Introduction

From an early interest in reproductive health to a specialized role in fertility pharmacy, Dr. Alexis Ireland, PharmD, has built a career rooted in both curiosity and compassion. Unsure at first whether her path would lead to fertility, prenatal care, or women’s health more broadly, she discovered that pharmacy offered the perfect blend of biology, chemistry, and patient education. Today, she supports patients through some of the most meaningful moments of their lives—equipping them with the knowledge and confidence to navigate complex fertility treatments.

Why Pharmacy

I knew I wanted to be involved in reproduction in some way. I wasn't sure if fertility, prenatal care, or women's health in general would be my calling. I did know that I was not great with blood, so becoming a medical doctor may not be the best path. I found biology and chemistry very interesting, so pharmacy was a great fit.

Career Journey

I was a pharmacy technician during school. I also spent a lot of time positioning myself in the fertility clinic here at UIHC. I shadowed nurses, attended meetings, and made sure that the pharmacy administration knew I was interested and knowledgeable in the area. I worked at a retail pharmacy for a couple years before a position in the IVF clinic opened up for a pharmacist.

Current Role and Responsibilities

I meet with patients every day. The first time I meet with them, I perform med rec and explain their fertility medication insurance coverage or options. I also discuss the whole process of an IVF cycle and start planting the seed about all of the injections involved. The second time I meet with them, I spend about 45 minutes teaching them 4-6 different injectable medications. We practice with demo devices and even do a practice injection. When I am not with patients, I am charting, doing research, and serving as a liaison between the clinic and the pharmacy.

Challenges

The most challenging part of my job is working with insurance companies. I have found ways to try to streamline this, but it is still frustrating to base medical decisions on financial variables.

Rewards

I love teaching patients. The best part of my job is that the patient population is very motivated to learn and succeed in their treatment regimen. They are so eager to learn and master everything I teach them. I love seeing things click for them as they piece together all of the different areas that they learn. The staff and administration also values improving care and the success of cycles.

I love teaching pharmacists the intricacies of the medications we use for fertility. My biggest career impact was helping to write the Fertility Pharmacy Certificate track for ASHP's Specialty Certificate. I was able to share all of the pharmacokinetic knowledge I have about the medications with a large audience of pharmacists.

Work/Life Balance

Balancing work/life can be very difficult. I am a mom to 7 kids, some with special needs, and I work full time. I am very passionate about both my work and kids, so I try to make sure I am doing my best in both areas. If I am not able to put my best effort forward, I need to pull back on things instead of doing either area less than 100%.

Advice for Students and Aspiring Professionals

Don't be afraid to let people know what you are interested in. Learn what you need to learn, however you can. You may not get a credit or a certificate for everything you learn, but the knowledge and expertise will prove themselves.