From an early stage in my academic journey, I knew I wanted to pursue a career in pharmacy. Taking the initiative in high school, I became a nationally certified pharmacy technician (PTCB), solidifying my interest in the field. My passion was further validated when I was accepted into the University of South Carolina College of Pharmacy’s Gamecock Pharmacy Assurance Program. This unique opportunity allowed me to interview for pharmacy school while still in high school and matriculate directly into the PharmD program upon completing my undergraduate prerequisites.
Initially, I envisioned a career in retail pharmacy. In January 2020, while completing my undergraduate coursework, I began working as a pharmacy technician at Publix Pharmacy, later transitioning into a pharmacy intern role. This hands-on experience proved invaluable, providing me with an early familiarity with brand and generic medications, strengthening my patient communication skills, and helping me navigate workplace interactions. Additionally, my experience in the retail setting deepened my understanding of pharmacy school coursework—particularly in community pharmacy practice lab (PHMY 670) and self-care (PHMY 750) — where I applied my knowledge to patient counseling on common disease states.
My time in retail pharmacy fostered a deep appreciation for patient care. I enjoyed building relationships with patients, getting to know our regular customers, and serving as a trusted resource for their medication needs. However, I also experienced the fast-paced, high-pressure nature of the retail environment firsthand. While I greatly respected the pharmacists in this setting, I began to question whether the demanding 12-hour shifts and high-stress workload aligned with my long-term career aspirations. This realization motivated me to explore other avenues within pharmacy, ultimately leading me to an unexpected yet exciting new direction.
One day, I received an email from my professor, Dr. Reeder, about a niche area of pharmacy that focused on health economics, outcomes research, and non-dispensing roles—topics that had only been briefly covered in our curriculum. My only exposure to these concepts had come from PHMY 780, Outcomes Design and Assessment, where I learned to analyze clinical trials and interpreted literature to make evidence-based pharmacy decisions. Intrigued, I attended an informational meeting with Dr. Reeder and a small group of students, where I was introduced to managed care pharmacy—a field I had never previously considered.
At this meeting, Dr. Reeder shared an exciting opportunity: the Carolinas Affiliate of the Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy (AMCP) was offering $1,000 scholarships for students to attend AMCP’s annual meeting. I eagerly applied and was fortunate to receive the scholarship, allowing me to travel to San Antonio, Texas, for the conference. At the time, I had never met the fourth-year pharmacy student who also received the scholarship—until I picked her up for our ride to the airport. This seemingly small moment turned into a valuable professional connection, reinforcing the importance of networking and shared passions in shaping one’s career.
Attending the AMCP Annual Meeting was a turning point in my pharmacy journey. Immersed in the world of managed care, I gained a profound appreciation for its impact on optimizing medication use, improving patient outcomes, and shaping healthcare policies. Managed care pharmacy focuses on evidence-based strategies such as formulary management, medication therapy management, and cost-effective healthcare solutions—all areas that align with my interests. The following semester in PHMY 850 (Healthcare System Management), I had learned the fundamentals of insurance and the role of managed care organizations in healthcare. Attached is my notes from the managed care pharmacy lecture in PHMY 850, which outlines the fundamentals of the managed care model and defines the difference of this model versus a Fee-For-Service model (Artifact 1). The lecture provided a strong foundational understanding of managed care pharmacy, equipping me with essential knowledge of its core principles and the pharmacist's role in this field. This classroom experience, combined with my exposure at the AMCP conference, solidified my desire to pursue a career in managed care pharmacy.
One of the most inspiring moments of the conference was attending the Student Chapter Meeting, where I learned how AMCP student chapters were promoting managed care awareness within pharmacy schools. Motivated by these student leaders, my colleague and I decided to establish an AMCP chapter at the University of South Carolina to increase awareness of this underrepresented field among our peers.
Following the conference, a group of four students and I took on the challenge of founding the AMCP Student Chapter at our college. As the chapter’s first president, I dedicated myself to educating students about managed care pharmacy. This endeavor required significant effort and perseverance, especially given the initial unfamiliarity surrounding managed care among both students and faculty. We organized speaker events featuring managed care pharmacists, held discussions on residency opportunities, and provided insight into the daily responsibilities of pharmacists in this field. Attached is an executive meeting agenda from our AMCP chapter, outlining our monthly meeting plans and our ongoing efforts to establish and expand the club at the University of South Carolina (Artifact 2). The goal was to bridge the gap between our classroom experiences in PHMY 850 and real-world managed care pharmacy practice.
Despite initial challenges such as low event turnout, the chapter gradually gained momentum as awareness and interest grew. As my academic journey progressed and I began clinical rotations, I transitioned leadership to another founding member, who continues to expand the chapter’s reach. Seeing the chapter flourish today fills me with immense pride, as I know I played a foundational role in its success—even if I did not fully witness its growth during my tenure as president.
Through this experience, I learned a crucial lesson: pursuing your passion often requires stepping outside your comfort zone. Had I not taken the leap to explore managed care pharmacy, I might never have discovered a field that aligns with both my clinical interests and my desired work-life balance. While I deeply value my retail pharmacy experience and the skills I gained, branching out beyond traditional career paths allowed me to find a role that excites and motivates me. This journey has reinforced my commitment to continuous learning, professional growth, and advocacy for a field that has profoundly shaped my career aspirations
