Archive for August, 2023

This month, we are joined at Plain City Druggist by Shannon Peck a fourth-year pharmacy student from The Ohio State University’s College of Pharmacy.

Shannon will graduate in May 2024 with her PharmD degree and will then take the test to become a registered pharmacist. Shannon will be with Tayler and the gang here in Plain City throughout August, so please stop by and meet her while she is here.

Here is what Shannon tells us about herself:

Hello! My name is Shannon Peck, and I am excited to be helping out at Plain City Druggist for the month of August. I am currently a fourth-year pharmacy student, expecting to graduate with my PharmD in the spring. I previously graduated from OSU in 2021 with a Bachelors in Pharmaceutical Sciences and a minor in Spanish.

I have been interested in pharmacy and healthcare since the eighth grade, and have been lucky enough to explore my interests ever since. My intrigue in the profession started after shadowing my cousin at her place of work, a hospital pharmacy. At that point in time, the leeches and robotics were what caught my eye, but I’ve really come to love learning about the chemistry and the reasoning for why drugs work (or maybe don’t work) in the body.

I also like how pharmacy makes you look not only at how the body interacts with drugs, but also how socioeconomic and environmental factors come into play when considering if a certain medicine is a good fit for a patient. Pharmacy can be like detective work, trying to build a complete picture in order to determine if a patient is being treated appropriately.

As of now, my career interests mainly lie in emergency medicine and critical care. I currently work as a pharmacy intern at Mount Carmel Grove City and have been able to shadow in our emergency department (ED) a few times. I’ve really enjoyed my rotations that have taken place in various hospital EDs throughout Columbus. Not only do I like the general atmosphere and energy in these settings, but I also like that they are unpredictable…you never know what you are going to see in the beginning of each workday! This aligns with my overall interest in lifelong learning.

The hospital setting also appeals to me because of the ample opportunities for research. I think I would find it very fulfilling to perform research projects after seeing uncommon disease states in persons as part of a treatment team.

After graduation, I am hoping to continue learning in an ED or ICU setting during PGY1 and PGY2 residencies.

When I’m not working in a pharmacy or studying, you’ll usually find me working as a waitress! I have worked at Skyline Chili for the last 7.5 years, and was recently made a manager there.

I also recently started working at Valentina’s, a new Italian restaurant that just opened in Bridge Park, Dublin. I like that these jobs allow me to stay active and connected with others in my community. I think that my communication skills in a pharmacy setting have been greatly improved by having a background in the service industry. When I first started pharmacy school it surprised me to see just how many skills are transferrable between the two industries.

If I do have a day off of work, I like to spend time playing volleyball with my friends or hanging out with my pets. My family never had any pets while I was growing up, so earlier this year when my brother and I moved into an apartment together, we kept our self-control to a minimum and got both a puppy (Theo) and a cat (Mabel)…best impulse decision ever!

This month, we are joined at Happy Druggist on Karl Road by Deema Alhaj, a fourth-year pharmacy student from The Ohio State University’s College of Pharmacy.

Deema will graduate in May 2024 with her PharmD degree and will then take the test to become a registered pharmacist. Deema will be with Kristie and the staff on Karl Road throughout August, so please stop by and meet her while she is in the pharmacy.

Here is what Deema tells us about her life and goals:

My name is Deema Alhaj. I am a fourth-year pharmacy student at The Ohio State University’s College of Pharmacy.

I am originally from Palestine, but I grew up in Jordan. After completing high school, I embarked on a life-changing adventure that led me to the United States, where I discovered my passion for pharmacy and the wonders of medicine.

In 2015, I took a leap of faith and moved to the US after I met my soulmate and husband, who was born and raised in Columbus, and I immediately started college here.

The first challenge I encountered was language barriers. Determined to overcome this obstacle, I immersed myself in learning English, attending language classes, and practicing with native speakers. As I became more confident in my language skills, I realized that my true calling lay in the field of pharmacy.

Enrolling at The Ohio State University was a significant milestone in my journey. I decided to major in pharmaceutical sciences, driven by my fascination with how medicines work and their potential to improve lives. The coursework was both challenging and rewarding, allowing me to gain a deeper understanding of pharmacology, drug interactions, and patient care.

My dedication and hard work paid off as I was accepted into The Ohio State University’s Doctor of Pharmacy program. It was a dream come true, and I knew that I was on the right path to becoming a pharmacist – an expert in a field that has the power to make a difference in people’s lives.

My passion for pharmacy led me to seek practical experience alongside my academic pursuits. To ensure that this was the right career for me, I decided to work at CVS while completing my studies. Working with customers and being part of their healthcare journey was an eye-opening experience. I enjoyed listening to their concerns and providing valuable advice, reinforcing my desire to pursue a career in this field.

As my knowledge grew, so did my curiosity about pharmacy. Two years ago, I decided to explore hospital pharmacy, aiming to expand my expertise and understanding of the healthcare system. I joined the Wexner Medical Center pharmacy team. It was an enriching experience, where I had the privilege of learning from highly knowledgeable pharmacists who collaborated closely with doctors, nurses, respiratory therapists, and other healthcare professionals. Together, we worked as a cohesive unit to ensure that every patient received the utmost care and attention.

Throughout my journey, I have nurtured a long-term goal – to become an ambulatory care pharmacist. This specialty area aligns perfectly with my passion for patient care and medication management. I envision myself working in an outpatient setting, having direct interactions with patients, and making a positive impact on their lives. Additionally, I aspire to contribute to the field by teaching in a pharmacy school or precepting pharmacy students, sharing my knowledge and experiences to shape the future of pharmacy practice.

Beyond pharmacy, I have another profound passion – traveling. Exploring new destinations with my husband fills my heart with joy and broadens my horizons. Last summer, we embarked on an incredible adventure, visiting four countries in four weeks – Jordan, Turkey, Maldives, and Dubai, UAE. Each place offered unique experiences, cultural richness, and unforgettable memories