Rebecca Szymanski

Her Story
Dr. Szymanski obtained her BS in Pharmacy and PharmD from the University of Minnesota College of Pharmacy in 1993 and 1994 respectively. She then completed a unique 2-year residency/fellowship program in Critical Care/Infectious diseases with the University of Minnesota and St. Paul- Ramsey Medical Center (now Regions Medical Center). She is Board Certified in Pharmacotherapy and has completed the ASHP Pharmacy Leadership Academy.

Dr. Szymanski is currently a clinical pharmacy manager and PGY1 pharmacy residency program director. Her practice site is a 457 bed community teaching hospital. She precepts students from Wingate University School of Pharmacy and High Point University College of Pharmacy.

Facility
Atrium Health Cabarrus is a 457-bed level 3 trauma center. It is part of Advocate Health which is one of the largest health systems in the country.

Recent Significant Projects
Dr. Szymanski is highly involved in standardization and integration of pharmacy services across her health-care system. Additionally, in the past year she has been instrumental in facilitating the growth of a discharge medication reconciliation review by pharmacists across all the regional facilities of her health-system. 

Involvement in ASHP
Dr. Szymanski is a regular poster mentor at the Midyear clinical meeting and is a member of the Section of Pharmacy Practice Leaders (SPPL) Advisory Group on Value, Quality, and Compliance.

Why did you become involved in ASHP?
It is vital to be involved in organizations that support our profession. Health care is constantly changing, and the role of pharmacists and the practice of pharmacy is always evolving, and I want to be a part of the leadership that guides and supports our profession.

Advice for Someone New to Specialty Area 
I think that pharmacy leaders should still maintain an active practice so that they fully understand what the front-line staff is going through. I never ask a pharmacist to do something that I can't do myself. Additionally, at the end of the day regardless of title we are all pharmacists, and our primary function is to provide optimal medication therapy plans that our patients can adhere to and obtain. 

How would you explain the value of ASHP to a friend or colleague?
ASHP provides so many resources that I need to do my job. If you are involved in residency training, ASHP is a must! Additionally, professional networking is vital to your career and professional development.

What is the value of ASHP for the profession?
ASHP has a very strong lobbying force and promotes best practices in pharmacy practice. ASHP and all the guidance documents will help you ensure that your health-system pharmacy and pharmacy practice is current and using best practices.