Kaiser Permanente (New Carrolton, MD)

Hi Everyone!

My third APPE rotation was a remote rotation with Kaiser Permanente (KP) in New Carrolton, MD. This was an administrative rotation that was originally supposed to be in-person but became fully remote due to COVID policies. My preceptor was not only the residency director at the KP Mid-Atlantic States division, but she was also a member of the Maryland Board of Pharmacy. This was an incredible experience in understanding both how large-scale hospital system pharmacies function, but also to see growing trends and thoughts on the advancement of Pharmacy.

This rotation was almost entirely presentation and project-based. I presented to NAPLEX-review style presentations and sat in on weekly pharmacy resident topic discussions. I also had the opportunity to investigate hospital readmission rates in heart failure patients, and present ideas on how to lower these statistics. Additionally, I helped develop a resiliency program for the KP pharmacy residents as well as develop a drug class review on bisphosphonates.

I also had the unique opportunity to sit in on several Maryland Board of Pharmacy meetings! This was such an insightful experience. I learned of rising concerns in the field of pharmacy as well heard others explain their reasonings and concerns for policy changes that were beginning to affect the field of pharmacy in other states. Being able to attend these meetings made me realize that there is a significant scope of practice for pharmacists and an even greater scope for growth. I am very excited to see what is in store for the future of pharmacy.

Divya Ambu