Introduction
Dr. Sean Kim, PharmD, first discovered the impact of pharmacy as an immigrant relying on a local pharmacist when access to doctors was limited. That early experience shaped his belief in pharmacy as a powerful, community-based healthcare solution. Today, through his work at the California Pharmacists Association, he advocates for policies that recognize pharmacists as essential providers. His career is driven by a clear mission: to advance equity, access, and the role of pharmacy in shaping a better healthcare system.
Why Pharmacy
I chose pharmacy because I’ve always believed in the power of accessible, affordable, community-based care. Growing up, as an immigrant, I didn’t always have immediate access to physicians, but I had a local pharmacist who knew me by name and helped guide my health decisions. That stuck with me.
But as I moved through the profession, I realized pharmacy is more than medications, it’s about policy, education, advocacy, and equity. I wanted to be part of shaping the future of healthcare, especially for those who often get left behind in traditional healthcare systems. Pharmacy gave me the tools, the platform, and the people to do that work.
Now, every day, I wake up thinking not just about how we dispense medications, but how we meet our patients' needs, protect our profession, and redefine what pharmacy means to the public. That’s why I chose pharmacy. And I’m still choosing it.
Career Journey
My path into pharmacy wasn’t a straight line. It was shaped by lived experience, community needs, and the belief that healthcare should be accessible to everyone, not just those who can navigate the system.
I pursued a Doctor of Pharmacy degree because I wanted to be part of that solution to serve, educate, and bridge gaps in care. But once I entered the field, I realized the real barriers weren’t clinical. They were systemic. Reimbursement challenges, an outdated regulatory model, such as the scope of practice, and underutilized pharmacists were limiting what we could offer.
That realization pushed me into advocacy, continuing education, and policy. Now at the California Pharmacists Association, I focus on empowering pharmacy professionals to practice at the top of their education, training, and experience, ensuring they’re recognized and reimbursed as essential healthcare providers.
Pharmacy gave me a purpose. My career has been about making sure it gives that same sense of purpose and possibility to others.
Current Role and Responsibilities
Every day is a little different, but that’s part of what keeps it meaningful.
I wear multiple hats in my role, so my “typical” workday usually involves a mix of strategy, advocacy, communication, and problem-solving. I spend part of the day reviewing legislation that affects pharmacy practice, especially around pharmacy and medical benefit reimbursement, test and treat, and access to care. I’m often drafting public comments, coordinating meetings with state agencies, or preparing talking points for hearings.
Another big part of my day is dedicated to continuing education, developing CE programs, reviewing content for ACPE compliance, and supporting pharmacists and technicians with up-to-date resources.
I also carve out time to meet with members and stakeholders, listening to their challenges in the field and helping translate that into policy action or support tools. Those conversations are what keep me grounded and aligned with the profession’s REAL needs.
If there’s a grant or workforce development project underway (which there often is), I might spend part of the day building out a proposal, analyzing metrics, or coordinating with partners.
There are long days, but every email, every meeting, every draft is part of a bigger vision, helping pharmacy lead the change in healthcare, not just react to it.
Challenges
One of the most challenging aspects of my career has been navigating the gap between policy and practice. We can pass a law or launch a new program, but that doesn’t always mean it gets implemented smoothly, or at all. The disconnect between what’s written on paper and what’s actually happening in the field can be incredibly frustrating, especially when you are doing the right thing but still aren’t being reimbursed or recognized.
Another challenge is that pharmacy often has to fight for a seat at the table, even when we’ve proven our value time and time again. There are moments where it feels like we’re constantly having to re-explain what we do, or why our services matter, especially in broader healthcare conversations dominated by legacy systems.
Balancing the urgency of field needs with the pace of systems change is tough. It requires patience, strategy, and a deep understanding of both the legislative landscape and the day-to-day realities of pharmacy practice.
But even in those challenges, there’s purpose. Every obstacle we confront is a reminder of why this work matters and why we have to keep pushing.
Rewards
The most rewarding part of my career is seeing tangible change, especially when it starts with a story from the field. When a pharmacist tells me their patient was able to get blood pressure under control because of a pharmacist-led service, or that they finally got paid for a clinical visit after months of advocacy, that’s the reward.
I’m motivated by impact. Whether it's helping pass a bill that provides access to care, creating CE programs that equip professionals to practice confidently, or guiding technicians and early-career pharmacists toward leadership, I see it all as building the future of pharmacy, piece by piece.
Another incredibly rewarding aspect is the community. Pharmacy professionals are resilient, passionate, and deeply committed to patient care. Being able to support them, whether through policy, education, or just listening, is an honor I don’t take lightly.
It’s easy to feel burned out in healthcare, especially when systems are slow to change. But when you help make that change happen, and see how it empowers others, that’s fuel for the next fight.
One moment that stands out to me was during our coordinated advocacy around pharmacy benefit manager reform and the Standard of Care model in California. We were hearing from pharmacists and other healthcare providers across the state, all saying the same thing: the system is broken, and it's blocking us from caring for our patients.
At CPhA, I helped lead a coalition effort behind SB 41, which would bring accountability and transparency to PBMs, ending practices like below-cost reimbursement and spread pricing. Simultaneously, we were advancing AB 1503, which lays the foundation for a Standard of Care regulatory framework, so pharmacists could practice at the top of their education, training, and experiences without being restricted by outdated, prescriptive laws.
During one of our member town halls, a pharmacist shared that they had over 1,000s unsubmitted medical benefit claims, not because the care wasn’t delivered, but because there was no clear path to bill under the medical benefit. That lit a fire. We immediately began engaging with the Department of Health Care Services and commercial payers, connecting the dots between AB 1114, AB 317, and the need for a true medical benefit billing infrastructure.
Through that work, we secured clearer guidance and ensured pharmacists could start to bill for services that had long gone unrecognized.
It wasn’t just policy on paper. It was real people, real patients, and real solutions. Seeing the shift from “I’m not sure I can get paid” to “I billed and got reimbursed” is one of the most fulfilling outcomes I’ve experienced.
Work/Life Balance
Work/life balance isn’t something I’ve mastered. It’s something I actively manage, and sometimes struggle with. But over time, I’ve learned a few things that help me stay centered.
First, I’m intentional about prioritizing purpose over perfection. In advocacy and policy work, things move slowly, and there’s always more to do. I’ve had to learn to set boundaries around what truly moves the mission forward and let go of the rest.
Second, I try to build my calendar around energy, not just time. I schedule focus time for strategy and writing when I’m sharpest, and I block time for exercise, family, or even just a walk when I feel myself getting stretched too thin.
I also surround myself with people who understand the bigger picture. We are stronger and smarter together. Most importantly, I remind myself why I’m doing this work. It’s not about being busy. It’s about making the profession stronger and serving patients better. The pharmacist's oath on my desk is a reminder of my mindset. That mindset helps me align my effort with impact, and make space for the things that matter most, inside and outside of work.
Advice for Students and Aspiring Professionals
If you’re a student thinking about a career that blends pharmacy, leadership, policy, and advocacy, my biggest advice is this: don’t wait to get involved. You don’t need a title to lead. Start showing up to meetings, join your state or national pharmacy association, volunteer for a committee, or help draft testimony. The sooner you step into those spaces, the more prepared and connected you’ll be when opportunities arise.
Second, learn to speak both clinical and systems language. Understanding medications and patient care is essential, but so is knowing how decisions are made, how laws are written, and how reimbursement flows. If you can bridge that gap, you’ll be able to open doors not just for yourself, but for the entire profession.
Also: build relationships, not just with pharmacists and pharmacy technicians, but with physicians, payers, public health leaders, and policymakers. Your credibility and impact will grow the more you listen, learn, and collaborate across disciplines.
Finally, know your “why.” This work isn’t easy. The timelines are long, the resistance is real, and change takes time. But if you know who you’re fighting for, whether it’s your community, your profession, or future patients, you’ll stay grounded, and you’ll keep going.