Cam-Tu Nguyen

Cam-Tu's Story

Dr. Cam-Tu Nguyen, Pharm.D., BCPS, received her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Florida in Gainesville and went on to complete a one-year pharmacy practice residency at Inova Alexandria Hospital. Currently Cam-Tu practices as an internal medicine clinical pharmacist at UF Health Jacksonville and serves on the clinical practice council, the product evaluation and selection committee, and the inpatient process improvement committee. Throughout her career Cam-Tu has developed a strong interest in teaching, expanding clinical pharmacy services, and community service both locally and internationally.

Cam-Tu is currently involved with the Section of Inpatient Care Practitioners (SICP) Advisory Group on Pharmacy Practice Experiences (PPE). Cam-Tu has been a member of ASHP since her second year of pharmacy school and has also been an active member of the Florida Society of Health-System Pharmacists (FSHP).

Overview of Facility/Health System

University of Florida Health Jacksonville is an academic medical center affiliated with the University of Florida Health Science Center. UF Health Jacksonville is a 695-bed facility located near downtown Jacksonville and is the largest UF campus outside of Gainesville. The pharmacy department at UF Health Jacksonville provides services in a wide continuum of settings including acute care, ambulatory care, drug information, and clinical research.

Significant Projects

Cam-Tu is currently in involved in multiple projects expanding pharmacy services at UF Health Jacksonville. Her most recent project promotes pharmacist evaluation of emergency department (ED) patients diagnosed with acute venous thromboembolism for eligibility of immediate discharge with a novel oral anticoagulant. This project has increased collaboration between ED and internal medicine pharmacists, ED providers, and case managers to reduce hospital admissions, decrease medication error rates, and improve transitions of care.

In addition to this most recent project Cam-Tu has also worked closely with the nephrology department to implement new workflow to improve transitions of care for hemodialysis patients being discharged with long term antibiotics. Outside of her professional projects Cam-Tu also remain actively involved with a medical mission trip to provide pharmacy services such as formulary management, medication procurement, and developing criteria for therapeutic interchanges.

Initial Involvement in ASHP

"I initially joined ASHP during pharmacy school to gain more information about pharmacy residency programs and post-graduate programs. Once I became a member I found that ASHP provided a great space for the profession to come together, share ideas, support training programs, and forward our practice in a collaborative environment."

Advice for Someone New to Your Specialty Area

"As internal medicine pharmacists we are uniquely positioned to make a difference in our patient’s lives and our institutions. We are the pharmacists that will touch the patients as they come to the acute care setting and as they transition back into the community. We must always challenge ourselves to share our ideas, speak up about change, and be proactive in implementing new services."

Value of ASHP

"After I joined ASHP during pharmacy school I was immediately captivated by the organization’s mission, it’s collaboration with local and state health-system organizations, and ASHP’s voice in the United States Congress. ASHP is a transparent and well-respected organization both nationally and internationally that promotes progress in the practice of health-system pharmacy. I feel that my professional values and goals are supported by the work that ASHP does for my profession."

"I believe ASHP is an indispensable organization for our profession in so many ways. The organization prioritizes advocacy in both local and national government to ensure we are well represented in legislation. Additionally, ASHP supports education by assisting in the development of high-quality training programs for graduates as well providing continuing education opportunities for experienced practitioners. All these programs provided through ASHP are vital for our profession’s progress."