Pharmacy Pathways

30 episodes. 27 career paths. And one big conclusion: the pharmacy profession is changing faster — and offering more — than most pharmacists realize.

In this Season 2 Finale of Pharmacy Pathways, I'm breaking down the three biggest lessons from interviewing pharmacists across every corner of the profession — from residency and clinical specialties to industry fellowships and leadership roles. If you're a pharmacy student, a resident, or a practicing pharmacist wondering what's next for your career, this episode maps out what the future actually looks like.

What we cover:

🔹 Why learning what you DON'T want is just as valuable as finding what you do

🔹 How the right pharmacy mentorship can accelerate your career by a decade

🔹 A full recap of Season 2 (13 different pharmacy career paths)

🔹 What's coming next — including honest answers to "Is pharmacy worth it?"

🎧 Pharmacy Pathways is the podcast for pharmacists and pharmacy students who want to understand all the career options available — not just the ones they teach you about in pharmacy school.

💬 Help shape Season 3: drop a comment with the career path or question you want covered next. Guest applications are open.

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👉 About Pharmacy Pathways Video (3 min watch time)

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Disclaimers & Disclosures: The views and content expressed in this video are personal to the speaker(s) only, and not representative of any corresponding organizations or institutions. The content in this video (including text, graphics, images, and information) is intended for informational purposes, and may not be applicable to individual circumstances, therefore, speakers are not held accountable for the result of any actions taken or decisions made as a result of the content viewed. Always consult your healthcare provider for personalized medical advice or your career coach for professional advice.

What Can You Really Do With a Public Health Degree? More specifically, which masters in public health jobs are available for pharmacists? Is getting this dual degree worth it?

Dr. Ashley Saunders is a dual MPH/PharmD pharmacist who works in the pharmaceutical industry, living a life she didn't know was possible. But she makes it clear this path isn't for everybody! She speaks to the pros and cons of getting an MPH while in pharmacy school versus getting them separately vs online. She's ready to answer all your questions.

If you're questioning whether your PharmD is enough to build the career you actually want — this episode is for you. This is your complete guide to one of the most underrated healthcare careers paths in pharmacy

🎓 What You'll Learn:

• Is a Masters in Public Health worth the cost for a PharmD?
• Which MPH concentrations align best with a pharmacy career
• Real pharmacist salary expectations with a dual degree vs. without
• Career paths in pharma, FDA, CDC, managed care, global health & academia
• How the dual degree is structured during pharmacy school
• Research-based vs. practice-focused MPH — what's the difference?
• Online vs. in-person Masters in Public Health programs
• Why a dual degree makes you more competitive for pharma jobs and pharmacy fellowship
• Advice for practicing pharmacists & alternative certification options

▶️ Listen to Ashley's HEOR Career Path Episode

🔗 Connect with Dr. Saunders on LinkedIn

Quick Links:

👉 Subscribe to Newsletter For Exclusive Episode Recaps

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👉 Make requests, submit questions, or give feedback

👉 About Pharmacy Pathways Video (3 min watch time)

Digging this content?

• 🔔 Subscribe to the channel for more expert knowledge and pharmacy insights.
• 💬 Rate the show! Let us and others know what you think

Disclaimers & Disclosures: The views and content expressed in this video are personal to the speaker(s) only, and not representative of any corresponding organizations or institutions. The content in this video (including text, graphics, images, and information) is intended for informational purposes, and may not be applicable to individual circumstances, therefore, speakers are not held accountable for the result of any actions taken or decisions made as a result of the content viewed. Always consult your healthcare provider for personalized medical advice or your career coach for professional advice.

Everything you need to know about pharmacy fellowships — from researching programs to landing the offer is a click away. Whether just getting started or in the thick of applications, this episode gives you the complete step-by-step playbook for getting into a pharmaceutical industry fellowship — from your P1 year all the way to acceptance day. My conversation with Gabriel Henderson — a first-year Market Access Fellow at Novo Nordisk — was broken down into 2 parts.

🎯 What We Cover in PART 1 (0:00 - 23:46)

• This section tackles the fundamentals of pharma fellowships. It's everything you need to know in order to understand if this will be the right path for you before you start your application journey.

🎯 What We Cover in PART 2 (23:47 - 1:23:32)

• The bulk of this section is geared towards PY3 - PY4s who are soon to be or actively in the process of applying. There's also major insight for PY1-PY2 who need to know exactly what they should be doing each year to be competitive.

Check out this 'Pharmacy Fellowship Tracker' already made for you!

Listen to Ashley's HEOR Functional Area Episode

Resources mentioned:

🔗 ISPOR — https://www.ispor.org (certifications, courses, industry trends)

🔗 IPHO — https://www.industrypharmacist.org/ (fellowship listings)

🔗 AMCP — https://www.amcp.org/

🔗 PILS Mentorship Program — https://pilsenterprises.org/proteges

🔗 ASHP Midyear — https://www.ashp.org/meetings-and-conferences

Quick Links:

👉 Subscribe to Newsletter For Exclusive Episode Recaps

👉 Become a Guest, fill out the form

👉 Make requests, submit questions, or give feedback

👉 About Pharmacy Pathways Video (3 min watch time)

Digging this content?

• 🔔 Subscribe to the channel for more expert knowledge and pharmacy insights.
• 💬 Rate the show! Let us and others know what you think

Disclaimers & Disclosures: The views and content expressed in this video are personal to the speaker(s) only, and not representative of any corresponding organizations or institutions. The content in this video (including text, graphics, images, and information) is intended for informational purposes, and may not be applicable to individual circumstances, therefore, speakers are not held accountable for the result of any actions taken or decisions made as a result of the content viewed. Always consult your healthcare provider for personalized medical advice or your career coach for professional advice.

HEOR could be the pharma job you've been looking for — but how do you know if it's the right fit? This conversation may answer your questions. Dr. Ashley Saunders is a Health Economics and Outcomes Research (HEOR) scientist, doctor, and public health advocate working inside pharma. She pulls from her dual background in public health and pharmacy to give us the most comprehensive breakdown of HEOR careers available on social media.

This is not a surface-level overview — we go deep on what the job entails, who can do it, and how you can build a career in it from wherever you are right now. Sitting at the intersection of pharmacoeconomics, clinical pharmacy, data analytics (HTA), and real-world impact — HEOR is a rare find for those seeking value-based healthcare careers within the pharmaceutical industry.

Whether you're a pharmacy student exploring industry careers, a practicing pharmacist ready to pivot, or a public health grad looking for a high-impact role in pharma — HEOR could be your answer.

🔑 Key Topics Covered:

1. What HEOR actually is and why it matters for pharma jobs and value-based healthcare
2. The different HEOR job titles and what each one does
3. How pharmacoeconomics and value-based healthcare tie into this role
4. What salary ranges look like in HEOR vs. other pharma tracks.
5. How to break into HEOR with a PharmD, MPH, or public health background

Resources mentioned:

🔗 ISPOR — ispor.org (certifications, courses, industry trends)

🔗 IPHO — ipho.org (fellowship listings, industry functional area guides)

🔗 LinkedIn — for networking with HEOR professionals at every level

🔗 HOPE Program — Rutgers' master's program in Health Outcomes, Policy & Economics

Quick Links:

👉 Subscribe to Newsletter For Exclusive Episode Recaps

👉 Become a Guest, fill out the form

👉 Make requests, submit questions, or give feedback

👉 About Pharmacy Pathways Video (3 min watch time)

Digging this content?

• 🔔 Subscribe to the channel for more expert knowledge and pharmacy insights.
• 💬 Rate the show! Let us and others know what you think

Disclaimers & Disclosures: The views and content expressed in this video are personal to the speaker(s) only, and not representative of any corresponding organizations or institutions. The content in this video (including text, graphics, images, and information) is intended for informational purposes, and may not be applicable to individual circumstances, therefore, speakers are not held accountable for the result of any actions taken or decisions made as a result of the content viewed. Always consult your healthcare provider for personalized medical advice or your career coach for professional advice.

What does it actually take to become a Director of Pharmacy? In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Byron Alston, a Director of Pharmacy who oversees pharmacy operations across three hospital facilities of a major health system — managing everything from drug budgets and regulatory compliance to team culture and strategic planning. He ascended from staff clinical pharmacist to Director of Pharmacy in under than a decade — and obtained his Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA) along the way to sharpen his business acumen.

Dr. Alston deep dives into his Pharmacy Director role AND explains the strategy for how he got there. And how you can get there too. He also offers practical advice on how to transition from being a hands-on doer to an empowering delegator, the power of internal networking, emotional intelligence, overcoming imposter syndrome, and identifying when you're ready to shoot your shot for a promotion.

Whether you're a pharmacy student mapping out your career path or a pharmacist ready to step into leadership, this conversation covers the real skills, career development strategies, and mindset shifts that separate staff pharmacists from directors.

🔑 More Key Topics Covered:

1. What a Director of Pharmacy actually does day-to-day
2. Typical career pathways and the value of advanced degrees
3. What it takes to successfully manage multiple facilities and personalities
4. Measurable goals and outcomes that are fundamental to drive growth
5. The signs of when you're ready (or not) for your next promotion

Quick Links:

👉 Subscribe to Newsletter For Exclusive Episode Recaps

👉 Become a Guest, fill out the form

👉 Make requests, submit questions, or give feedback

👉 About Pharmacy Pathways Video (3 min watch time)

Digging this content?

• 🔔 Subscribe to the channel for more expert knowledge and pharmacy insights.
• 💬 Rate the show! Let us and others know what you think

Disclaimers & Disclosures: The views and content expressed in this video are personal to the speaker(s) only, and not representative of any corresponding organizations or institutions. The content in this video (including text, graphics, images, and information) is intended for informational purposes, and may not be applicable to individual circumstances, therefore, speakers are not held accountable for the result of any actions taken or decisions made as a result of the content viewed. Always consult your healthcare provider for personalized medical advice or your career coach for professional advice.

Thinking about a specialty pharmacy career? In this video, Dr. Alicia Scott breaks down exactly what it’s really like working as a solid organ transplant pharmacist! Her primary organ is the liver, but as a board-certified transplant specialist, her expertise covers other major organs (kidney, heart, and lung) as well. We explore the day-to-day responsibilities, residency training, and career paths across different transplant specialties so you can decide if becoming a transplant pharmacist is the right path for you!

🔑 What We Cover in This Interview:

1. The Career Roadmap: Navigating PGY1/PGY2 residencies & BCTXP certification
2. Choosing Your Specialty: Kidney, liver, heart, and lung transplants compared
3. Day in the Life: Inpatient vs. outpatient care & multidisciplinary rounding
4. The Patient Reality: Managing complex meds, immunosuppression, and costs
5. Alternative Paths: Non-clinical pharmacy career options (industry, research, etc)
6. Career Longevity: Real-world advice for avoiding pharmacist burnout.

Watch the SNPhA Episode Mentioned: https://youtu.be/e8Ay8KNP7t8

Quick Links:

👉 Subscribe to Newsletter For Exclusive Episode Recaps

👉 Become a Guest, fill out the form

👉 Make requests, submit questions, or give feedback

👉 About Pharmacy Pathways Video (3 min watch time)

Digging this content?

• 🔔 Subscribe to the channel for more expert knowledge and pharmacy insights.
• 💬 Rate the show! Let us and others know what you think

Disclaimers & Disclosures: The views and content expressed in this video are personal to the speaker(s) only, and not representative of any corresponding organizations or institutions. The content in this video (including text, graphics, images, and information) is intended for informational purposes, and may not be applicable to individual circumstances, therefore, speakers are not held accountable for the result of any actions taken or decisions made as a result of the content viewed. Always consult your healthcare provider for personalized medical advice or your career coach for professional advice.

Thinking about pharmacy ownership or buying an independent pharmacy in 2026? In this deep-dive interview, independent pharmacy owner Dr. Keiko Bury shares the REAL numbers, mistakes, and mindset behind successful independent pharmacy ownership – so you can decide if owning a pharmacy is truly right for you. Dr. Keiko started as an 18-year-old cashier writing $200,000 checks with shaking hands. Today, she’s one of the few independent pharmacy owners who not only survived the last 7 years — but actually grew while other pharmacies closed their doors.

In this raw, unfiltered conversation, she breaks down the money, operations, and mindset every future pharmacy owner and pharmacist entrepreneur needs to understand before jumping into pharmacy ownership.

💰 THE MONEY REALITY:

• Why she couldn't pay her drug bill in 2020 (and how she fixed it)
• The hidden fees that can bankrupt your independent pharmacy if you don't track them
• How she transformed her pharmacy's finances in 6 months

📋 THE OPERATIONAL BLUEPRINT:

• Her exact weekly schedule as pharmacy owner
• How she built a team that runs the pharmacy WITHOUT her
• The clinical services that changed everything financially

⚠️ THE HARD TRUTHS:

• Contract negotiations that can quietly make or break your pharmacy
• Why “helping everyone” is the fastest way to go out of business
• The personality traits you NEED to survive as a pharmacist entrepreneurs

🔗 CONNECT WITH DR. KEIKO BURY:

• Website: www.CarboroFamilyPharmacy.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/carrboro_family_pharmacy
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/CarrboroFP

Quick Links:

👉 Subscribe to Newsletter For Exclusive Episode Recaps

👉 Become a Guest, fill out the form

👉 Make requests, submit questions, or give feedback

👉 About Pharmacy Pathways Video (3 min watch time)

Digging this content?

• 🔔 Subscribe to the channel for more expert knowledge and pharmacy insights.
• 💬 Rate the show! Let us and others know what you think

Disclaimers & Disclosures: The views and content expressed in this video are personal to the speaker(s) only, and not representative of any corresponding organizations or institutions. The content in this video (including text, graphics, images, and information) is intended for informational purposes, and may not be applicable to individual circumstances, therefore, speakers are not held accountable for the result of any actions taken or decisions made as a result of the content viewed. Always consult your healthcare provider for personalized medical advice or your career coach for professional advice.

Is the independent pharmacy career path actually better than retail in 2026? If you are a pharma student or a burnt-out pharmacist wondering if the grass is greener at a local pharmacy, this video reveals the truth about work-life balance, daily workflow, and job security.

Successful independent pharmacy owner, Dr. Keiko Bury, gives an honest look at what it’s really like to work in this setting—not just owning one, but the day-to-day reality for the staff. From unique services that keep the pharmacy business profitable to the real role of the community pharmacist, we cover it all.

🔑 In this video, you will learn:

• What does a community pharmacist do every day (beyond just filling scripts)
• Why the work-life balance might surprise you compared to chains
• The innovative services driving pharmacy growth in 2026
• Real talk on the challenges, rewards, and pharmacy workflow
• How to break into the independent space as a career

If you are pursuing your PharmD or looking for pharmacy tips to pivot your career, this deep dive explores the independent pharmacy ownership model from an employee's perspective. Whether you are interested in pharmacy ownership eventually or just want a stable pharmacy career, this interview provides insights you need along with behind-the-scenes community pharmacist footage.

Quick Links:

👉 Subscribe to Newsletter For Exclusive Episode Recaps

👉 Become a Guest, fill out the form

👉 Make requests, submit questions, or give feedback

👉 About Pharmacy Pathways Video (3 min watch time)

Digging this content?

• 🔔 Subscribe to the channel for more expert knowledge and pharmacy insights.
• 💬 Rate the show! Let us and others know what you think

Disclaimers & Disclosures: The views and content expressed in this video are personal to the speaker(s) only, and not representative of any corresponding organizations or institutions. The content in this video (including text, graphics, images, and information) is intended for informational purposes, and may not be applicable to individual circumstances, therefore, speakers are not held accountable for the result of any actions taken or decisions made as a result of the content viewed. Always consult your healthcare provider for personalized medical advice or your career coach for professional advice.

Thinking about becoming a compounding pharmacist? This comprehensive career guide covers everything you need to know! Dr. Thai, a practicing compounding pharmacist and pharmacy owner, gives the complete breakdown in this interview. His pharmacy creates custom medications for over 30 medical specialties for both humans and animals that big pharma can't provide. Discover the education requirements, specialized training programs, and day-to-day responsibilities that set compounding pharmacists apart. We discuss job market trends, entrepreneurship opportunities, work-life balance, and the pros and cons of this growing pharmacy specialty. Whether you're a pharmacy student or practicing pharmacist considering a career change, this episode has the insider information you need!

🔑 Key Takeaways from this Episode:

1. The basics of compounding pharmacy and the unique skillsets required
2. Exact training path and certification requirements to become a compounding pharmacist
3. Typical daily workflow in a compounding pharmacy: POV from staff vs owner
4. Career settings that compounding pharmacists can practice

WATCH ON YOUTUBE: https://youtu.be/Z_ZsPCa1Fpg

Quick Links:

👉 Subscribe to Newsletter For Exclusive Episode Recaps

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👉 Make requests, submit questions, or give feedback

👉 About Pharmacy Pathways Video (3 min watch time)

Digging this content?

• 🔔 Subscribe to the channel for more expert knowledge and pharmacy insights.
• 💬 Rate the show! Let us and others know what you think

Disclaimers & Disclosures: The views and content expressed in this video are personal to the speaker(s) only, and not representative of any corresponding organizations or institutions. The content in this video (including text, graphics, images, and information) is intended for informational purposes, and may not be applicable to individual circumstances, therefore, speakers are not held accountable for the result of any actions taken or decisions made as a result of the content viewed. Always consult your healthcare provider for personalized medical advice.

Get the breakdown for gastroenterology and rheumatology pharmacy practice with Dr. Alana Rice, who manages patients across multiple organ systems from her home office. Learn about the day-to-day reality of managing inflammatory bowel diseases and rheumatoid arthritis with biologics like Humira, Remicade, and newer biosimilars costing $10,000-$30,000 per dose. Alana explains the clinical complexity of TNF inhibitors, IL-12/23 inhibitors, and JAK inhibitors, plus how she monitors therapy response and inflammatory markers. She details her patient panel structure with 60-minute initial visits and 30-minute follow-ups, collaborative practice agreements that allow her to order labs and medications independently, and the insurance prior authorization process. Plus, discover alternative pathways into specialty practice beyond residency, the growing bioimilar market, and why BCACP certification gives you leverage across multiple ambulatory specialties.

🔑 Key Takeaways from this Episode:

1. The remote GI specialty role, key responsibilities, and what managing $30K biologics looks like
2. Free game on the exact pathway to break into GI/rheumatology (residency optional)
3. Why biologics and autoimmune specialties are the fastest-growing opportunities in pharmacy
4. The insider truth about collaborative practice agreements and true pharmacist autonomy

Quick Links:

👉 Subscribe to Newsletter For Exclusive Episode Recaps

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👉 Make requests, submit questions, or give feedback

👉 About Pharmacy Pathways Video (3 min watch time)

Digging this content?

• 🔔 Subscribe to the channel for more expert knowledge and pharmacy insights.
• 💬 Rate the show! Let us and others know what you think

Disclaimers & Disclosures: The views and content expressed in this video are personal to the speaker(s) only, and not representative of any corresponding organizations or institutions. The content in this video (including text, graphics, images, and information) is intended for informational purposes, and may not be applicable to individual circumstances, therefore, speakers are not held accountable for the result of any actions taken or decisions made as a result of the content viewed. Always consult your healthcare provider for personalized medical advice.