By Mary Leick, PharmD, BCPS, BCTXP
Vice Chair, BPS Solid Organ Transplantation Pharmacy Specialty Council
We have all heard the saying that pharmacy is a small world, and transplant pharmacy is an even smaller world. That said, finding a voice within the community can be intimidating. When I entered my clinical practice in transplant pharmacy following completion of my residency, I was amazed by all the impressive transplant pharmacists that I saw at national meetings and on the various committees and councils across the organizations. I wanted to be able to contribute to this community, but I was not quite sure what to do next. I needed to find my place.
At the start of my career, I took opportunities to grow my clinical expertise through seeking board certification. Even before completing my PGY2 Solid Organ Transplant Pharmacy Residency, I pursued the board-certified pharmacotherapy specialist certification (BCPS) as the board-certified solid organ transplant pharmacist certification (BCTXP) did not yet exist. The BCPS certification validated my understanding of caring for patients in a variety of direct patient care scenarios and optimizing medication management. When BCTXP became available, I enthusiastically pursued this certification. These credentials have given me the confidence that I have the clinical knowledge and abilities to care for complex patients and contribute to the greater pharmacy community. In addition, maintaining them demonstrates that I have continued competency in these specialty areas.
As I was building my clinical expertise, I engaged as a committee member within the American Society of Transplantation to start giving back to the larger transplant pharmacy community. Then, I saw the call for applications to serve on the BPS Solid Organ Transplantation Pharmacy Specialty Council. Initially, I felt intimidated by this opportunity as I did not feel that I had established myself enough to get selected, but I applied, nonetheless. To my joyful surprise, I was invited to serve on the specialty council. The inaugural council members were welcoming and helped create an atmosphere of collaboration. The smaller nature of the council, combined with in-person meetings, allowed for deeper connection with my fellow council members. These relationships made me feel comfortable to contribute and provide my clinical and professional expertise.
As part of the BPS Solid Organ Transplantation Pharmacy Specialty Council, I have served as vice-chair and chair and had the opportunity to meet pharmacists within and outside of the transplant pharmacy community. These connections have been impactful not only within the council but also when I have experienced challenging clinical cases where outside insight can be helpful. I now have personal relationships with highly skilled pharmacists who I can reach out to for support. I am also able to provide them with support when they need it. The small world of transplant pharmacy now feels like a family rather than an intimidating group of impressive pharmacists.
I am so grateful that I pursued board certification to help me gain the confidence to take the “risk” on elevating my professional engagement, like serving on a specialty council, which has allowed me to find my place and voice within this small world.