Introduction

With over 20 years of experience, Dr. Brady, Pharm.D., is driven by a passion for healthcare, science, and policy. Motivated by the desire to help others and solve complex problems, he has worked in healthcare policy, the pharmaceutical industry, and clinical research. His journey into pharmacy was inspired by the opportunity to improve patient care and access to medicines. Embracing new challenges daily, he focuses on making a meaningful impact on both patient outcomes and healthcare systems.

Why Pharmacy

At a personal level, I find satisfaction helping and serving others. Intellectually, I enjoy science and the pursuit of finding answers through the scientific method. I also relish the opportunity to solve problems that exist at the intersection of science and policy. With this as inspiration, I knew I wanted to have a career in healthcare. As I became more familiar with healthcare policy issues and the important role of medicines in helping patients live better and longer, along with the important role of the pharmacist in improving patient care, I knew I wanted to be a pharmacist and help solve for challenges patient's face in receiving access to care.

Career Journey

I've had somewhat of an atypical career path as a pharmacist. As I reflect, my career started even before I chose to apply for pharmacy school. As part of my undergraduate studies, I was working in the U.S. Senate and a great deal of exposure to a variety of healthcare policy issues, including those facing the practice of pharmacy at the time. Since pharmacy school, I've gained more than 20 years of experience as an executive in trade association, pharmaceutical industry, and clinical research environments.

Current Role and Responsibilities

Most of my workdays are not typical at all and everyday brings a new opportunity and sometimes surprise. While each day may be different, I try to structure my day so that I can ensure I remain focused on what's important and maintain priorities. I typically like to start the day by doing some reading to keep up-to-date on important topics and to connect and communicate with others. I think email and other forms of digital communication can be an easy distraction, so I try to set aside dedicated time twice a day to do those things. Meetings are relationship opportunities that can help advance objectives, but they are also where you can learn about solving problems with different people and build teams around common aims. I also set aside time to write and focus on project needs, I find I do this best in the late afternoon/ early evening.

Challenges

I enjoy my work as a pharmacist because it allows me to contribute both as a healthcare professional and in shaping policies. Our mission is meaningful, and it gives us the chance to make a real impact on people's lives. There’s always more to be done to reach that goal, and for me, that’s the challenge I embrace.

Rewards

There are many rewarding aspects in what I get to do, I'll highlight a couple. First, I am inspired by solving interesting problems and throughout my career I have had the opportunity to do that in a variety of different settings. Second, I am proud to lead and be a part of teams that make a difference and achieve common goals. In a sentence: Figuring out how to get meaningful stuff done leading and working collaboratively with others to benefit patients!

I once had a young pharmacy professional I helped mentor during his pharmacy internships and later hired him to be a member of a team I was leading. He later wrote me a thank you note that read, "you see things in me that I don't yet see in myself."

Work/Life Balance

I have two young children and at this point in my life, they are my hobby. I coach my son's flag football team and I enjoy watching my daughter's basketball team go undefeated over the last two seasons. We also, along with my wife, cook together as a family and we get a lot of enjoyment out of that time together.

Advice for Students and Aspiring Professionals

Maintain curiosity; Be flexible; Practice patience while working with a sense of urgency; Find a friend before you need a friend.