pharmacy.unc.eduwho’s your hero?

Our heros are the people that have the greatest capacity to influence and inspire. They are the people around you every day, motivating you, guiding you and pushing you to your personal best. They are responsible, strategic thinkers, creative, purposeful and passionate. They have tremendous impact. They are our leaders. They understand that leadership is a choice. The UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy would like to introduce you to its next generation of leaders.

Pharmacist and Director of Recruitment Development and Diversity Initiatives, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy

Carla White

who’s your hero?

“The versaTiliTy ThaT the profession offers really excites me. Being able to administer vaccines in a community setting, counsel patients one-on-one, and work with physicians to recommend antibiotic regimens provides me just the change of scenery I need to constantly peak my interests. I cannot express how important it is to our profession that leaders are eagerly sought after and fostered. The UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy has been dedicated to this effort.”

Portia JohnsonPharmacist at WakeMed Raleigh Hospital, Pharmacy and Rite Aid Pharmacy in ClaytonUNC PharmD ’10

“WhaT exciTes me mosT about the pharmacy profession is the vast array of opportunities for service expansion in the future. As a profession, we have broadened the breadth of pharmacy services by becoming increasingly involved in patient care and actively defining the idea of medication therapy management. The next logical step is for pharmacists to start taking responsibility for drug-related outcomes.”

Alexander T. JenkinsMedication Safety Officer, Department of Pharmacy, WakeMed Health and HospitalsUNC PharmD ’08, MS ’10

“WheTher immunizing, managing medication regimens, or providing reliable information to other health care professionals, it seems pharmacists more than ever have a tremendous value within the health-care team. I believe John Quincy Adams was correct when stating leadership can take on multiple roles. As future pharmacists we all must assume some level of leadership, and our joint effort will benefit the profession of pharmacy and those we serve.”

Jeff ReichardPharmacy Practice Resident, University of North Carolina Hospitals and ClinicUNC PharmD ’11

“i find The expansion in pharmacists’ roles over the past decade to be very exciting. Pharmacists are becoming more integrated into the health-care team and play key roles in optimizing patient medication regimens to improve outcomes, avoid adverse drug effects, and minimize cost. Finding the next generation of leaders is crucial in order to ensure that we continue to advance the profession rather than letting others define our future roles. While I questioned my decision many times during my four years of pharmacy school, I now know I have made the right choice. I have found a career that I truly enjoy and one that will continue to challenge me for many years to come.”

Rochelle CarltonClinical Pharmacist, Durham Regional HospitalUNC PharmD ’10

“The american socieTy of Health-System Pharmacists’ Practice Model Initiative to advance health-system pharmacy makes me proud to be a part of change and implementation of new ideas to improve patient care. Leadership is necessary to facilitate change within the pharmacy profession. It is critical for pharmacy schools like the UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy to invest and mentor future leaders to promote change and improvement within pharmacy.”

Sarah MorrisonHealth-System Pharmacy Administration Resident, Virginia Commonwealth University Health SystemUNC PharmD ’10

“i love hoW The field of pharmacy is never stagnant. The roles of the pharmacist are constantly changing, and there are an endless number of opportunities that pharmacy has to offer to students who are passionate about making a positive impact in people’s lives. Being able to serve as a Pharmaceutical Care Lab teaching assistant for incoming first-professional-year Students was a very rewarding experience. It was great to help calm their fears and apprehensions upon entering pharmacy school and to watch their development as students. To me, leadership is inspiring others to do their best. This type of motivation is essential in pharmacy’s continued growth and improvement.”

Danny FuAmbulatory Care Pharmacy Practice Resident, Carolinas Medical Center–NortheastUNC PharmD ’11

“The profession of pharmacy is continually evolving. Great strides have been made over the past twenty-five years. Since then, many visionary and transitional leaders have helped enhance the roles of pharmacists and pharmacy technicians in all health-care settings. As a new practitioner and young pharmacy leader, it’s exciting to work side by side with leaders in the profession and gain insight from people who have as strong a passion for the profession as I do.”

Christopher MurrayManager of Perioperative Pharmacy Services, Duke University HospitalUNC MS in Health System Pharmacy, ’10

“you geT an opporTuniTy to advise patients about the medications that they are taking, why they are taking it, and how it affects their overall health. Moreover, pharmacists also interact with other health-care professionals as drug experts who have extensive knowledge on drug mechanisms of action and kinetics. This communication with physicians and patients and the ever-evolving pharmaceutical field is what excites me most about our profession.”

Hitesh Dharmu Vasnani UNC Eshelman School of PharmacyPharmD Candidate ’12

“my pharmd Training enables me to identify areas of research that could meaningfully impact patient pharmacotherapy while my graduate school training has taught me how to design and carry out studies within those areas. It is most exciting to know that the discoveries that I make in my research will one day be translated to clinical practice and ultimately improve patient care. There is a need for respected, determined, intelligent researchers who can identify the current shortcomings of pharmacotherapy and envision the future possibilities.”

Dan HertzDivision of Pharmacotherapy and Experimental Therapeutics, UNC Eshelman School of PharmacyPhD Candidate Candidate ’12

“i am inspired by being able to help people live longer and healthier lives for themselves and their families. I am proud that I was accepted to a competitive and prestigious university and to have been in the top 20 percent of my class. Leadership is important especially for pharmacy as we are faced with many battles in our health-care reform. Pharmacists need to take leadership positions so that our voices can be heard. I believe UNC is the best place for leaders to be born and potentially be a voice for our profession.”

Brianna FranklinPharmacy Practice Resident, Shands HospitalUNC PharmD ’11

“The diversiTy of The profession, and the opportunities that come from that interests me the most about the pharmacy profession. I am also intrigued by the future of pharmacy and its progression toward a patient-care focus. I believe personal growth is my biggest accomplishment; I have been through a lot in my life and faced fears and challenges head on. At the School, there will be a lot of times that a change is necessary and a student leader can step in and help bring that change. There will also be many moments that students will mentor and help monitor and motivate student mentees to achieve certain goals. Therefore, I believe that leadership skills are critical in selecting future pharmacy students.”

Nastaran-GharkholonareheUNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy,PharmD Candidate ’13

“pharmacy is a rapidly evolving field and new leaders are needed to move us towards our goal of providing better patient care through improved drug therapy. As a graduate student I received a pilot grant through the NC Translational and Clinical Sciences Institute that helped provide preliminary data for my dissertation work. I have had the opportunity to work closely with several faculty members to teach professional students cardiovascular pharmacology. In pharmacy, leadership is the ability to take the field in a new direction by bringing innovative ideas to the table and developing them into new systems of thought that advance the profession.”

Bob SchuckDivision of Pharmacotherapy and Experimental Therapeutics, UNC Eshelman School of PharmacyPhD Candidate ’13

“i am alWays reminded of this quote “what is popular is not always right; what is right is not always popular.” I think of a leader as someone who is not afraid to do the right thing even if it is not popular. It is important for UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy to find the next generation of leaders to represent the voices of our profession as a whole.”

Ryon ChaoUNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, PharmD Candidate ’12

“Being a parT of the drug-discovery process is very rewarding. I enjoy using science to explore medically relevant problems and knowing that this research can benefit further development in both fields. It’s important to continue to find the next generation of leaders at the UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy because they are the heart of the School. They not only propel the School to new levels of excellence, but they help and encourage others to do the same which makes the School stronger as a whole.”

Courtney JonesUNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, Division of Medicinal Chemistry and Natural ProductsUNC PhD ’11

“This profession has a variety of career opportunities that are available for pharmacists to make a difference in the lives of others. My passion has always been to serve my community; to serve by providing optimal pharmaceutical care and health advice, especially to our underserved populations. As a pharmacy professional, I’ve been able to serve and use my skills in diverse settings that include: hospital pharmacy, community pharmacy, mission and volunteer work, drug information centers, and as a health outcomes and policy researcher.”

Amica Simmons YonUNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, Division of Pharmaceutical Outcomes and Policy Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Cecil G. Sheps Center for Health Services ResearchUNC PharmD ’06 PhD Candidate ’12

“The pharmacisT is an integral part of the health-care team. Now community pharmacies give vaccinations, provide diabetes classes, monitor blood pressure. The profession is constantly moving forward, and the role of the pharmacist is expanding. You will see pharmacists in retail, independent, ambulatory care, hospital, industry, academia, or a mix of all of these.”

Nicole NicolsenPharmacy Practice Resident, University of North Carolina Hospitals and Clinics UNC PharmD ’11

“The ever-expanding role that pharmacists have within health-care is the most compelling aspect of our profession. Our clinical knowledge and expertise allows us to diffuse into different niches and unchartered territories. As we increase our role in these different health-care areas, enhance our impact for both our patients and our profession. By developing sustainable practices and innovative opportunities that challenge the status quo, we are serving as agents of change that shape the future of health-care. Seeing this change and being part of it makes me want to enable others to act so that our collaborative action will one day set new precedents for others to follow.”

David SteebUNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, PharmD Candidate ’13

“access To qualiTy care, is critical to improve patient outcomes. Pharmacists are continuing to utilize their knowledge and training to take on more clinical roles, and I believe this will increase further in the future. As pharmacists we can offer many services that have a positive impact on patient outcomes. As more people gain access to health-care, the role of the pharmacist will be critical in improving the quality and availability of health-care.”

Whitney ChaneyCritical Care Pharmacy Resident, University of Maryland Medical Center UNC PharmD ’10

“i like The many opTions of service you have in the pharmacy profession. I chose nuclear pharmacy because I love working with my hands and enjoy chemistry. I also know the importance of the role diagnostic imaging plays in the health-care industry. Knowing that the products I dispense are used to provide a timely diagnosis or treatment for patients is rewarding.”

Kimberly N. MasonPharmacist, Cardinal Health Nuclear Pharmacy UNC PharmD ’10

“leadership is The driving force of growth and development within any organization. Individuals in leadership must actively inspire and motivate others to achieve. Leaders must be able to understand the passions of people and integrate these passions to accomplish a collective goal. The next generation of pharmacy leaders must be motivated to provide the necessary continuity, momentum, and flexibility required to accommodate the vast amount of changes that are occurring in the pharmaceutical arena. Successful leaders view change as an opportunity, not a challenge. Aristotle reminded us that ‘Excellence is an art won by training and habituation. We do not act rightly because we have virtue or excellence, but we rather have those because we have acted rightly. We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act but a habit.’ To me, this simply means that every day we consistently make intelligent, responsible and effective decisions, we achieve excellence.

Davon TownsendAcademic Postdoctoral Fellow Office of Recruitment, Development and Diversity Initiatives UNC Eshelman School of PharmacyUNC PharmD ’11

“The Wide expansive naTure of oncology and immunology research, as well as the opportunity to impact society in a positive way through drug development and drug delivery are what interest me most. Drug delivery in oncology is an issue, with toxic side effects being the norm. However, through creative development of drug delivery vehicles, we can decrease the toxicity of these drugs and increase survival times, making cancer not a fatal disease but a chronic one.”

Beth A. VasievichDivision of Molecular Pharmaceutics, UNC Eshelman School of PharmacyPhD Candidate ’11

“The dynamic profession of pharmacy allows me to be as broadly or narrowly focused as I would like to be. It is also one of very few professions where I can completely change my practice from hospital to community or to a research lab later on in my career. Our training allows us exposure to various tracks of pharmacy and provides guidance through internships, fellowships, and residencies. I am also proud to be part of a profession that is service oriented. Numerous polls have placed pharmacy as one of the top trusted professions in the U.S.”

Benyam MulunehHematology/Oncology Pharmacy Specialty Resident University of North Carolina Hospitals and Clinics UNC PharmD ’10

“pharmacisTs can impacT every phase of the medication-use process and have the opportunity to enhance the public’s knowledge of their medications through direct patient-care activities in both the community and hospital settings. Leadership is the opportunity to develop individuals into a team that is working toward common goals. It is vital for the UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy to find and cultivate leaders to continue advancing the profession of pharmacy in all practice areas.”

Lindsey PoppeSenior Administration Resident and Clinical Manager of Hematology-Oncology Services at UNC HospitalsMS in Health System Pharmacy ’11

“i geT exciTed aT WhaT pharmacy has evolved to be. There is great opportunity for pharmacists to contribute collaboratively to patient care. I get excited to know that I get to spend my career contributing to such a transformation. Leadership offers an opportunity to share a gift with others. Where our giftedness lies is the area in which we emerge as leaders. What I like best about leadership is that through leadership, we can offer our gift as a gift to others so that they may find their own and emerge as leaders in their own right.”

Maurice D. AlexanderHematology/Oncology Pharmacy Specialty Resident, University of North Carolina Hospitals and ClinicsUNC PharmD ’10

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