Meet your pharmacist, Dr. Paul M. Szumita, PharmD, FCCM, FASHP, BCCCP, BCPS! Dr. Szumita is a medication expert and integral member of the interdisciplinary team. The ability to improve patients’ outcomes through specialized training and expertise led him to enroll in pharmacy school. Read our full interview below:

What makes your career path unique?
Critical care is unique because you can see the impact of patient care over the course of hours, many times. It is extremely rewarding to know you play a part in helping patients when they are the sickest. (Pharm4Me Note: Patients do best when pharmacists are part of their healthcare professional teams, thus improving outcomes. Learn more about pharmacy here).

What does your work/life balance look like?
I love my job and I put all I have into it. I love my family and friends and I put all I have into them. Overall, I’d say I have as close to perfect work/life balance.

What do you love most about your job, working as a healthcare professional?
No two days are ever the same. There are new challenges every day.

What do you wish someone told you in high school?
Work hard, have fun, and always remember to keep you head towards the future, while getting the most out of the present. One day you will be a respected professional.

What’s the best advice you were given?
Never pass on an opportunity. You never know what roads that opportunity will open.

What do you believe to be the biggest misconception about the field of pharmacy?
I’d like to break the misconception that there is a limited number of jobs a pharmacist healthcare professional can have. In the ever-changing field of healthcare, pharmacist have many unique career paths within the healthcare environment.