2004 and 2007.
Tom was awarded Fellow of the American Society of Consultant Pharmacists as well as the Hixon Fellow of Kiwanis International. He also received the National Multiple Sclerosis Society Leadership Award in 2009.
He received his BS degree in Pharmacy from the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and Science, Registered Pharmacist in Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Delaware, Doctor of Pharmacy designation from Maryland, and his Long-Term Care Administrator’s Certificate from York College.
Tom has been married for 50 years to his wife Virginia who earned her MSW. They have owned and operated both Adult Day Care Centers and Assisted Living Facilities that were state of the art showplaces often used by the Department of Aging and the Department of Public Welfare to show potential providers and train new surveyors. They have three grown children and enjoy travel, history and art, as well as Penn State athletics.
