Introduction
Terri L. Peters, R.Ph., P.D., is the President and CEO of Quality of Life Pharmacy & Health, Inc., a veteran-owned pharmacy she co-founded with her husband, Roderick G. Peters. Born and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Terri began her pharmacy career as a pharmacy technician in the U.S. Air Force from 1981 to 1988, achieving the rank of Staff Sergeant. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Professional Pharmacy from the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia in 1994. Her diverse career includes roles in community pharmacies, long-term care facilities, hospitals, and executive pharmacy management. Read more about her here.
Why Pharmacy
Upon graduation from high school, I had the following options as my Air Force Specialty Code (AFSC): flight medicine, veterinary medicine, and pharmacy technician. I wanted to be a doctor, so I thought that as a pharmacy technician, I would learn about the medications that I would be ordering as a physician, so I chose pharmacy technician.
Career Journey
After basic training, I started as a pharmacy technician in 1981. By 1988, I was determined to become a pharmacist, so I enrolled at the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy & Science in 1989. It was tough because my GI Bill only covered one semester, so I worked four jobs to make ends meet while pursuing my education. My class was the last to have the option to continue for two more years to earn a PharmD or graduate with the 5-year BScPharm degree. We were also the first to take the new clinical NAPLEX, which included patient scenarios. My military training made parts of the exam easier, while others struggled without similar experience. I passed both the 6-hour NAPLEX and the 3-hour Law exam. Due to exhaustion and lack of finances, I opted not to continue for the PharmD and took some time to explore other options.
In 1999, after marriage and the birth of our daughter, my husband and I decided to learn about compounding at the Professional Compounding Centers of America (PCCA). This experience changed the course of our careers. We had already gained experience in long-term care, community, and specialty pharmacies, but compounding became our true passion. After completing the necessary training at PCCA, we sold our home, using the proceeds to start Quality of Life Pharmacy in 2008. We love what we do and feel privileged to care for our community.
Current Role and Responsibilities
My day starts at 9:00 a.m. at University of Maryland Laurel Medical Center, where I am the pharmacist in charge of an Urgent Care Facility that provides emergency medical care, overnight observation care, along with Outpatient Surgical Services. When I leave at 5:30 p.m., I travel to Quality of Life Pharmacy & Health, Inc., where I compound, consult, educate, assess, develop care plans, and communicate and collaborate with providers.
Challenges
Working 2 full time jobs. The day job maintains my lifestyle and Quality of Life Pharmacy, takes care of the expenses for the pharmacy.
Rewards
Yes, it can be exhausting, but when my sickle cell babies go into remission, when my pain management clients are relieved of pain, and when my hormone replacement patients are relieved of suffering menopause, it is worth it.
Work/Life Balance
I slow down when I need to slow down. I make sure that I interact with my family multiple times during the day, and we have family meetings about any and everything. We also travel together when our schedules permit.
Advice for Students and Aspiring Professionals
Follow your passion, master it and don't focus so much on hiring employees right away. Know your craft so that once you begin hiring, you will have employees that will replicate you, your skillset, and your passion.