Navigating the Possibilities of Pharmacy: Celebrating my New Role with BPS
by Sajel Lewis, PharmD, BCPS
Senior Manager, Professional Engagement
I am thrilled and deeply grateful to share my journey with you as I transition into a new role at the Board of Pharmacy Specialties (BPS). The BPS team has shown immense warmth and support as I’ve been onboarded. Now, as I join BPS in July 2023, I find myself reflecting on various experiences that have shaped me and on the passion that drives my commitment to the pharmacy profession.
My venture into pharmacy was fueled by uncertainty mixed with a strong aspiration to make a tangible impact in healthcare. During my time shadowing a pharmacy technician at the University of Florida Health Shands Hospital, I found myself intrigued by the dynamic role and relationships pharmacy technicians maintain with pharmacists. I was convinced I wanted to be part of this profession. My education at the University of Florida College of Pharmacy broadened my horizons, revealing the vast landscape of opportunities within community, health-system, and industry settings. Completing a PGY1 pharmacy residency at Advent Health Ocala in Florida not only refined my clinical skills, but also kindled my interest in administrative roles and leadership. It was at this juncture that I became aware of pharmacy association careers.
This discovery led me to the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) Executive Fellowship in Association Leadership and Management, which proved to be a transformative experience. The fellowship amplified my enthusiasm for collaborating with dedicated members and introduced me to the intricate world of nonprofit associations, and the issues faced by pharmacists, patients, and the healthcare system. It widened my perspective on the various facets of association responsibilities, ranging from education and practice advancement initiatives to stakeholder engagement, marketing, and strategic planning. My fellowship at ASHP provided a window into more nontraditional roles for pharmacists, such as managed care, consulting, and quality. It felt like with every year, I found new opportunities to discover more about pharmacy and grow as a professional.
Achieving board certification was a major goal for me. I sought my board certification in pharmacotherapy not only to demonstrate my expertise to my colleagues and potential employers, but also to bolster my self-confidence. From obtaining my Board-Certified Pharmacotherapy Specialist (BCPS) certification to working at BPS, the organization recognized as the gold standard in pharmacist certification, I became excited to partake in yet another meaningful career journey. The discipline and precision ingrained during my residency and fellowship have been indispensable in my journey, and will no doubt be useful in this next chapter.
It is a privilege to take the next step in my career at a respected organization like BPS that acknowledges the high standards of specialized knowledge and skills among pharmacists. In my role, I look forward to collaborating with BPS specialty council members, exploring future specialty areas, and continuing to promote the value of board certification. I’m eager to contribute to BPS’s mission and vision of recognizing board-certified pharmacists while addressing the needs of the public and the pharmacy profession.