Introduction
Dr. Kim W. Benner is a Professor of Pharmacy Practice at Samford University’s McWhorter School of Pharmacy. She specializes in pediatric pharmacy, teaching, and precepting students while also contributing to clinical research and service initiatives. With extensive experience in both academia and patient care, Dr. Benner is committed to advancing pharmacy education and improving pediatric health outcomes. Learn more about her here.
Why Pharmacy
I originally wanted to be a pediatrician but decided to take the path through a pharmacy career. When I completed my PharmD, I was offered a new residency position at our local Children’s Hospital, so I was the first resident there! Upon completion of this residency, I took at position at Samford, practicing in the same hospital I completed my residency. Twenty-six years later I am still there!
Career Journey
I practice in a stand-alone pediatric hospital on the pulmonary floor. My career path is unique in that I am primarily an academician but I have always maintained an active pharmacy practice at this hospital. For 17 years I practiced in the pediatric intensive care as a clinical specialist, then transitioned to general pediatrics but landed in pulmonary for the past 5 years. I think what makes it unique is that I was the first resident at my hospital (that has now it has grown to 3 residents; I have served as a preceptor since my own graduation) and I teach at the same school I attended. Also I have never actually worked IN the pharmacy (or in a retail pharmacy as a pharmacist), I have only ever practiced in a purely clinical setting in a unit in this pediatric hospital. I cant imagine practicing anywhere else.
Current Role and Responsibilities
Most days I head into the hospital early to meet my experiential students. We work up our assigned patients and round with an interdisciplinary pediatric medical team. There we make recommendations, counsel families, educate health care practitioners and everything else that comes along with a clinical specialty position. Most afternoons I go to the school where I teach classes, mentor other students or attend meetings. I can also work on scholarship/research and service interests in my "free time".
Challenges
Keeping up with all the changes in pediatrics, medications and health system policies! Working with students help keep me on my toes and teaching helps keep me up to date on some, not all, medical/pharmacy issues. Even after 26 years I still struggle with children who are sick and dying though.
Rewards
Since I practice in a pediatric teaching hospital, the medical residents are very open to pharmacy input and really value our presence and assistance. It is a great place to practice and model to students what a progressive collaborative practice can look like. So, I love practicing there, right on the patient floor with a medical team. I also love working with students and sharing my passion with them; mentoring students is one of my favorite parts of my position.
Advice for Students and Aspiring Professionals
Explore as much as you can in pediatric pharmacy! There are so many different areas, general peds, peds oncology, ambulatory care, neonatal care, etc. Shadow practitioners, take electives in school related to areas of interest, get a mentor with a shared interest and try to get a variety of APPEs in many different areas.