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What does innovation look like with a PharmD?

For some, it means transforming patient care from within traditional practice. For others, it means bringing pharmacy expertise to entirely new industries. Today, I’m excited to share ten remarkable stories that might just change how you think about your pharmacy career - and the transferable skills that made these transitions possible.

Four Paths to Innovation 🌟

Before we dive into today’s stories I want you to understand how I’m bucketing four different ways to create impact with your PharmD. Each path represents a unique approach to innovation, but all share one common thread: using PharmD expertise to solve important problems. * And for fun I’ll share how I rank each on my very official Career Change Spice Index 🌶️

• Level 1 (Mild) 🌶️: Pushing boundaries within pharmacy - innovative PharmD roles
• Level 2 (Medium) 🌶️🌶️: Breaking the mold - unique roles adjacent to pharmacy
• Level 3 (Hot) 🌶️🌶️🌶️: Full healthcare innovation mode - beyond traditional paths
• Level 4 (Extra Hot) 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️: Complete career pivot - doing whatever your want

Clinical Practice Innovation 🏥 Transforming pharmacy from within, modernizing how we deliver care while leveraging our deep clinical expertise. These innovators show us that sometimes the most powerful changes happen by reimagining what’s possible within existing systems.
Level 1 (Mild) 🌶️: Pushing boundaries within pharmacy - innovative PharmD roles

Practice Model Innovation 💡 Building bridges between traditional pharmacy and new ways of practicing. These trailblazers create independent models that expand pharmacy’s boundaries.
Level 2 (Medium) 🌶️🌶️: Breaking the mold - unique roles adjacent to pharmacy

Healthcare Business Innovation 💼 Combining clinical insight with entrepreneurial vision. These pioneers build new companies and systems that solve healthcare problems in creative ways.
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Level 3 (Hot) 🌶️🌶️🌶️: Full healthcare innovation mode - beyond traditional paths

Cross-Industry Innovation 🚀 Bringing pharmacy expertise to unexpected places. These visionaries show us that pharmacy skills can create impact anywhere.

Level 4 (Extra Hot) 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️: Complete career pivot - doing whatever your want

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Let’s meet some pharmacists who are creating change through each of these paths…

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Clinical Practice Innovation: Making Waves Within Pharmacy 🏥

Level 1 (Mild) 🌶️: Pushing boundaries within pharmacy - innovative PharmD roles

Remote Care Reimagined ⚕️

​Dr. Thea Blystone​

When Dr. Thea Blystone looked at traditional pharmacy, she saw something others didn’t: an opportunity to transform patient care through technology. Unlike many who simply dream of change, she decided to build it.

“Pharmacists are built for more,” Thea explains. “More care, more time with patients, more quality over quantity, and a more rewarding career.”

Through TM Pharmacy Consulting, she’s proven that high-quality pharmacy care isn’t bound by physical location. She is the Queen of remote patient services and her growing team is a testament to just how profitable this business model is. Her Proven Pivot Program is helping other pharmacists transform their own practices, showing that the future of pharmacy extends far beyond traditional settings.

Transferrable Skills from their PharmD degree:

• Patient assessment and monitoring expertise

• Experience explaining complex health concepts simply

• Understanding of healthcare systems and regulations

• Strong documentation and follow-up habits

The Power of Words in Healthcare ✍️

​Nicole Lovullo​

“Words are, of course, the most powerful drug used by mankind.”

For Nicole Lovullo, this Rudyard Kipling quote became a career compass. After noticing the gap between complex medical information and the people who needed to understand it, she built a bridge through medical writing.

Fifteen years later, her work spans scientific meetings, CME symposia, advisory boards, and publications. As a preceptor for three pharmacy schools, she’s not just writing about healthcare—she’s helping shape how the next generation of pharmacists think about communication.

Transferrable Skills from their PharmD degree:

• Deep understanding of clinical literature

• Experience translating medical jargon

• Attention to detail and accuracy

• Knowledge of regulatory requirements

Practice Model Innovation: Breaking New Ground

Level 2 (Medium) 🌶️🌶️: Breaking the mold - unique roles adjacent to pharmacy

Redefining Consultant Pharmacy 🥼

​Dr. Jaron Stout​

“I realized that the only way to reach our full potential is to break away from corporate pharmacies and team up with physicians.” When Dr. Jaron Stout shares this insight, you can hear the conviction in his voice.

After working for two different pharmacy chains since 2012, he saw a gap between what consultant pharmacists could do and what they were actually doing. Instead of accepting the status quo, he built something new.

A recent success story? “In the last five years, I’ve only seen two cases where I ended up keeping fenofibrate on board long term. Rather than starting a new med, we educate residents about how triglycerides relate to carb intake. Sometimes the best intervention isn’t a medication at all.” Jaron is growing his practice in long-term care and skilled nursing facilities across Utah and a few neighboring states. His team and impact is growing year-over-year. He is showing pharmacists how to do more than check boxes, but to practice at the top of their license. (And is doing great work advocating for our profession on Capital Hill, in his non-exitstant freetime)

Transferrable Skills from their PharmD degree:

• Clinical assessment and intervention expertise

• Experience with medication therapy management

• Understanding of healthcare quality metrics

• Ability to collaborate with prescribers

Healthcare Business Innovation: Transforming Systems 💼

Level 3 (Hot) 🌶️🌶️🌶️: Full healthcare innovation mode - beyond traditional paths

Building a Better Future for Pediatric Care 👶🏼

​Dr. Jena Quinn​

In pediatric pharmacy, every decimal point matters. Every interaction is crucial. Every family needs clarity and confidence. Dr. Jena Quinn saw these truths firsthand, but she also saw something else: a system that could work better for everyone involved.

Through Perfecting Peds, she’s not just serving patients—she’s reshaping what’s possible in pediatric pharmacy care. Her recent victory? A unanimously passed House bill supporting pharmacist reimbursement for cognitive services.

“Does opposition stop me? No. Does it fuel me? Yes.” This resilience has helped her build a company that’s not just serving patients but transforming pediatric care.

Transferrable Skills from their PharmD degree:

• Precision with calculations and safety checks

• Experience working with vulnerable populations

• Knowledge of insurance and reimbursement systems

• Ability to navigate healthcare regulations

Revolutionizing Drug Accessibility 💊

​Dr. Erin Albert​

When Dr. Erin Albert looks at pharmacy, she sees more than prescriptions and patients—she sees systems that can be transformed. As a licensed pharmacist, healthcare professional, educator, and attorney, she brings a unique perspective to one of healthcare’s biggest challenges: making medications more affordable and accessible.

At the Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drug Company, she’s building something revolutionary: a transparent pharmacy network that could reshape how Americans access their medications. Her work has been featured in the NY Times, BBC, NPR, and Forbes, showing how pharmacy expertise can inform national conversations about healthcare access.

Transferrable Skills from their PharmD degree:

• Understanding of drug supply chain

• Knowledge of pharmacy economics

• Experience with healthcare systems

• Regulatory compliance expertise

Cross-Industry Innovation: Breaking Boundaries 🚀

Level 4 (Extra Hot) 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️: Complete career pivot - doing whatever your want

Lights, Camera, Healthcare Action 🎥

​Dr. Anaïs Mennuti​

“We want patients and pharmacists to feel empowered.” When Dr. Anaïs Mennuti speaks these words, she’s not standing behind a pharmacy counter—she’s often behind a camera.

While maintaining her role at PeaceHealth, she’s pioneered a unique way to advocate for pharmacy through documentary filmmaking. Her work isn’t just documenting current challenges; it’s helping shape conversations about the future of healthcare.

Transferrable Skills from their PharmD degree:

• Ability to break down complex topics

• Experience gathering and verifying information

• Understanding of healthcare narratives

• Strong interviewing and listening skills

From Prescription Pads to Soil Science 🌱

​Dr. Melissa Milliken​

During a 12-year search while working as a pharmacist, Dr. Melissa Milliken found her answer in an unexpected place: the soil beneath our feet. Today, she’s applying her analytical mind to soil restoration, showing how pharmacy skills can transform environmental health.

“The teachers I had outside of allopathic medicine were going straight to the root,” Melissa reflects. “Relationship. Relationship with self, with others, with body and mind, with behavior, with surroundings… Soil Biology and Soil Health brings focus to the roots of our body’s wellbeing through understanding our relationship with the environment.”

Transferrable Skills from their PharmD degree:

• Scientific research methodology

• Analytical thinking • Systems-based problem solving

• Data collection and analysis

You Tube ▶️

​Kevin Yee​

“I’m a pharmacist who went the unconventional path of creating my own niche on YouTube.” Through Refugee Hustle and Kaizen Closing, Kevin Yee has built a unique bridge between pharmacy expertise and the creator economy, helping others monetize their personal brands ethically.

Think of it as bringing pharmacy’s ethical foundation to the wild west of digital entrepreneurship. “To some, I’m a super connector,” he notes, “but I see myself as an advisor, helping people see the world differently to unlock their potential.”

Transferrable Skills from their PharmD degree:

• Educational content development

• Strategic problem solving

• Project management

• Client relationship building

Crafting Quality in an Unexpected Field ⚾️

​Dr. Lourdes Peralta​

While maintaining her pharmacy career, Dr. Peralta found a brilliant way to apply pharmacy’s precision to an entirely different field: crafting premium leather baseball and softball gloves. Her company, Peralta Custom Gloves, brings pharmacy-grade attention to detail to sports equipment manufacturing.

Her story shows how the meticulous quality control we learn in pharmacy can elevate any industry. The same skills that ensure medication safety now ensure perfect stitching and optimal performance in every glove.

Transferrable Skills from their PharmD degree:

• Attention to detail

• Quality control expertise

• Customer service excellence

• Process optimization

Taking PharmD Skills to New Heights ✈️

​Alexander Garrard​

What does pharmacy have to do with flying planes? More than you might think. For these PharmDs, the precision, protocol adherence, and quick decision-making skills honed in pharmacy translated perfectly to the cockpit.

Alexander, now a First Officer at SkyWest Airlines after accumulating 1,500 hours of flight time, puts it perfectly: “While I still have a passion for healthcare and toxicology, I’m happiest flying in the friendly skies.” Meanwhile, Rich is documenting his 2-4 year journey from pharmacist to charter pilot, showing others how to navigate this unique transition.

Transferrable Skills from his PharmD degree:

• Protocol adherence

• Safety-first mindset

• Quick decision-making

• Precise documentation

Creating Your Own Innovation Story 🌟

Looking across these ten remarkable stories, one thing becomes clear: your PharmD degree has equipped you with far more than clinical knowledge. It’s given you a powerful set of transferable skills that can create impact in countless ways. So get excited to use them in a way unique to you.

Key Takeaways from Our Innovators:

1. Your PharmD Skills Are More Versatile Than You Think Whether it’s attention to detail helping craft baseball gloves or protocol adherence enabling safe flights, pharmacy skills can transform any industry.

2. Innovation Comes in Many Forms You don’t have to leave pharmacy to innovate. From Dr. Blystone’s remote care model to Dr. Quinn’s pediatric practice, there are countless ways to create change from within.

3. Change Can Be Gradual Many of our featured pharmacists maintained their pharmacy roles while building something new. Dr. Peralta still practices pharmacy while running her glove company. Dr. Mennuti combines clinical practice with filmmaking. Most change takes time. And the bigger the change from your current role the more time it’ll take. Buckle up and give yourself a long timeline.

4. Your Background Is an Asset, Not a Limitation Each of our innovators used their pharmacy background as a foundation for something new. They didn’t run from their pharmacy experience – they built upon it.

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Your Turn: Taking the First Step 👊

Feeling inspired? Good. Now let’s kick you into action so you’re not just reading a heart-warming email….you’re going to start building this for yourself.

Here’s how to start your own innovation journey:

1. Identify Your Transferable Skills • What do you do exceptionally well in your current role? • Which skills energize you the most? • What unique combinations of abilities do you possess?

2. Explore Your Interests • What problems do you want to solve? • Which industries intrigue you? • What kind of impact do you want to make?

3. Start Small • Begin experimenting while maintaining your current role • Document your journey • Connect with others who inspire you or are just interesting to you (Hint: I included all of these innovators LinkedIn profiles in their feature. Click on them and connect right now. I’m making this as easy for you as possible!)

Stay curious and keep innovating

Jamie

If you enjoyed this email there are a few ways I can help you:

1. [NEW!] 🚀 Feeling stuck and want help quickly? Let's talk 1:1 about your career path. My PharmD Pathfinder Session gives you personalized direction without an expensive or long-term coaching commitment. Limited spots available. Hit reply and say Pathfinder to learn more.
2. Join our priority list for the upcoming comprehensive guide to leveraging your PharmD degree in unexpected ways. We'll be diving deeper into these innovation pathways and providing practical steps for your own transition journey. (Ha! I know the link above re-directs to an unrelated page, but it tells me that you clicked which is all I need to register your interest. Give me a break. I'm still figuring out to work this out)
3. Want to connect with any of our featured innovators? Reply to this email for introduction opportunities.

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In Case You Missed Last Week's Popular Article:

​Transferrable Skills That Open Any Door 🔑: Your PharmD as a Secret Weapon​
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