VSHP Membership Spotlight
Sarah Wheeler
What initially motivated you to join VSHP?
I’ve always found that joining state and local pharmacy organizations is a great way to network, keep up to date with practice advancements, and learn from my peers. I joined VSHP when I first moved (back) to Virginia as a pharmacist.
Where did you go to pharmacy school?
The Ohio State University College of Pharmacy
Where have you trained or worked?
I completed a PGY1 pharmacy residency at Cleveland Clinic Akron General, and a PGY2 ambulatory care residency at Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin. My first post-residency position was as a Clinical Pharmacy Specialist at VCU Health in the Adult Cystic Fibrosis and Anticoagulation clinics.
Describe your current area of practice and practice setting:
I now work as an Assistant Professor of Pharmacy Practice at Shenandoah University. My position is co-funded by Valley Health, and my clinical practice sites are the Page Memorial Hospital primary care clinics, which are designated as Rural Health Clinics. I primarily manage diabetes and hypertension. Because of our remote location, my patients may struggle to seek specialty care, so I often get asked to provide recommendations in challenging situations for other therapeutic areas which keeps me on my toes!
What advice would you give to student pharmacists?
Pick a pharmacy organization and get involved. Don’t JUST join. Attend conferences. Get involved in a committee. Talk to students at other chapters. Volunteer at patient care events. I found as a student that in the middle of the semester it was common to feel overwhelmed with exams and learning new material, and going to a conference or volunteering helped refresh me and reminded me of the reason I started training to become a pharmacist. I can say I know pharmacists in almost every state because of my involvement with pharmacy organizations as a student and early in my career.
Do you have any special interests or hobbies outside of work?
My husband and I adopted our first puppy last year, and since then my biggest hobby has been training her and doing different dog activities. We taught her scent work, and she can now very reliably find a single drop of birch oil hidden in the house or in our yard. So, if anyone ever misplaces their birch beer, we’ve got your back.
What is your favorite place to vacation?
I don’t have a regular vacation spot, but my goal is to visit every national park in my lifetime. One of my favorites has been Zion, and I’m excited to continue to explore the parks in the southwest US.
