School of Pharmacy: Spring 2023 Alumni Spotlight
Dr. Emily Gray, Pacific University PharmD ‘17, is a preceptor at Lancaster Family Health Clinic. After completing her PGY-1 residency at Virginia Garcia in 2018, she was then hired at Lancaster Family Health Clinic as a part-time pharmacist. She was brought on to help start the pharmacy’s clinical services. The pharmacy now successfully manages patients’ diabetes and hypertension through a collaborate practice and she has taken on the position as pharmacy manager. Below Dr. Gray shares her thoughts on her pharmacy preparation and working with students.
Q. How has your pharmacy school education prepared you for the evolving demands and challenges of the pharmacy profession?
A. I think that Pacific has a done good job at preparing their students for a variety of different situations. When I was out on APPEs I felt that I had the ability to know how to quickly access my resources and that is something useful that I have carried with me throughout my time as a pharmacist. I also felt very well supported by faculty and my classmates when I needed to work through a problem. At Pacific I was also able to grow in my leadership abilities through the wide selection of different clubs and organizations
Q. What advice would you offer to pharmacy students who are about to graduate and enter the professional world based on your own experiences after completing the program?
A. There are so many opportunities for pharmacists these days, the job market is open and available. Try to explore as many different avenues of pharmacy as you can during APPEs. Even if you think you know what you want to do after school, APPEs might be your last chance to explore different avenues that you might not consider otherwise.
Q. How would you describe your approach to precepting pharmacy students?
A. I love working with students, I always take the approach of “meeting them where they are at.” I like to get a sense of their interests coming into their rotations so that we are able to tailor their experiences to what they are passionate about. My number one priority for my students is to promote their growth.
Q. What strategies do you employ to ensure a positive learning environment for pharmacy students?
A. I’ve worked hard to develop an environment that is conducive to learning for my students. I strive to make the workplace a comfortable place to ask questions. I also make sure that my students are included into the current pharmacy team and can spend time with members in each position in the workflow.
Q. How do you support pharmacy students in developing their professional networks and career goals?
A. I am strong advocate for residency, it taught me so much and helped me grow as a pharmacist and I encourage my students to consider the possibility of what it may offer to them. I’m always happy to help with residency preparation and making connections for students to others in a particular subject of interest. I have always enjoyed mentoring and aiding in students’ growth.