School of Pharmacy Alumni Spotlight: Dr. Jennifer Hall, Inaugural Class of 2009
It has been 15 years since our Inaugural Class of 2009 graduated from Pacific University School of Pharmacy! Since we just hooded the latest Class of 2024 and sent them on their way into the world of pharmacy, we thought it would be great to touch bases with one of our alumni that graduated in 2009, so we reached out to Dr. Jennifer Hall, PharmD, BCPS. We began by congratulating her for her service to the profession, since she was just appointed to the Oregon Board of Pharmacy in October 2023. We continued to chat with Dr. Hall and learn more about what she has been doing these past several years and seek her advice for our current graduates on how to be more active in shaping pharmacy practice in Oregon, as well as how to prepare for their transition to new practitioners.
Q. It's been 15 years since you graduated from Pacific University with your PharmD. Tell us what you've been up to all of this time and your career accomplishments?
A. I am Currently a Clinical Pharmacist at Legacy Emanuel Medical Center, Randall Children’s Hospital and Unity Center for Behavioral Health in Portland. I obtained my Doctor of Pharmacy degree at Pacific University School of Pharmacy in 2009 (first graduating class) and have been a board-certified pharmacotherapy specialist by the American College of Clinical Pharmacy since 2012. In October 2023, I was appointed by Governor Tina Kotek to serve a 4-year term with the Oregon Board of Pharmacy and I accepted that role with great honor.
My leadership roles in pharmacy began while serving on the Work Environment Committee, participating in Union Contract Negotiations for UFCW Local 555, ongoing Shop Steward training, and aiding as an Affiliate Professor of Pharmacy Practice at Pacific University SOP. I am also a proud 3rd generation Oregonian and try to give back to my community though serving on the PTA and other advocacy groups for Portland Public Schools in North Portland.
During my time being a healthcare professional, I found myself feeling the burn-out and I recognized that I couldn't just sit around and complain about things without putting my best foot forward and trying to turn that negativity into solutions rather than add to the problems. The more I learned and understood barriers in healthcare and in life, the more I wanted to educate and help others!
One of my biggest passions I have discovered about myself is advocating for young people to pursue lifelong learning and believing in themselves at an early age!
My family consists of my husband of 13 years and our 14-year-old daughter and 9-year-old son. We love to go camping at our favorite spot in the Tillamook Forest every year and cook extravagant meals on the grill! We are strong supporters of girls' basketball and are learning more about soccer and cello! One of these days I would love to learn how to use my brand-new sewing machine and take my mom to Iceland to see an art museum dedicated to her great-uncle's artwork!
Q. We recently updated our mission statement. It reads, "Inspiring learners, cultivating leaders, serving society - together!" Thinking back on your time at Pacific, what experiences do you feel contributed to your development as a professional leader and inspired you to serve the public in this role as a member of the Board of Pharmacy?
A. Honestly, we had a high volume of surveys after each block and we would often discuss confusing test questions as a class. While at the time this seemed repetitive and trivial, I think it reinforced our abilities to think critically and speak up, even if we were the only person in the room who felt that way. Our class at Pacific was a team and there were no stupid questions. Serving on the Board of Pharmacy has felt similar in the sense that although we need to work as a team, we are all individuals who are here to represent different communities of Oregon, and all have the same ultimate goal of improving patient safety. We encourage each other to think critically, be patient with each other and ask all the questions so we can try to get things right the first time instead of having remorse later.
Q. What advice would you give to pharmacists, new grads, and current students who want to be more active in advocacy and in shaping pharmacy practice in Oregon?
A. Most people don't wake up and think they want to be an advocate overnight. The truth is, it's not an easy road and the good people that should participate in change often don't think they have the time or capacity to do so. I would say YOU are the right person and everyone's opinion matters. Come to a board meeting, write to your leaders and you might be surprised where it could take you. The first time I joined a committee was because someone simply asked.
Q. Lastly, the Class of 2024 just received their diplomas and hoods at Commencement on May 18th. Any advice as they prepare for licensure and the transition to new practitioners?
A. I remember one of my favorite professors who taught us law said, "If you are not going to follow a particular rule, know what rule you are breaking and why!"
While I am not advocating to break rules, I would say to always make decisions with patient safety as your primary motivation. Take the time to step back and think before you act. Always make informed choices that you can be proud of looking back as a healthcare professional. Most importantly, take time out for yourself! Pharmacy can be rewarding and taxing if you don't take the time to nurture your own mental health. Congratulations and good luck!
Here at Pacific University School of Pharmacy, we love hearing from our alumni and learning about their continued journey in the field of pharmacy. If you have an accomplishment or a story you'd like to share with us, please complete this short form so we can showcase you in our next Alumni Spotlight! And don't forget, we have a page on our website for our pharmacy alumni, if you ever want to learn about volunteer opportunities!
- by Ryan Gibbard, Pharmd, RPh, BCPS | Interim Assistant Dean of Pharmacy Practice & Associate Professor | School of Pharmacy
- by Amber Hieb, BA | Senior Manager of Administrative Operations | School of Pharmacy