Becker's Honors Eric Locklear on 101 Chief Pharmacy Officers to Know in 2026 List

UNC Health Southeastern Pharmacy Director Eric Locklear was named to Becker's Hospital Review's 101 Hospital and Health System Chief Pharmacy Officers to Know in 2026 list, which was published June 26.

According to Becker's, these leaders are driving the future of pharmacy practice by championing automation and emerging technology, shaping cost-conscious strategies that balance clinical excellence with fiscal responsibility, and developing the policies that govern how their organizations approach one of healthcare’s most essential functions. 

Locklear’s entry reads: 

Mr. Locklear oversees a diverse range of pharmacy services at UNC Health Southeastern, including inpatient, outpatient, oncology and a medication assistance clinic. His leadership has enhanced services across multiple facilities, with a focus on reaching underserved populations through the pharmacy care clinic. Mr. Locklear has been pivotal in maintaining medication access and chemotherapy compounding for the region’s cancer patients. He assumed his current role of director in 2006 after serving as assistant director and clinical coordinator since 1990.

In addition to offering services you’d expect from a community healthcare system, UNC Health Southeastern provides a number of specialized services that are unique to our system and not available anywhere else in the region.  The nonprofit system, which is part of UNC Health, offers a combination of acute care, intensive care and psychiatric services to more than 13,000 inpatients and 60,000 emergency patients annually. It is our mission to provide exceptional care for our diverse region; offer the highest quality standards in a safe environment; and provide compassionate care provided by a committed team. At UNC Health Southeastern, together, we will improve the health and well-being of the region we serve. We are Here for you. Here for good.

To view the full Becker’s list, click here.