Practitioner Profile - NPX Newsletter Summer 2018

Dana (Bachmann) Wilkerson, PharmD, MS

What’s your current position?
System Manager of Ambulatory Pharmacy Services, Holzer Medical Center-Gallipolis, Athens, Jackson

What year and from where did you graduate?
Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED) in May 2016

How long have you been an OPA member? What’s been your best experience so far?
I joined OPA as a student pharmacist in 2012, and I have been a member ever since that day! I really enjoy being involved with OPA and all of the activities that I get to participate in by being an active member. However, my best experience so far was providing testimony for Senate Bill (SB) 265, which would recognize pharmacists as health care providers in Ohio. I was able to show the value of community pharmacists and play a vital role in advocating for the profession of pharmacy!

What’s been your favorite moment of your career so far?
My favorite moment of my career so far has been going through my residency program with Ohio State and The Kroger Co. I have grown so much as a person and a practitioner from the time I started this program to now. I have been able to develop skills in service development and advocacy and leadership and learned how to play an active role in implementing change in the profession. I am extremely grateful for all of the preceptors and mentors I’ve had throughout this program.

What’s the best career advice you’ve offered or been given?
The best career advice I have been given and I always offer to others is to be involved in professional pharmacy organizations and to be an active member. Active participation in professional organizations gives you the opportunity to learn from others, to gain new experiences, and to build your professional network. It also allows you to have a voice in your profession, to make an impact, and to help pave the way for the profession of pharmacy.

What’s the biggest challenge you’ve faced as a new practitioner and how did you overcome it?   
The biggest challenge I faced as a new practitioner was learning how to integrate residency life with my personal life. Residency is extremely busy, but I also learned it is extremely important to take time for yourself and to spend time with family and friends. I overcame this challenge by setting goals for myself outside of residency. For example, at the beginning of my second year, I signed up to run a half-marathon. It was a very rewarding experience, and I was able to relax and spend time with my fiancé while he helped me train for the run!