Blessing Okoye, B.Pharm., M.S.

Blessing Okoye smiling in an indoor setting

Graduate Student

Entry into the Program: Fall 2023

Pronouns: She/Her

Advising Professor: Dr. Jamie C. Barner

Education

  • M.S. in Pharmaceutical Science, The University of Texas at Austin
  • B.Pharm., Madonna University

Research Interests

  • Clinical Outcomes, Health Technology Assessment, Pharmacoepidemiology, Real World Data & Information Systems

Publications

  • Okoye BI, Okoye G, Barner JC. Factors associated with longitudinal hydroxyurea adherence trajectories among individuals with sickle cell disease in Texas Medicaid: A group-based trajectory modeling study. Therapeutic Advances in Hematology. 2026;17.
  • Li-Wei Wu , Minh-Anh Le-Dang , Blessing Ijeoma Okoye, Chanhyun Park. Machine learning-based prediction of cardiovascular adverse events in patients with cancer: a systematic review, Expert Review of Pharmacoeconomics & Outcomes Research. 2026; 1-18. doi: 10.1080/14737167.2026.2719628
  • Okoye BI, Barner JC, Kang HA, Richards KM. Association between comorbid depression, antidepressant adherence, and disease-modifying therapy adherence among Texas Medicaid patients with sickle cell disease. J Manag Care Spec Pharm. 2026;32(7):832-846. doi:10.18553/jmcp.2026.32.7.832
  • Okoye B, Bhalla A, Aiyeolemi A, Odonkor G, Barner J, Catanzano S. Prevalence of mental health conditions among individuals with sickle cell disease in Texas Medicaid. Expert Rev Hematol. 2026;1-8. doi:10.1080/17474086.2026.2634988
  • Jasmin C. Rose, Blessing I. Okoye, Ayobami Aiyeolemi, Jamie C. Barner. Pharmacy Students' Knowledge of Sickle Cell Disease. Curr Pharm Teach Learn. 2025;17(10):102420. doi: 10.1016/j.cptl.2025.102420
  • Okoye BI, Udemba JC, Ndugba CA, Obed Ebierinyo. Evaluation of rational prescribing in a hospital pediatric outpatient clinic in Nigeria. BMJ Paediatrics Open 2022;6:e001585. doi: 10.1136/bmjpo-2022-001585
  • Blessing, I.O., Chinwendu, A.N., Justina, I.O., Jacintha, C.U., et al. Evaluation of Essential Medicines Management in Public Health Facilities in Ekiti, Nigeria. International Journal of Science Academic Research.2022; 3(09); 4359-4365. 
  • Udemba, J., Blessing, I.O., Ndugba, C., Obed, E., Okonkwo, J. Polypharmacy, Potential Inappropriate Medication and Deprescribing in Nigeria: How far have we gone? Pharma Research. 2022;750-761. 

Presentations

  • Okoye B, Okoye G, Barner J. Factors Associated with Longitudinal Trajectories of Hydroxyurea Adherence among Individuals with Sickle Cell Disease: A Group-Based Trajectory Modeling Study. International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research (ISPOR) Annual International Meeting, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA, May 2026.
  • Okoye B, Shaikh A, Gupte-Singh K. Prevalence of Immunocompromised Conditions among Patients with Advanced Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Systematic Review. International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research (ISPOR) Annual International Meeting, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA, May 2026.
  • Adetimilehin S Ariyo, Ayobami Aiyeolemi, Blessing Okoye, Damilola Adeteye, Elizabeth Caldwell, Hyekyun Rhee, Alexa Stuifbergen, Digital Health Platforms and Telehealth Use in Sickle Cell Disease: Scoping Review. 20th Annual Sickle Cell Disease Research and Educational Symposium & 49th National Sickle Cell Disease Scientific Meeting, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA, June 2026.
  • Yokananth R, Okoye G, Zalmai R, Okoye B, Avancena LV. The association of alcohol and PrEP adherence: A meta-analysis. Bridging Discipline Program Conference, Austin, Texas, USA, April 2026.
  • Okoye B, Barner J, Kang HA, Richards K. Association between comorbid depression and antidepressant adherence with adherence to disease-modifying therapies in patients with sickle cell disease in Texas Medicaid. American Society of Hematology, Orlando, Florida, USA, December 2026.
  • Okoye B, Aiyeolemi A, Odonkor G, Bhalla A, Barner J, Catanzano S. Prevalence of mental health conditions among individuals with sickle cell disease in Texas Medicaid. International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research (ISPOR) Annual International Meeting, Montreal, Canada, May 2025.
  • Okoye B, Okoye G, Yokananth R, Norwood A, Schnarrs P, Barner J, Anton A. Determinants of HIV preexposure prophylaxis adherence and continuation among individuals with Texas Medicaid. Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy, Houston, Texas, USA, April 2025.
  • Okoye B, Okoye G, Yokananth R, Norwood A, Schnarrs P, Barner J, Anton A. Prevalence and correlates of alcohol use disorder diagnosis among HIV preexposure prophylaxis users with Medicaid. Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy, Houston, Texas, USA, April 2025.
  • Okoye B, Rose J, Aiyeolemi A, Barner J. Assessing the knowledge of sickle cell disease among pharmacy students. Pharmacy Research Day, The University of Texas at Austin, April 2025.
  • B Okoye, E Obed, JC Udemba, S Nwani. Evaluating the Pediatric Prescribing Pattern in a Health Facility in Nigeria. International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research (ISPOR) Europe Conference, Vienna, Europe, November 2022.

Internships

  • Health Economics and Outcomes Research Intern - Veradigm Inc.
  • Global Market Access and Health Economics Intern - Sun Pharmaceuticals
  • Graduate Research Assistant - The University of Texas at Austin

Contact Information

Why UTCOP HOD?

  • I chose UTCOP HOD because of the innovative and diverse research activities of faculty members and students. Additionally, the opportunity to network with Alumni of the program as they are thriving in various fields of practice.

What do you enjoy outside of school?

  • I enjoy traveling, trying new things, and watching movies.