Heather Howell

Reasons for selecting pharmacy: 

Having a passion for biology and chemistry, I knew I wanted to pursue a career in health care that combined both sciences, and also impacted patients. After learning the large role pharmacists play in patient therapy and witnessing the collaboration between physicians and pharmacists, I knew this was the role I wanted to pursue. Advancing in my pharmacy career, the profession has become more and more fascinating to me, seeing the level of education we receive besides knowing the “Top 200 drugs” and seeing the specialty roles pharmacists hold in healthcare. Liking to think on top of my feet and tackle complex, multi-factorial conditions, I have been inspired to continue my pharmacy journey in ICUs and EDs, where our interventions are valuable to the immediate survival and acute care of the patient. 

Professional Interests:

• Critical Care
• Emergency Medicine
• Academia 

Interest in the PSF Executive Committee: 

After serving in the Student Society PSF the past two years, I have had the pleasure of networking with student pharmacists over the nation, discussing common challenges among our students, and brainstorming solutions to best help ASHP student pharmacist members. I am excited to sit on the PSF Executive Committee to further discuss student challenges and solutions across all work groups and work to develop easily accessible resources for students across all forums.

How being a member of ASHP has assisted in my personal and professional development: 

Being an ASHP member has given me a support system across the nation to foster my professional development through pharmacy school. The tools ASHP provides to students like the CV review and mentor match program have helped me ask questions and advice to current practitioners as well as help strategize and prioritize my involvement and academics in my final years of pharmacy school. Entering APPEs, my professional identity is SHAKING, but my ASHP mentor has been wonderful in reassuring me that I am capable and will do great on rotations. Personally, I’ve met so many students across the nation who share common goals with me and truly want to make a different in the profession that continue to inspire me! 

Goals for the year as a PSFEC Member:

• Foster active communication with students through the ASHP Connect platform
• Produce valuable tools for SSHP chapters and students 
• Grow the professional development of pharmacy students 
• Coordinate more podcasts and social media takeovers by our PSF members
• Increase participation in PAI initiatives across the nation 

Fun Fact: 

I lived in the same city as Oprah and Prince Harry and Meghan!