By Jacob Govel, PharmD
PGY1 Pharmacy Resident
BPS Student & New Practitioner Ad Hoc Committee
I was introduced to board certification during my time as a student at Binghamton University School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, where I developed a strong interest in infectious diseases. Now, as a PGY1 pharmacy resident at the University of Kentucky HealthCare, my interest in infectious diseases and board certification have deepened and I plan to pursue PGY2 pharmacy residency training, too.
Initially, I was unfamiliar with the benefits of board certification and viewed it as a distant, optional career step but not central to my professional identity. However, as I gained more experience, my perspective evolved, and I began to view board certification as an important and meaningful step in both career development and professional identity formation.
My exposure to board certification grew substantially when I became involved in research focused on board certification preparation in schools of pharmacy. Alongside several mentors, we identified that while data exists on board certification preparation in residency programs, there was an opportunity to expand this focus to schools of pharmacy. We believed this was especially important as career planning and professional development are key aspects of pharmacy education.
After writing a letter to the editor on this topic, we decided to conduct a project evaluating board certification awareness and preparation in schools of pharmacy across the country, supported by the 2024 Board of Pharmacy Specialties (BPS) Research Seed Grant. This project has been extremely enlightening in evaluating the benefits of board certification, such as the validation of clinical knowledge, while also providing insight into the current levels of awareness in pharmacy programs across the country.
My involvement in this project led me to pursue further involvement with BPS. I currently serve on the BPS Student & New Practitioner Ad Hoc Committee, where I work with student pharmacists, new practitioners, and BPS staff to share perspectives and address the needs of pharmacists early in their careers. This experience has been extremely rewarding, as I have been able to engage with professionals and learners across the country and understand the impact of board certification on the profession. It has also reinforced the importance of ensuring that students and new practitioners are informed and supported when pursuing board certification.
As I transition from student to new practitioner, these experiences have played a significant role in shaping my professional identity. What previously felt like a distant, optional step now feels like a logical and meaningful part of my growth as a clinical pharmacist. I plan to pursue the Pharmacotherapy Specialty Certification (BCPS), followed by the Infectious Disease Pharmacy Specialty Certification (BCIDP) upon completing my postgraduate training. To me, board certification represents validated expertise, a commitment to learning and continuing education, and a dedication to providing high quality patient care. I look forward to continuing my involvement with BPS as I progress in my career.