by Lawrence J. Cohen, PharmD, BCPP, FASHP, FCCP, FCP, FNAP
BPS Pediatric Pharmacy Specialty Council Member
My “Long and Winding Road” (McCartney-Lennon) brought me to BPS, so how did I get here?
It all began in the early 1970s, while I was an undergraduate at University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). As a hungry college student, I stumbled on a career path that to this day has served me very well. I saw an announcement that a nearby hospital was hiring, and I pursued a position as a nursing assistant in the orthopedic surgery unit. I learned so much about patient care, how to communicate with various health professionals, the importance of team-based care, and the value of everyone who worked to make the hospital run effectively.
Surgeons invited me to observe some of the earliest total hip replacement surgeries ever performed; nurses taught me how to provide wound care, and I observed how critically important housekeeping staff were in keeping the hospital doors open. I learned how to perform electrocardiograms and later became an ECG/EKG technician. I discovered various “tips of the trade” such as white coats may be intimidating to some psychiatric patients, wearing a tie could be a choking hazard, and the importance of not having sharp objects like scissors in my ECG cart.
These experiences, coupled with a focus on communication and collaboration, and my interest in studying animal behavior/neurobiology, began my journey that ultimately resulted in becoming a board-certified psychiatric pharmacist (BCPP).
My first position after completing my psychiatric pharmacy residency was serving as Clinical Pharmacist and Manager of Medical Services for Kern County Department of Mental Health, which included operating outpatient medication clinics. My winding road brought me to the role of Director of Pharmaceutical Services, overseeing state hospitals and outpatient clinics. Additionally, I established a clinical consulting service for individuals with developmental disorders and brought my patient care experiences with me as I moved into academics, teaching pharmacy, medical and nursing students.
Once I joined the community of pharmacists holding the BCPP credential, I found myself using my previous career experiences to advocate for the role and expertise of board-certified pharmacists. I was fortunate to serve as the Global Director of CNS Research for a CRO, which exposed me to regulatory issues in drug development, global health differences and health policy, areas that have been of interest to my fellow specialty council members. Communication skills, respect for others, responsibility for giving back, and mentoring, were threads I pulled through my career and into my engagement with BPS.
Being a board-certified specialist has given me confidence in my skills and the knowledge necessary to perform at my highest level. In my experience, being board-certified has also given me a level of credibility among other health professionals, especially the many physicians, nurses, psychologists, and healthcare administrators I have come to have as friends and colleagues.
My board certification is an integral part of my professional identity, which is the reason I continue to be engaged with BPS. Through BPS, I have had opportunities to serve on specialty councils and the Employer Advisory Council. BPS engagement opportunities are truly a joy. I enjoy sharing my expertise and experiences with others, while learning from their unique experiences, too. Over the years, I’ve found my involvement with BPS has shaped me into a better editor and educator as I collaborate with peers through council service and item writing.
Volunteering with BPS has been a highlight of my career and provides me with opportunities to continue to serve as an advocate of pharmacist board certification within and beyond the profession of pharmacy. I am grateful for opportunities with BPS and hope others will consider serving on a specialty council as they travel on their “winding roads”.