National Pharmacy Week | Spotlight on Logan McDermott

Logan McDermott is a third-year doctor of pharmacy student and the Phoenix VP of Patient Care for the American Pharmacists Association-Academy of Student Pharmacists. 

She shares with us the importance of community and the vital role pharmacists play within the community. 

National Pharmacy Week — October 16-22 — is an annual observance that acknowledges the invaluable contributions that pharmacists and pharmacy technicians make to patient care in hospitals, ambulatory care clinics, and other healthcare settings.

Why did you choose pharmacy as a field of study?
I was always interested in healthcare as a teen and became a pharmacy tech right when I turned 18. I received my undergraduate degree in biochemistry and so most of my prerequisites were fulfilled through this program. I enjoyed the pharmacy path and the impact pharmacists could have on patients. I also knew I didn’t want to deal with a lot of blood and guts so pharmacy felt like a path that fit that for me!

What makes the R. Ken Coit College of Pharmacy unique? 
I think the continued mentorship I’ve received from multiple professors over the last few years has been a special experience that I’m thankful for. Also, I think the research opportunities, leadership involvement, and CV development are unique opportunities the program provides students to be a part of.

What are your goals after you graduate from the Coit College of Pharmacy? 
I am interested in community-facing roles. I am currently with Walmart and could see myself having a successful and rewarding career becoming a pharmacy manager with them. I am also interested in ambulatory care roles and could see myself enjoying a residency in this area post-graduation. I also still have my APPE experiences ahead of me that may open doors for me in areas that I may have not realized I was interested in.

What do you think is the pharmacists' role in the community? 
I think there's a huge opportunity for pharmacists to get involved in medication management and consults in community settings. For example, if I could live in a perfect pharmacy world, I would love to see a pharmacist assigned to every newly diagnosed patient with diabetes. There is so much that goes into a quality pharmacy consult that can improve a patient’s quality of life and take the stress off of providers. Pharmacists have unique skill sets that can be beneficial on a clinical team.

Why do you believe community outreach is important? 
Community is everything. I think many of us are very disconnected from our neighbors and the people that live in our same community. We gain a better perspective and sense of compassion for others when we immerse ourselves in our local communities. I think community outreach gives people a purpose and makes people feel like they are a part of something bigger than themselves. Us, as pharmacists, we can provide much-needed services to our neighbors that may not receive care otherwise and I think that’s an amazing thing to be a part of.

How does providing health screenings and health information help you and your colleagues become better pharmacists? 
In my opinion, hands-on experience is critical for learning. Health screenings are a great way for students to get that hands-on experience interacting with real patients. I think students gain more confidence in their knowledge and ability to speak to patients at health fairs. They also have a chance to lean on other students and preceptors if they are struggling in a certain area. I think students can also see the positive impact they have made on that patient right away, which is a great feeling. Some of our events are slower and some are very busy. So, this also provides students an opportunity to be a part of a dynamic workflow which is a critical aspect to navigate in most workplaces.

What is a widely held belief about pharmacy or pharmacists that you've heard and want to change? 
I think many members of the public and also healthcare providers believe that pharmacists only count pills and dispense medications. Though this is true, pharmacists have a much wider scope nowadays. From my experience, in retail pharmacies, I do not think most pharmacists are practicing at the top of their knowledge in these settings. I would love to see more pharmacists in the room helping make clinical decisions and interventions. With pharmacies at nearly every street corner in the United States, pharmacists are truly the most accessible health providers for patients to be in direct contact with.