Robin Sayles Upshur advances behavioral health care through pharmacy leadership

Robin Sayles Upshur, Pharmacy Operations Director for Riverside Health at Riverside Mental Health and Recovery Center, is being recognized for more than two decades of work expanding access to behavioral health care and reducing stigma. Her career spans hospital pharmacy leadership, psychiatric care, opioid treatment support, and patient-centered programs across Virginia and beyond.

Why it matters: - Robin Sayles Upshur’s work sits at the intersection of pharmacy and behavioral health, where medication access can directly affect treatment outcomes for people living with mental illness and substance use disorders. - Her leadership has helped expand services in psychiatric and opioid treatment settings, where stigma and access barriers can delay care. - Upshur’s career path offers a visible example of women advancing into senior pharmacy leadership while shaping patient care models.

What happened: - Influential Women highlighted Robin Sayles Upshur for her leadership as Pharmacy Operations Director for Riverside Health at Riverside Mental Health and Recovery Center in Hampton, Virginia. - Upshur also consults for opioid treatment center clinics and other outpatient services. - Her career spans more than two decades in pharmacy, including more than six years in behavioral health leadership. - Her work has focused on medication management, pharmacy operations, regulatory compliance, long-acting injectable therapy, and patient-centered care.

The details: - Upshur started her healthcare career as a pharmacy technician in New Jersey. - She earned her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from Long Island University Arnold & Marie Schwartz College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences in 2003. - As a pharmacy student and single mother commuting to Brooklyn, Upshur experienced the September 11 attacks from a subway platform beneath the World Trade Center. - She graduated on time and served as student body president. - Her leadership roles included positions with HCA Healthcare, Bon Secours Health System, and Riverside Health System. - She oversaw pharmacy operations in acute care hospitals, psychiatric facilities, and behavioral health settings. - Her accomplishments include developing a long-acting injectable clinic for patients with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and substance use disorders. - She implemented patient assistance programs and led pharmacy automation initiatives. - She worked across multidisciplinary teams to expand access to behavioral health services and opioid treatment programs. - Upshur has earned the Operational Excellence Award in 2025 and Woman of the Year in 2013/2014. - She serves on the Grants Committee of the Virginia Society of Health-System Pharmacists. - She stays involved with her alma mater through its alumni board and student mentorship programs. - She also supports healthcare ministry through New Life Outreach Church. - Upshur is a member of the American Association of Psychiatric Pharmacists and NAMI. - Her values center on faith, compassion, service, and family. - She values time with her husband and simple everyday moments. - More information is available through her Influential Women profile.

Between the lines: - Upshur’s story frames resilience as a professional asset, linking personal hardship, mentorship, and faith to long-term leadership in a demanding specialty. - Her emphasis on stigma reduction and patient assistance reflects a broader need in behavioral health, where treatment success often depends on access, continuity, and trust. - The profile also positions service and mentorship as part of career development, not just personal values.

What's next: - Upshur says she will continue supporting people with mental and behavioral health needs through psychiatric pharmacy and multidisciplinary care. - She encourages young women entering pharmacy to get involved, stay engaged, and look for opportunities to give back. - Her continued work in behavioral health and professional organizations points to ongoing influence in care delivery and mentorship.

The bottom line: - Robin Sayles Upshur’s career shows how pharmacy leadership can expand access, strengthen behavioral health services, and reduce stigma at the same time.