Introduction

Dr. Whitney Aultman, a Clinical Pharmacist at State of Franklin Healthcare Associates and Assistant Professor at East Tennessee State University, focuses on optimizing medication therapy, particularly for chronic conditions like heart failure, COPD, diabetes, and pain management. She holds degrees from Michigan State and Ferris State University, with additional residency training at Beaumont Hospital. Dr. Aultman values collaboration in healthcare and enjoys baking, reading, and hiking in her free time. Learn more about her here.

Why Pharmacy

I've wanted to be a pharmacist since I was in high school and was able to shadow in multiple area. The combination of science, medicine, and patient interaction thrilled me, but I didn't know I wanted to be an ambulatory care pharmacist until my P3 year. When I started pharmacy school, my heart was set on community practice as I enjoyed talking with my patients and forming a relationship with them. It wasn't until my P3 year that I discovered ambulatory care and knew I could combine my community practice passion with the additional clinical interventions that ambulatory practice allowed. After discovering ambulatory care practice, I made sure to have these rotations early in my P4 year and applied for a general PGY1 to strengthen a broad foundation, then early committed at the same site for their PGY2 in ambulatory care.

Career Journey

I am an ambulatory care pharmacist practicing in both internal medicine and family medicine clinics with primary care providers. In my clinic setting, I'm lucky enough to practice with multiple specialties in our PCMH including social workers, dieticians, analytics teams, nurses, NP/PAs, and physicians. I've been with my practice site for over 6 years now and in the past few years, my position has changed to one that also has significant administrative work for our organization's quality metrics. All on top of my teaching and having students from Bill Gatton College of Pharmacy on rotation with me. My career path has lead me to rural Appalachia in the mountains of Tennessee from urban Detroit, MI allowing me to see multiple walks of life, but at the end of the day, very similar concerns.

Current Role and Responsibilities

It's easier to describe my typical work week. I practice in clinic an average of three days a week seeing patients collaboratively with providers and our interdisciplinary team. One day a week is in our administrative offices working on quality metrics and sitting in on meetings with our analytics teams, nurse case managers, and insurance plans. Finally, on average I spend around one day a week on campus at Bill Gatton College of Pharmacy for teaching or service.

Challenges

The most challenging aspect of my role is time management. Juggling the multifaceted aspects of my position can be difficult and mean a longer work day/week depending on the day of the week or time of the year.

Rewards

Hands down the most rewarding aspect of my job is helping patients better understand their medications and simplifying regimens or ensuring that patients are getting the best guideline directed therapy that is still centered on their personal preferences and abilities.

Advice for Students and Aspiring Professionals

I would strongly recommend shadowing multiple ambulatory care pharmacists and having your ambcare P4 rotations early in your final year to really demonstrate your commitment to this specialty. It will also allow you to see the many facets of ambulatory care practice. I strongly believe that no two ambulatory care positions are the same - clinic providers, patient population, disease states, etc. can all be different in ambulatory care leading to a very diverse specialty.