John M. Marraffa Jr.
President
Kinney Drugs
John M. Marraffa Jr. is a pharmacy executive whose career has been guided by a commitment
to service, innovation, and a belief in the power of pharmacists to improve patient
care. His professional journey from student leadership to executive healthcare strategy
reflects a dedication to advancing the profession while keeping patients at the center
of every decision.
Marraffa earned his bachelor of science in pharmacy from Albany College of Pharmacy
and Health Sciences in 2003, where he served as class president and developed an early
appreciation for collaboration, leadership, and the evolving role of pharmacy in healthcare.
He began his professional career at Walgreens, taking on roles of increasing responsibility
and ultimately serving as regional healthcare director for New Jersey, New York, and
Eastern Pennsylvania. In that role, he focused on integrating pharmacy services into
broader healthcare systems, expanding access to care, and elevating pharmacists as
essential members of the healthcare team.
Marraffa has been deeply engaged in pharmacy policy and regulation. In 2014, he was
appointed to the New York State Medicaid Pharmacy Advisory Committee, contributing
to policy discussions impacting medication access for vulnerable populations. Later
that year, he was appointed to the New York State Board of Pharmacy, where he served
nearly eight years, including two terms as chairman. During his tenure, he was actively
involved with the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP), serving on several
national committees and contributing to regulatory and professional initiatives at
the national level. He contributes to industry leadership through the National Association
of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS), serving on the Retail Advisory Board, the Regional Chain
Planning Committee, and the NACDS Advisory Board, and was recently appointed to the
NACDS Foundation Board of Directors. These roles reflect his ongoing commitment to
advancing pharmacy practice, operations, and patient outcomes.
Marraffa has supported regional and rural health initiatives, having served on the
North Country Regional Economic Development Council and remaining involved with the
New York State Association for Rural Health Committee to support strategies that improve
healthcare access in underserved communities. He continues to serve on the Regional
Healthcare Advisory Board of The Lifetime Healthcare Companies, contributing to discussions
on regional healthcare challenges, innovation, and system sustainability. In addition,
he serves on the Dermatology Retail Alliance (DRA) Board of Directors, an organization
focused on aligning dermatology recommendations with retail realities so patients
can successfully follow their dermatologists’ advice.
Marraffa joined KPH Healthcare Services in 2019 as vice president of healthcare Services
Integration, where he led efforts to expand clinical services and strengthen the company’s
role in community healthcare. He spearheaded the launch of Kinnect, an onsite pharmacy
program delivering specialized medication services to healthcare facilities and improving
access and adherence for patients with complex needs.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Marraffa helped lead Kinney Drugs’ vaccine distribution
efforts, positioning community pharmacies as critical public health access points.
In October 2021, he was named president of Kinney Drugs, where he continues to advance
innovative models that expand pharmacy’s impact on patient care and community health.
Marraffa remains committed to education and mentorship, serving on advisory bodies
for Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences and 91ÉçÇø’s School
of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, helping guide curriculum development and
experiential education.
In recognition of his leadership and service, Marraffa was honorarily inducted into Phi Lambda Sigma, the Pharmacy Leadership Society, in 2023. Outside of his professional work, he supports community health organizations including the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.