Crystal Deas

Her Story

Dr. Crystal Deas is an associate professor of pharmacy practice at Samford’s University, McWhorter School of Pharmacy. Dr. Deas received her Pharm.D. from Xavier University of Louisiana College of Pharmacy in 2008. She went on to complete a PGY-1 Pharmacy Practice Residency, with an emphasis in ambulatory care, at Grady Health System in Atlanta, Georgia. Dr. Deas became board certified in Pharmacotherapy in 2009. She has held a prior academic appointment at Harding University College of Pharmacy between 2009-2012 where she developed an ambulatory care practice at a rural health clinic. She went on to serve in Clinical Pharmacy Specialist roles within the VA Healthcare System in outpatient anticoagulation therapy management, home–based primary care, and geriatrics and extended care.

Dr. Deas joined the faculty at Samford in 2016 and is currently an associate professor of pharmacy practice. She is responsible for teaching within the didactic and experiential PharmD curriculum and serves as preceptor to fourth-year pharmacy students on her ambulatory care APPE experience. Additionally, she serves as a program preceptor for PGY-2 ambulatory care residents, offering a longitudinal diabetes management rotation at her clinic.  Dr. Deas also developed the ambulatory care clinical pharmacy service at Cooper Green Mercy Health Services Authority. Her interests include diabetes and cardiovascular risk reduction, health education of patients with limited health literacy, and teaching pharmacy students and resident trainees. 

Describe the facility where you work (eg. Is it a teaching hospital? Health Center? 

Cooper Green Mercy Health Services Authority is a publicly funded urban ambulatory care center, serving all residents of Jefferson County, Alabama - regardless of their ability to pay. The facility is an affiliate of UAB Health System and provides both primary, specialty, and ancillary (e.g. pharmacy, laboratory) care to an adult medicine population.

Recent Significant Projects

Dr. Deas recently piloted a new service at her practice site with the implementation of Medicare Annual Wellness Visits, performed in collaboration with Medicine at the facility. Additionally, she has been involved in projects increasing clinical pharmacy's involvement in diabetes management and polypharmacy medication reviews and consults.

Initial Involvement in ASHP

Dr. Deas was appointed as a member of the Section of Ambulatory Care Practitioners SAG on  Medication Management Services and has also participated in ASHP virtual roundtables.

Why did you become involved in ASHP? 

Dr. Deas became involved in ASHP to serve within an organization whose focus is supporting the profession's efforts to advance patient care and improve public health. Her involvement has opened doors to form new professional networks and has provided opportunities for career development and enhanced leadership development.

Advice for Someone New to Specialty Area 

Relationships are key to successful practice and to ensure continued professional development! Do not neglect the opportunities to develop key relationships within your practice. A quote that I am sure we've all heard at some point in life is "every man is my teacher." I cannot recount the numerous times where my patients, fellow clinicians and pharmacist colleagues, clerical staff, and students have provided insight that contributed immensely to my development, both personally and professionally. Relationships can help open doors to new opportunities in different specialties; thus, always be willing to cultivate new connections.

How would you explain the value of ASHP to a friend or colleague?

ASHP fosters key connections that are invaluable for pharmacy practice. COVID-19 ushered in unprecedented challenges. Virtual roundtable discussions and resources like ASHP Connect have been immensely helpful in keeping an open dialogue and providing a forum for real-time dissemination of practice pearls.

What is the value of ASHP for the profession?

The work of ASHP supports the advancement of the pharmacy profession and showcases the value that pharmacists, technicians, and pharmacy extenders add to the healthcare team.