C. Whitney White

Her Story

Whitney White received her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from Samford University McWhorter School of Pharmacy and completed a PGY-1 Pharmacy Practice Residency at Huntsville Hospital in Huntsville, Alabama. Following residency, she joined the pharmacy faculty at Samford University and practiced in primary care with the St. Vincent’s East Family Medicine Center and internal medicine with St. Vincent’s Birmingham. After nine years on faculty at Samford, Dr. White transitioned to the University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy as a faculty member practicing in internal medicine at the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson, MS. Dr. White returned to the state of Alabama in 2019, and now works as Clinical Pharmacy Specialist and Student Experiential Coordinator at the Tuscaloosa VA Medical Center. She is also adjunct faculty with the Samford University McWhorter School of Pharmacy. Dr. White’s research and practice interests include anticoagulation, rheumatology, and nephrology.

Facility

As part of the Veterans Health Administration, the Tuscaloosa VA Medical Center is a 317-bed teaching hospital located in West Alabama which provides comprehensive primary care, long-term health care, and mental health services to eligible veterans. Outpatient services in Primary Care clinics include Women’s Health; Preservation Amputation Care and Treatment (PACT); Podiatry; Neurology; Visual Impairment Service Team (VIST); Spinal Cord Injury and Geriatric Primary Care. Additional services include Psychiatry, a Homeless Domiciliary and a Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Program. The Tuscaloosa VA serves over 15,000 veterans each year.

Recent Significant Projects

 Recently, I have worked to expand the footprint of pharmacy in our women's primary care clinic and am developing a pharmacist-led osteoporosis clinic. As the student experiential coordinator, I have worked with our preceptors and with the schools of pharmacy to expand and improve our experiential rotations so that each student receives a consistently high-level rotation that offers a variety of experiences in health-system pharmacy and patient care.

Initial Involvement in ASHP

I currently serve as a member of the ASHP Section of Inpatient Practitioners Educational Steering Committee. My past service to ASHP includes Chair and member of the Council on Education and Workforce Development. I have also served as a delegate to ASHP for the State of Alabama for two different terms.

Why did you become involved in ASHP? 

I always knew the health-system setting was where I wanted to work as a pharmacist. I became a member of ASHP as a resident and quickly got involved with my state affiliate following graduation. Fortunately, I had many colleagues and mentors who encouraged my involvement in professional organizations and supported me in pursuing leadership positions. ASHP and the state affiliates offer a wide range of opportunities to get involved based on your interests and practice area. One of the main reasons I am involved is to advocate for our patients and our profession. And connecting yourself to pharmacy colleagues across the organization helps build influence and produces a greater impact. The relationships I have made through ASHP have been invaluable.

Advice for Someone New to Specialty Area

Be innovative! Think about different ways pharmacy can contribute to patient care, and don't hesitate to think outside the box! The role of the pharmacist on patient care teams continues to evolve and expand. Be confident in the skills and training you bring to the table and look for gaps that you can fill. Also, build strong relationships with those on your team so that when you are ready to offer a new idea or implement a new service, your efforts will be well received.

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

ASHP does a great job in supporting its membership through educational and practice resources as well as forums to share information. It also provides ample opportunities to get involved and contribute your expertise in a variety of ways.

What is the value of ASHP for the profession?

ASHP continually strives to stay at the forefront of key issues that affect the pharmacy profession. Through advocacy and collaboration with other organizations, ASHP works diligently to ensure its members' opinions and values are represented. Each group working within the organization is focused not only on improving the health and well-being of patients but also supporting the needs of members through professional development, education, and resources for practice.