Rebecca Pettit

Pettit obtained her PharmD and MBA degrees from Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska. After pharmacy school, she completed a postgraduate year 1 (PGY1)residency program and a postgraduate year 2 (PGY2) pediatrics residency at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. Following residency, she started as a pediatric pulmonary clinical specialist at Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis, Indiana. In this role, she covered the inpatient pulmonary service and established pharmacy services in the ambulatory care pediatric cystic fibrosis clinic. She has since transitioned to the ambulatory care role full-time and to care for a large pediatric cystic fibrosis population. Pettit has been the director of the pediatric PGY2 residency program at Riley Hospital for Children since 2020. She is involved in pediatric pulmonary research, and she also trains pharmacy residents and students. She board certified in pharmacotherapy and pediatric pharmacotherapy.

Facility:
Riley Hospital for Children is a freestanding academic children’s hospital and part of Indiana University Health in Indianapolis. Riley is a primary pediatric referral center with a level 1 trauma center and a level 4 neonatal intensive care unit. The hospital has been ranked in 11 out of 11 pediatric specialties by US News and World Report. Riley has a large pediatric pulmonary patient population and a large pediatric cystic fibrosis center.

Current Responsibilities:
I care for patients in the pediatric cystic fibrosis clinic and work under a collaborative practice agreement in the clinic. I also serve as the pediatric PGY2 residency program director. I precept many students and PGY1 and PGY2 residents on clinical rotation in my practice area. I am also active in research and precept resident research projects on a regular basis. I also teach some guest lectures at Purdue University.

Recent Significant Projects:
One of the projects I have worked on is enhancing mental health screening in the clinic for pediatric people with cystic fibrosis on cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator modulator medications. This has allowed us to address these potential side effects in a more objective way while creating individualized plans.

Advice for Someone New to a Specialty Area:
My advice would be to get involved in projects and pharmacy organizations. The networking and learning you get from these experiences will help you in your practice.

Involvement with ASHP:
I am involved in the pediatric section advisory group. I am also involved as a guest residency surveyor.

Reason for ASHP involvement:
ASHP has provided me with opportunities to network and work with other great pharmacists from across the country. It provides an opportunity to work on projects that help impact the care of pediatric patients.

Value of ASHP for Peers or Colleagues:
ASHP is a valuable resource to keep you up to date with what is going on nationally with pharmacy. It also provides an avenue to connect with other pharmacists in your interest area.

Value of ASHP for the Profession:
ASHP is an advocate for advancing the profession of pharmacy on the national level. They also are essential to ensuring great resident programs and training pharmacists.