Meredith Blalock

Blalock graduated from Mercer University in 2012 with a Doctor of Pharmacy. She then completed a PGY1 residency at Carl Vinson VA Medical Center in Dublin, Georgia. After her residency, Blalock was hired to serve as a clinical pharmacist practitioner in the Mental Health Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Program (MHRRTP) at the Carl Vinson VA Medical Center. In this role, she primarily treated hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and diabetes. The MHRRTP is designed to help veterans dealing with substance use disorder, chronic homelessness, and post-traumatic stress disorder. It was during her time at the MHRRTP that Blalock discovered a significant gap in mental health care. Committed to addressing this need, she devoted herself to studying and expanding her knowledge in psychiatry while also optimizing treatment for primary care disorders. In her spare time, she prepared for the psychiatric pharmacist, geriatric pharmacist and pharmacotherapy certifications and successfully became board certified in all areas. Blalock realized that veterans needed more mental health care providers. Recognizing this need, she was instrumental in starting a PGY2 psychiatric residency program. This remains as the only ASHP accredited PGY2 psychiatric program in the state of Georgia. Her dedication and ongoing efforts have significantly contributed to improving mental health care for veterans and addressing the critical need for more mental health practitioners.

Facility:
Blalock works at the Carl Vinson VA Medical Centerin Dublin. The VA Dublin Healthcare System offers comprehensive health care services across six locations in central and southern Georgia. The VA Dublin Healthcare System provides the following services for veterans: primary care services ,women’s health clinic,treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD),substance abuse treatment, andadomiciliary unit for veterans who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.

Current Responsibilities:
I work with pharmacy students and residents. I am the RPD for the PGY2 psychiatric residency program. I also teach PA students.

Recent Significant Projects:
I helped create the PGY2 psychiatric pharmacy residency here. I also helped to start an ambulatory detox program for alcohol, a suboxone clinic and a clozapine clinic.

Advice for Someone New to a Specialty Area: 
I would tell a new psychiatric pharmacist to never stop learning, embrace new challenges, get involved in organizations and don't be afraid to make mistakes. Also, understand that some patients may not get better, but this is not your fault.

Involvement with ASHP: 
I currently serve on the clinical specialists and sciences forum, and I work on podcasts and advocacy projects.

Reason for ASHP involvement:
I wanted a way to network with other professionals and grow as a pharmacist.

Value of ASHP for Peers or Colleagues:
ASHP is an incredible organization that offers so many opportunities to get involved and positively impact the world of pharmacy. It will help you in so many ways including to study for board certification.

Value of ASHP for the Profession: 
I believe that ASHP provides so many learning opportunities and ways to get involved and improve our field ASHP plays a pivotal role in promoting and enhancing the pharmacy profession.