Molly Howard

Her Story

Dr. Howard received her PharmD from the Creighton University School of Pharmacy and Health Professions in 2013. She went on to complete her PGY1 at the Durham VA Medical Center in Durham, NC, and a PGY2 in Ambulatory Care at the University of North Carolina Medical Center in Chapel Hill, NC. She became board certified in Pharmacotherapy in 2015 and in Ambulatory Care in 2017. She served as a Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT) Clinical Pharmacy Specialist at the Central Alabama Veterans Health Care System (CAVHCS) for five years before recently transitioning into a PACT role within the VA VISN 7 Clinical Resource Hub. She served as the CAVHCS PGY1 Pharmacy Residency Program Coordinator from 2015-2019 and Program Director in 2020. Her interests include cardiovascular risk reduction, chronic pain management, and the teaching and mentoring of pharmacy learners.

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

The Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) 7 Clinical Resource Hub services the VA facilities within the VA Southeast Region to care for Veterans in the areas of greatest need. The hub site team provides care to Veterans at their local VA health care facilities, or spoke sites, through telehealth technology or in-person visits.

Recent Significant Projects

Dr. Howard has recently coordinated a Provider Best Practices presentation series with the mission of sharing knowledge from high performing providers within the VA VISN 7 to others that would benefit. Additionally, she has been involved in projects increasing pharmacist involvement in transitions of care, chronic pain management, and polypharmacy medication reviews. She has been working with the ASHP Pain Management and Palliative Care Section Advisory Group on an article describing the role of pharmacists in pain management.

Initial Involvement in ASHP

Dr. Howard is currently the past chair of the Pain Management and Palliative Care Section Advisory Group (SAG) within the Section of Ambulatory Care Practitioners, having served on the committee since 2015. She has participated in roundtables, webinars, and podcasts as part of the SAG She has also consistently served as a CV reviewer for ASHP's CV review program.

Why did you become involved in ASHP?

Dr. Howard became involved in ASHP in order to assist in ASHP's mission to advance the pharmacy profession. Additionally, she was looking for opportunities to network with other practitioners, and gain opportunities for leadership, education, training, and research.

Advice for Someone New to Specialty Area

Always strive to provide patient-centered care. Getting a patient's buy-in and input in your plan is essential to success. Professionally, get involved and network! Don't underestimate the value of your mentors in your professional development. Don't be afraid to reach out to others to learn about their practice and careers. Experts within a certain specialty are often developed after having the courage to say "yes" to an opportunity or challenge and wanting to advance your knowledge and skills.

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

ASHP provides excellent opportunities for continuing education, networking, and collaboration of pharmacists across the country.

What is the value of ASHP for the profession?

ASHP advocates for the profession of pharmacy and its pharmacists and technicians with a focus on education and training.