Following in mom’s footsteps

Corey Whetzel is the government and professional affairs fellow at APhA in Washington, DC.

Growing up in my mom’s independent pharmacy in rural West Virginia, I was exposed at a young age to the impact a pharmacist can make. I saw firsthand how friends, neighbors, and residents of my hometown sought her advice inside and outside the pharmacy to help resolve their ailments. I also experienced how the pharmacy was a hub for the community’s health needs.

So, it shocked no one when I followed in my mom’s footsteps and became a pharmacist.

My advocacy journey begins
I was a part of the West Virginia University School of Pharmacy’s inaugural direct admit class and started pharmacy school after 2 years of undergraduate studies. Once in pharmacy school, I joined student organizations, including APhA–ASP, where I became more involved with student advocacy efforts. Each year, our state’s Pharmacy Day at the Legislature was one of my favorites, and it served as a reminder of the importance of advocating for the profession and our patients.

Events like this one and others that highlighted the intersection between pharmacy and the law prompted me to strongly evaluate going to law school—something I had always considered. My pharmacy law and advocacy courses solidified this decision as they increased my desire to learn more about the policies, regulations, and laws that impact pharmacy practice. I used my clinical rotations to learn from pharmacists in different practice settings, including one rotation in advocacy, which showed me all that a PharmD degree can offer.

In addition to my rotations, during my last year of pharmacy school, I took the LSAT and applied to law school. After the application process, I chose Case Western Reserve University, where I pursued a health law concentration, joined their health law journal, and interned at various health care organizations to further my understanding of the interplay between health care and the law.

APhA fellowship the right choice
Once I started to look for postgraduate jobs, I wanted to be in a position where I could utilize the skills that I acquired in both pharmacy and law school. When I came across the APhA Executive Postgraduate Training Program, the job description struck me as the perfect fit. As I am starting my third month at APhA headquarters, I am positive it was the right choice. So far, I have had the opportunity to attend conferences and meetings with pharmacy leaders and gain a more in-depth understanding of current pharmacy issues.

Take me out to the ball game
Reflecting on my journey to this point, I would advise any student pharmacist to find time to enjoy themselves, even during the most stressful times. For me, sports were the optimum break. The games provided me with amusement, and the camaraderie of being with fellow fans offered unmatched social interactions. To ensure I still completed my school responsibilities, I blocked off time in my calendar and improved my time management skills to guarantee I would have this break.

Everyone will experience stress at some point in college, so be sure to schedule time to do what you enjoy!