Tyler Clay

Tyler’s Story

Tyler B Clay, Pharm.D., BCPS, earned his doctor of pharmacy degree from Marshall University School of Pharmacy in 2017. Following graduation, he went on to complete a PGY1 pharmacy residency at King's Daughters Medical Center in Ashland, Kentucky. Thereafter, Dr. Clay returned to his alma mater as a Clinical Assistant Professor sharing his time between Marshall University School of Pharmacy and St. Mary’s Medical Center in Huntington, WV working as a Clinical Pharmacy Specialist in Internal Medicine. Dr. Clay is also a Board Certified Pharmacotherapy Specialist.

Overview of Facility/Health System

Marshall University School of Pharmacy (MUSOP) is an institution of higher learning located in Huntington, WV. At MUSOP Dr. Clay currently teaches in Infectious Disease and Cardiology therapeutics courses, serves as the faculty advisor for the Pre-Pharmacy club, and sits on various university and school committees. At his practice site, a 393-bed academic medical center, Dr. Clay precepts PGY1 pharmacy residents as well as fourth year Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience (APPE) students. In addition to precepting, Dr. Clay rounds with the Marshall University Internal Medicine teaching teams providing his pharmacotherepeutic expertise.

Significant Projects

While Dr. Clay is still early in his career, he has been involved in several projects at MUSOP and St. Mary's Medical Center. Dr. Clay is the founder of the Marshall University High School Educational Resource Development (HERD) Program that works with local high schools to engage prospective students into the pharmacy profession. Dr. Clay also founded the MUSOP / SMMC Scholars Program which enrolls two students per academic year in a structured APPE series to help advance their clinical skills and prepare them for PGY-1 residency. Clinical projects include cost reduction efforts related to medication delivery and improved patient outcomes, including his most recent project related to emergency anticoagulation reversal.

Initial Involvement in ASHP

Dr. Clay has been a member of ASHP since his entry into the profession and is currently serving as a member of the Section of Inpatient Care Practitioners Advisory Group on Pharmacy Practice Experiences Precepting (PPEP). Dr. Clay also served as a reviewer of the most recent ASHP Guidelines on Medication Use Evaluation (MUE).

Why did you become involved in ASHP?

Dr. Clay first became involved with ASHP when he was elected as the fundraising chair of MUSOP's SSHP chapter in his P1 year as a way to become involved with the profession and gain experience working with local hospital leaders. He later served as Social Media Chair of his schools SSHP chapter piloting student and community outreach utilizing social media platforms.

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

ASHP has numerous benefits to your professional career. ASHP works to develop high quality professional development materials related to board certification and continuing education. Additionally, ASHP Connect provides an extensive online network for health-care providers to interact, share resources, and ask questions to colleges across the country.

Advice for Someone New to Your Specialty Area

Get involved! Involvement in local, state, and national organizations provides immense opportunities for growth, networking, and career development. Additionally, involvement in hospital committees is an excellent way to meet professionals outside of your profession and help identify areas for improvement in patient care.

What is the value of ASHP for the profession?

ASHP plays a key role in advocacy for the profession, accreditating pharmacy residences, and development of practice guidelines to advance patient care. ASHP also serves as the voice for health-system pharmacists on a local, state, and national level, providing support for legislation related to the advancement the profession of pharmacy.