Introduction
Dr. Taylor Howell is a Registered Store Manager at Walgreens Boots Alliance with over 19 years of pharmacy experience, including leadership in specialty and retail pharmacy. With a Doctor of Pharmacy degree, Dr. Howell manages pharmacy operations, medication therapy, and a team of pharmacists and technicians. She focuses on improving efficiency, patient care, and fostering a collaborative environment. Passionate about professional development, she stays updated on industry trends to provide high-quality service and positively impact community health.
Why Pharmacy
My journey into the realm of specialty pharmacy has been a rewarding adventure, fueled by a deep-rooted passion for making a meaningful impact on patients' lives. I initially started on my pharmacy career in a community setting, where I found immense joy in connecting with individuals and addressing their everyday healthcare needs.
My journey took a pivotal turn when I managed a retail pharmacy specializing in HIV care. It was here that I discovered my passion for specialty pharmacy – a field that goes beyond the conventional and allows me to connect patients with vital resources, ensuring they can afford and access crucial medication therapies.
Eager to delve deeper into this specialized realm, I proactively reached out to a nearby community specialty pharmacy within my company and sought the opportunity to shadow their professionals. This experience not only provided invaluable insights but also allowed me to establish connections with local specialty pharmacists who became mentors in my journey.
To further enhance my knowledge and expertise, I actively participated in drug information programs whenever they were available. This commitment to continuous learning not only kept me informed about the latest advancements but also positioned me as a dedicated professional in the eyes of my peers.
When an opportunity arose for a leadership role in specialty pharmacy, I seized the moment and applied, leveraging the skills and insights I had gained throughout my journey. Making the transition to a specialty pharmacy manager has been a gratifying step, allowing me to lead a team dedicated to providing specialized care and support to patients with unique healthcare needs.
Career Journey
As a Registered Store Manager at Walgreens Specialty, I oversee a dynamic practice setting that specializes in the forefront of healthcare – focusing on oncology, HIV, transplant, neurology, and pulmonology. Our site is not just a pharmacy; it's a hub of specialized care, with access to over 140 limited distribution drugs, making it an integral part of the healthcare landscape.
In my role as a specialty pharmacy manager, I am entrusted with the responsibility of fostering and expanding relationships with healthcare providers and representatives from the pharmaceutical industry. This involves collaborative efforts to ensure seamless patient care, providing them with access to the most advanced and specialized medications available.
Our pharmacy is not just about dispensing medications; it's a center for comprehensive care, where we prioritize the unique needs of patients in the realms of oncology, HIV, transplant, neurology, and pulmonology. It's a setting where every day brings new challenges and opportunities to make a real difference in the lives of those facing complex health conditions.
One of the distinctive features of our practice is the extensive range of limited distribution drugs we have access to. This allows us to stay at the forefront of advancements in pharmaceuticals, ensuring that our patients receive the most cutting-edge and effective treatments available.
In addition to my role in cultivating external relationships, I am deeply committed to supporting and leading my pharmacy team. Together, we create an environment that not only focuses on the highest standards of pharmaceutical care but also fosters professional growth and collaboration among team members.
Current Role and Responsibilities
As a specialty pharmacy manager, each day in the world of pharmacy offers a dynamic blend of responsibilities and opportunities. I kickstart my day by collaborating with my dedicated team, ensuring they have the resources and plans in place for a successful day. A key aspect of my role involves staying connected through emails and communications from healthcare providers and our company, ensuring seamless information flow.
What truly sets pharmacy management apart is our direct impact on various disease states. Picture this: I engage with patients to conduct initial assessments, assist in setting up prescription refills, and facilitate comprehensive medication reviews during 6-month check-ins. It's a chance to make a tangible difference in patients' lives by optimizing their medication regimens.
But it doesn't stop there – I actively work towards improving accessibility for patients. This includes enrolling them in copay cards and seeking grant funding when available, ensuring that cost is never a barrier to effective healthcare. Additionally, once or twice a month, I step out for provider detailing, a unique opportunity to build strong relationships and contribute to the growth of our business.
Challenges
As a Specialty Pharmacy Manager, one of the most invigorating challenges I face is in the realm of marketing and sales, essentially "selling" our specialized services. Interestingly, this aspect wasn't part of my traditional pharmacist training, but it has proven to be an immensely rewarding facet of my role.
Navigating the world of marketing and sales in pharmacy requires a unique set of skills, and the learning curve can be steep. Yet, it has become an exciting journey as I've ventured into networking with various healthcare providers. Building relationships in this way has not only been a personal growth experience but has also been a driving force behind the growth of our pharmacy business.
The challenge lies in effectively communicating the value of our specialized services to healthcare providers, establishing trust, and showcasing how our collaboration can significantly impact patient care. Despite the initial unfamiliarity, the journey of "selling" our services has been transformative. Witnessing our business flourish and, more importantly, observing the tangible improvements in the lives of the patients we serve is a testament to the strength of the partnerships we build between pharmacy and medicine.
Rewards
As a Specialty Pharmacy Manager, the most gratifying aspect of my role is the profound impact I can make on patients' lives. Picture this: a critically ill patient, burdened not only by their health condition but also by the daunting cost of their medication. The most rewarding moment is when I can share with them that I've secured financial assistance, potentially saving them thousands of dollars. Witnessing the relief on their faces and knowing that they no longer have to fear the financial strain of affording their vital medication is incredibly fulfilling. It goes beyond dispensing drugs; it's about providing tangible solutions that significantly improve their quality of life.
In my capacity as a pharmacy manager, another immensely rewarding facet of my career is the opportunity to coach and train individuals. Seeing the growth and development of my team members is truly satisfying. Guiding them to excel in their roles not only contributes to the success of our pharmacy but also fosters a collaborative and supportive work environment. The sense of accomplishment that comes from nurturing the professional growth of individuals within my team adds a layer of fulfillment to my career that goes beyond the traditional scope of pharmacy management.
Advice for Students and Aspiring Professionals
My advice for a student pharmacist interested in specialty pharmacy would be to explore various specialty areas within pharmacy to identify specific areas of interest, network with professionals in those specialties, seek mentorship, stay updated on industry trends, and consider gaining relevant experience through internships or rotations to enhance your skills and knowledge in the chosen specialty.
Additionally, actively participate in professional organizations, attend conferences, and stay informed about advancements in pharmaceuticals and patient care within the specialty pharmacy field.