The landscape of pharmacy is rapidly evolving, presenting a wealth of opportunities beyond traditional roles. For pharmacy professionals and students exploring diverse career avenues, understanding these pathways and how to evaluate them is crucial. The Kennedy Pharmacy Innovation Center (KPIC) Pharmacy Innovation Career Summit serves as an invaluable resource in this journey, offering insights into non-traditional pharmacy careers, including specialized fields like poison control.
Unveiling Non-Traditional Pharmacy Career Pathways
The annual KPIC Pharmacy Innovation Career Summit is meticulously designed to expose pharmacy students and young professionals to the dynamic world of non-traditional pharmacy practices. Recognizing the shifting healthcare environment and job market, the summit addresses the critical need for pharmacists to be aware of and consider innovative career paths. This event bridges the gap between academic learning and real-world application, showcasing how a pharmacy degree can be a springboard to diverse and impactful careers.
This summit is particularly beneficial for those contemplating careers outside the conventional pharmacy settings. It provides a unique platform to connect directly with pharmacists who have carved out successful careers in non-traditional areas. These professionals share their personal journeys, offering firsthand accounts of how they leveraged their pharmacy education to excel in diverse roles. Participants gain invaluable exposure to novel career ideas and build professional networks that can pave the way for similar opportunities in the future.
2023 Career Summit Highlights: Exploring Diverse Pharmacy Roles
The 2023 Pharmacy Innovation Career Summit, held virtually on October 7, 2023, featured a distinguished panel of speakers, each representing a unique facet of non-traditional pharmacy. These experts provided attendees with a comprehensive view of the breadth and depth of career options available to pharmacists today.
Anne Lord Bailey, Pharm.D., BCPS: Pioneering Innovation in Healthcare Technology
Dr. Anne Lord Bailey, Director for Clinical Tech Innovation and Immersive Technology Lead at the US Department of Veterans Affairs, exemplifies the role of pharmacists in cutting-edge healthcare innovation. Her work with the VA’s Office of Healthcare Innovation and Learning team involves leading the implementation of emerging technologies and establishing VA Immersive, a collaborative program focused on extended reality. Dr. Bailey’s career demonstrates how pharmacy expertise can be instrumental in shaping the future of healthcare delivery through technology. Her journey from a University of South Carolina College of Pharmacy graduate to a national leader in immersive technology showcases the potential for pharmacists to drive innovation in large healthcare systems.
Alexis Caronis, Pharm.D., CPHQ: Ensuring Drug Safety in Pharmaceutical Branding
Dr. Alexis Caronis, Associate Director of Drug Safety at Leaderboard Branding, a Fingerpaint Company, highlights the critical role of pharmacists in pharmaceutical regulatory affairs and branding. A 2021 graduate of the University of South Carolina College of Pharmacy, Dr. Caronis focuses on regulatory compliance for drug names, labeling, and packaging, alongside project management. Her experience underscores the importance of pharmaceutical knowledge in ensuring drug safety and regulatory adherence within the branding and marketing sector. Dr. Caronis’s path from academia to a specialized role in drug safety branding illustrates the diverse applications of a pharmacy degree in the commercial aspects of the pharmaceutical industry.
Jonathan Hui, Pharm.D., BSPS: Strategic Planning in Global Clinical Supply Chains
Dr. Jonathan Hui, Global Clinical Supply Chain Planning Manager at Takeda Pharmaceuticals, represents the crucial role of pharmacists in the pharmaceutical industry’s supply chain management. His responsibilities include strategic planning and execution of investigational product plans for clinical trials across various therapeutic areas. Dr. Hui’s career trajectory, including a Postdoctoral Pharmacy Fellowship with Pfizer Inc., demonstrates the value of pharmaceutical expertise in ensuring the efficient and effective delivery of medications from development to clinical trials and commercialization. His work is vital for the smooth operation of global pharmaceutical development and distribution.
Regina McQueen, Pharm.D.: Expertise in Poison Control and Clinical Toxicology
Dr. Regina McQueen, a Certified Specialist in Poison Information at Palmetto Poison Center, exemplifies a vital non-traditional pharmacy career in poison control. The Palmetto Poison Center, serving all of South Carolina, handles over 31,000 calls annually, providing critical treatment information for exposures to poisonous substances. Dr. McQueen’s role as a poison control specialist showcases the direct impact pharmacists can have on public health by providing immediate, life-saving guidance in toxicology emergencies. Her nearly 20 years of experience in pharmacy, culminating in her specialization in poison control, highlights this career path as a rewarding option for pharmacists passionate about clinical toxicology and emergency response. This aligns with the APhA’s recognition of diverse career pathways, including specialized clinical areas like poison control.
Christian J. VonDrehle: Entrepreneurship in Infusion Pharmacy Franchising
Christian VonDrehle, National Director of Franchise Sales for VitalCare, illustrates an entrepreneurial pathway for pharmacists in the infusion pharmacy sector. With over 15 years of experience in sales leadership and business development within infusion and specialty pharmacy, Christian works with aspiring entrepreneurs to develop infusion pharmacies through franchising. His career path demonstrates how pharmacists can leverage their clinical knowledge and business acumen to build and lead successful ventures in specialized pharmacy services. Christian’s role in helping over 125 franchise owners develop Vital Care Infusion Services into a leading brand showcases the entrepreneurial opportunities available within the pharmacy profession.
Tyler D. Wagner, Pharm.D., Ph.D.: Research and Health Policy in the Pharmaceutical Industry
Dr. Tyler Wagner, Associate Director of Research at the National Pharmaceutical Council, exemplifies a career path focused on research and health policy within the pharmaceutical industry. Leading research on health policy issues and the value of medicines, Dr. Wagner’s work contributes to shaping evidence-based policies related to pharmaceutical access and utilization. His background, including a Ph.D. in Pharmacoeconomics and Health Outcomes, demonstrates how pharmacists can contribute to the broader healthcare landscape through research and policy development. Dr. Wagner’s role at the National Pharmaceutical Council highlights the impact pharmacists can have on a national scale by influencing health policy and pharmaceutical economics.
Past Summit Speakers: A Legacy of Diverse Pharmacy Careers
The KPIC Pharmacy Innovation Career Summit has consistently featured a diverse range of speakers, representing various non-traditional pharmacy careers. Past speakers have included:
Cody Clifton, Pharm.D.: Practice Transformation and Clinical Programs
Donald Ellis, Pharm.D., MBA: Investment Banking and Pharmaceutical Finance
Ranarda Jones, Pharm.D.: Pharmacy Benefits Management Entrepreneurship
Brenden O’Hara, R.Ph., BCACP: Provider Engagement in Value-Based Healthcare
Chloe LeBegue-Polley, Pharm.D.: Investigational Drug Services in Oncology
Elizabeth A. Van Dyke, Pharm.D., R.Ph.: Drug Information and Regulatory Affairs
Amanda Isac, Pharm.D., MPH: Public Health and Injury Prevention
Nimit Jindal, Pharm.D.: Congressional Health Care Policy Fellowship
Samuel C. McCallum, Pharm.D., MHIT: Clinical Safety in Global Pharmacovigilance
Mark Pilkington, M.S., R.Ph.: Managed Care and Pharmacy Benefit Administration
Sally Rafie, Pharm.D.: Contraception Care and Reproductive Health Advocacy
Helen Sairany, Pharm.D., MBA: Pharmacy Association Leadership and Public Health
These diverse career paths showcased at past summits highlight the expansive opportunities available to pharmacy professionals. From public health and policy to industry and entrepreneurship, a pharmacy degree provides a versatile foundation for a fulfilling and impactful career. Organizations like APhA recognize and support this career diversity, offering resources and guidance for pharmacists exploring these pathways.
Conclusion: Shaping Your Pharmacy Career Pathway
The KPIC Pharmacy Innovation Career Summit serves as a crucial platform for pharmacy students and professionals to explore and evaluate non-traditional career pathways. By connecting with experienced professionals in diverse fields, including specialized areas like poison control, attendees gain valuable insights and inspiration for their own career journeys. For those seeking to broaden their horizons and leverage their pharmacy expertise in innovative ways, the Career Summit is an essential event for Apha Career Pathway Evaluation Program For Pharmacy Professionals Poison Control and beyond. To contribute to future summits as a speaker, interested non-traditional pharmacy professionals are encouraged to contact Pamela Hite.
