By Chidinma Otuechere, P3 Student
Until this summer, my only knowledge of medication access came from the pharmacy counter:
patients would come in with prescriptions that turned out to be too expensive, and pharmacists
would try to find ways around the problem. As an intern with Johns Hopkins Care at Home at
Monument Pharmacy in Baltimore, Maryland, I began to see how much more happens behind
the scenes.
One issue immediately grabbed my attention. Information about manufacturer copay
programs came from different sources, requiring pharmacists to search for the information and
keep it current. To address this issue, I created the first centralized manufacturer copay card
repository for the Johns Hopkins outpatient pharmacy network. This project involved researching program eligibility criteria, obtaining information from manufacturers, standardizing the collected data, and establishing a process for keeping it current. The resource was then made available to five outpatient pharmacies.
I also assessed medication-assistance services by examining prescription volumes, patient
reach, payer mix, and program participation rates. My findings were incorporated into a Power
BI dashboard that helped pharmacy leaders understand how the programs were being utilized
and identify opportunities for expansion. In addition, I developed educational tools and
participated in a quality improvement project aimed at standardizing the medication
reconstitution process in the outpatient setting.
One of the most valuable aspects of the internship was gaining insight into the many
career paths available after pharmacy school. Through conversations with program directors and pharmacists across different areas of practice, I learned more about fellowships, traditional
residencies, and Health-System Pharmacy Administration and Leadership residencies. These
interactions also provided practical guidance on becoming a stronger applicant and identifying
opportunities that align with my interests and long-term goals.
More significantly, the internship broadened my perspective on what is achievable within
the field of pharmacy. I realized that pharmacy offers ample opportunities for innovation,
creativity, and meaningful impact beyond conventional expectations. Although I remain open to
where my future may lead, I am confident that I am pursuing a career that will allow me to
explore those possibilities.
Some of my most memorable moments occurred outside the pharmacy. I connected with
students from other universities, built meaningful professional and personal relationships,
explored Baltimore, tried new restaurants and activities, and traveled to Washington, D.C.,
nearly every weekend. These experiences made the summer both professionally rewarding and
personally memorable.
Beyond the technical skills I gained, this internship strengthened my confidence as an
innovator and reinforced my understanding of the wide range of possibilities within pharmacy. I
formed lasting friendships with my co-interns and look forward to reconnecting with them at the
ASHP Midyear Clinical Meeting. My greatest takeaway is that meaningful opportunities often
arise when we step outside our comfort zones, remain open to new experiences, and allow
ourselves to think bigger about what is possible.
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