Sara J. White, M.S., FASHP, the 2006 Harvey AK Whitney Award winner, stated “Every pharmacist must be a leader in their practice or on their shift. Each must connect with their inner drive, their passion for what they do and for making things better.” As an educator, I strive to develop pharmacy practitioners who will be leaders in providing unsurpassed patient care and advancing pharmacy practice. A pharmacy leader is a critical thinker and problem solver and is committed to personal and professional development–all in the name of ensuring patients receive optimal care. And most importantly, the skills and mentality needed to be a pharmacy leader begin in the classroom.
Students need a learning environment that fosters independent thinking, active participation, and collaboration among learners–an environment where critical thinking and problem-solving skills are integral components of the learning process. This learning environment should also highlight the value of the learning process itself, as pharmacy leaders must be lifelong learners who are motivated and empowered to seek out new opportunities for their pharmacy practice. In addition, faculty, preceptors and other pharmacy professionals should serve as role models for lifelong learning as we too are continually building upon our own knowledge and skills to teach, train, and contribute to our profession more effectively.
Finally, I believe assessment and evaluation are invaluable in the personal and professional development of pharmacy leaders. My goal is to encourage students to evaluate their development and to welcome constructive feedback from peers, instructors, and other professionals. As an educator and preceptor, I strive to equip my students with the knowledge, critical thinking skills, and professional experience necessary to become passionate practitioners who provide excellent patient care and advance pharmacy practice.
Education