Dispense As Written: Ambassador Spotlight – Dr. Chelsea Sumner

Featured PILs Ambassador:

Chelsea Sumner, PharmD
Pharmaceutical Industry Pharmacy Specialist

Who/what inspired you to pursue pharmacy?

I was inspired to pursue pharmacy by my mentor Carla White, who is an Associate Dean at UNC School of Pharmacy.  She Fascinated me with all of the opportunities that are available to PharmDs.

What is the most rewarding aspect of your area of pharmacy practice?

Most rewarding aspect of pharmacy practice for me being a non-traditonal pharmacist in marketing is the global opportunity of impacting patients.  I love knowing that the decisions I make won’t just affect one person but has the ability to affect millions.

At what moment did you realize you were a real pharmacist?

When I put RPh behind my name it really dawned on me that I was a whole pharmacist.

Which prominent figure, past or present, leadership style do you admire and why?

Michelle Obama – she’s authentic and genuine and she shows up to the world as best she can as herself with no apologies.  I want to live a life that is me unapologetically where I help make people’s lives better because I’ve lived.  She exemplifies to me servant leadership which is something I aspire to emulate.

What particular aspect of your field/specialization do you foresee drastically changing in the next 5 years?

I think we are currently seeing things drastically change due to COVID-19 and we will continue to see change.  I think the biggest thing will be the digitization of healthcare with increased need for telehealth and automation of processes.  It’s going to require people to be more innovative and strategic in their thinking letting go of the older more conservative ways of the past.

Interview by: Chandler Schexnayder, PharmD, BCPS, CDE.

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