"I had the privilege to work with Dr. Richard Holt in my capacity as a licensing examiner for the Alaska Board of Pharmacy, and later as the program manager for the statewide prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP) before becoming the board’s executive administrator. As the Board of Pharmacy’s president, Dr. Holt managed regulatory matters affecting pharmacy practice in Alaska as well as matters affecting the health and safety of patients in our state. In the 4 years working closely with Dr. Holt, he consistently demonstrated reliable and transparent leadership which elevated the board’s ability to engage in effective regulation. Dr. Holt routinely went above and beyond as a volunteer board member, participating in numerous regulatory subcommittees and taking on the authoring of comprehensive regulatory projects which involved synthesizing large volumes of national, state, and cross-agency resources to ensure accuracy and relevance of Alaska’s pharmacy and prescription database laws. These efforts were complex and nuanced, but Dr. Holt maintained his dedication to these projects, often to the audible awe of his board member colleagues whom he impressed with his strategically thorough approach. His ability to analyze legislation and articulate its potential impacts were equally impressive, and his approachable and accountable manner were valued and are greatly missed. To note, Dr. Holt was instrumental in developing regulations to reduce barriers to licensure, advocate for informed clinical decision making through regulatory and system improvements to the PDMP, and in expanding the board’s oversight of the pharmaceutical supply chain through his participation in legislative efforts.

 

Dr. Holt possesses what I observed to be rare skills in his ability to bring together groups with differing missions and goals to proactively engage in collaboration to the collective benefit of health care in Alaska. Dr. Holt’s leadership throughout his time on the board and especially during the two worse health crises in modern history—the opioid epidemic and ongoing COVID-19 pandemic—was invaluable to the board, and I have no doubt of his ability to exceed expectations in any leadership capacity even under the most stressful of circumstances. Dr. Holt brought added value, initiative, and perspective to projects and invariably did so with grace and enthusiasm. I hope this recommendation provides a good indicator of his strong work ethic and exceptional leadership."