Testimonial
I’d be hard pressed to think of a professional experience that has impacted my story more than my time as a Pediatric Pulmonary Center trainee. I can’t highly recommend the traineeship enough for future practitioners who are interested in team-based, family-centered pediatric healthcare. The PPC is an uncommon model, but the pharmacist’s role at the University of Arizona PPC is particularly unique. The pharmacist being integrated throughout all of the PPC clinics has allowed me to gain experience in a variety of settings with the pediatric population. Moreover, working with actual patients has increased my depth and breadth of knowledge in a way that classroom learning simply can’t. The project work and supplemental learning opportunities have increased my ability to time-manage and work cooperatively with other trainees. The longitudinal nature of the traineeship not only has allowed for continued learning, but also continued mentoring. The faculty have provided valuable career advice and I count them as some of the most influential professionals I’ve encountered during my training. Additionally, I’ve been able to build relationships with other trainees and share my experiences to help them; the layered learning model is integral to the PPC traineeship and this is of great benefit to all involved. The PPC team creates a welcoming atmosphere and is actively vigilant for teachable opportunities. Everyone is eminently invested in the development of the next generation of clinicians, as evidenced by their willingness to mentor each trainee, even those who fall outside their discipline. The family-centered approach to care and other foundational principles are reliably practiced, and I never cease to be impressed at how patients’ and families’ health improves as they receive care at the PPC. The clinicians are all experts in their respective fields, and have a never-ending supply of clinical pearls always at the ready. The opportunity to interact with patients and their families has been an honor, a privilege, and a blessing; the resilience of these truly wonderful people in the face of incredibly trying circumstances is admirable and inspiring. Classroom learning requires that you focus on the patient who has the disease, but interacting with the family members in clinic has demonstrated the paramount importance of treating the entire family. While the knowledge I’ve gained and mentorship I’ve received as a trainee have been invaluable, the chances I’ve had to impact the stories of these patients and their families are the experiences that will continue to influence and inform my practice throughout the rest of my career.