On Career-Building, Faith, Self-Care and Finding Fulfillment in Pharmacy
Want to excel in pharmacy, lead with impact, and find true career fulfillment?In this episode, I sit down with Scott Stewart, a pharmacist, Vice President of Clinical Services at PharmCareUSA, and motivational speaker, to explore how initiative, leadership, and faith have shaped his career in long-term care pharmacy.We cover:* What long-term care pharmacists do and how they improve patient outcomes* How to build stronger relationships with doctors and healthcare teams* Why initiative—not chance—creates career opportunities* The power of faith and self-reflection in navigating setbacks* How pharmacists can go beyond dispensing to create lasting impact* Finding fulfillment by pursuing side gigs and creative passionsIf you’re looking for real talk, career inspiration, and practical insights on excelling in pharmacy and beyond, this episode is for you!Resources:* Watch the interview on YouTube here* Connect with Scott on LinkedIn * Reach out About me:* 👉 Visit www.apma.website to learn how I teach pharmacists the role of genetic variations in medication response inside the Australasian Precision Medicine Academy.* 👉 Visit www.katrinaazer.com to find out more about my services.* Follow me on social media:➡️ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katrina-azer/➡️ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/katrina.azer/The PharmXcel Podcast is a show for pharmacists who want to connect with their career purpose and learn how to build a fulfilling career by addressing the opportunities and challenges that make us pharmacists—Pharmacists who signed up for pharmacy to help transform patient lives!Thanks for listening in—it means the world to me!Here is how you can support my mission:* Give it a 5-star rating wherever you’re listening to it* Share this with other Pharmacists who would enjoy it* Subscribe to get notified of new episodesAnd please reach out if you have any questions or comments!Your feedback will help me bring you valuable contentListen to this podcast on:Spotify:Apple Podcasts: This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thepharmxcelblog.substack.com
--------
51:39
Pharmacogenomics in Pharmacy: How Dr. Josiah Allen is Leading the Future of Precision Medicine
Want to break into pharmacogenomics and precision medicine?In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Josiah Allen, a precision medicine pharmacist with nearly 20 years of experience in genomics, psychiatry, and clinical research. We explore how pharmacogenomics is revolutionizing patient care, prescribing, and the role of pharmacists in the future of medicine.We cover:* How Josiah transitioned from industry to clinical practice in pharmacogenomics* The multidisciplinary approach to precision medicine at St. Elizabeth Healthcare* Why pharmacists are the ideal leaders in pharmacogenomics* The future of personalized medicine and emerging fields beyond PGx* How to successfully implement pharmacogenomics in a healthcare setting* The importance of patient empowerment, education, and shared decision-makingIf you're a pharmacist looking to future-proof your career and expand into precision medicine, this episode is a must-listen!Join the ElevateRx Pharmacogenomics Summit to learn how to bring Pharmacogenomics to your practice - https://elevaterx.live/* Follow Dr Josiah Allen on LinkedIn* About me:👉 Visit www.apma.website to learn how I teach pharmacists the role of genes in medication response inside the Australasian Precision Medicine Academy.👉 Visit www.katrinaazer.com to find out more about my services.* Follow me on social media:➡️ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katrina-azer/➡️ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/katrina.azer/The PharmXcel Podcast is a show for pharmacists who want to connect with their career purpose and learn how to build a fulfilling career by addressing the opportunities and challenges that make us pharmacists—Pharmacists who signed up for pharmacy to help transform patient lives!Thanks for listening in—it means the world to me!Here is how you can support my mission:* Give it a 5-star rating wherever you’re listening to it* Share this with other Pharmacists who would enjoy it* Subscribe to get notified of new episodesAnd please reach out if you have any questions or comments!Your feedback will help me bring you valuable contentListen to this podcast on:Spotify URL: Apple URL: This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thepharmxcelblog.substack.com
--------
24:18
You Need This Tool In Your Practice
In this episode, I have a chat with Kristine Ashcraft and Burns Blaxall about how precision-based prescribing is an essential tool for every pharmacist to adopt with urgency—we talk about:* Pharmacogenomics is a simple way to improve patient outcomes – If you think pharmacogenomics (PGx) is too complex? It’s actually just another tool to help you do what you already do—optimize medications for better patient outcomes. Dr. Burns Blaxall breaks it down in a way that makes sense for everyday pharmacy practice.* Real-World proof: better outcomes, fewer medication failures – Studies show that PGx can reduce adverse drug events by 30% and prevent unnecessary ER visits and hospitalizations. If you’ve ever wished for a way to make sure a medication works before a patient even takes the first dose, this is it.* Making PGx work in your practice (don’t let perfection be the enemy of the good) – The biggest roadblocks to using PGx? Lack of awareness, integration challenges, and concerns about reimbursement. But here’s the good news—pharmacists don’t have to wait for a perfect system to start making an impact. Small steps can lead to big results.* Strengthening your role as a healthcare provider – PGx is a powerful way to elevate your role in patient care and get recognized as a key decision-maker in medication management. Building strong relationships with physicians and demonstrating your value in clinical decisions can open new doors for your career.Success Stories that show PGx in action – Imagine stopping a patient from undergoing an unnecessary, high-risk procedure—just by using PGx testing. That’s exactly what happened in one case shared in this episode. If you’ve ever felt stuck in the cycle of dispensing and reacting to medication failures, PGx offers a proactive way to make a real difference.Join the ElevateRx Pharmacogenomics Summit to learn how to bring Pharmacogenomics to your practice - https://elevaterx.live/* Follow Kristine Ashcraft on LinkedIn* Follow Burns Blaxall on LinkedIn* About me:👉 Visit www.apma.website to learn how I teach pharmacists the role of genes in medication response inside the Australasian Precision Medicine Academy.👉 Visit www.katrinaazer.com to find out more about my services.* Follow me on social media:➡️ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katrina-azer/➡️ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/katrina.azer/The PharmXcel Podcast is a show for pharmacists who want to connect with their career purpose and learn how to build a fulfilling career by addressing the opportunities and challenges that make us pharmacists—Pharmacists who signed up for pharmacy to help transform patient lives!Thanks for listening in—it means the world to me!Here is how you can support my mission:* Give it a 5-star rating wherever you’re listening to it* Share this with other Pharmacists who would enjoy it* Subscribe to get notified of new episodesAnd please reach out if you have any questions or comments!Your feedback will help me bring you valuable contentListen to this podcast on:Spotify:Apple Podcasts: This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thepharmxcelblog.substack.com
--------
31:21
How to Become a Sports Pharmacist & Build a Career You Love
Want to break into sports pharmacy or design a career that truly excites you? In this episode, I sit down with Jessica, a sports pharmacist, consultant, and health content creator, to discuss how curiosity and strategic action unlocked her career potential.We cover:* What a sports pharmacist actually does and how they support athletes* How to become a sports pharmacy consultant (even if you’re starting from scratch)* Why community pharmacists can serve as ‘sports pharmacy hubs’ for athletes* The #1 strategy to attract clients and grow your business* How social media can open doors in pharmacy and sports medicine* Overcoming fear and building a career by designResources:* Watch the interview on YouTube here* Connect with Jessica on LinkedIn* FIP: Sports pharmacy practice and education: A global overview* International Sports Pharmacists Network has links and educational resources for specific countries* U.S. Sports Pharmacy Group * Anti-Doping Educational Resources About me:👉 Visit www.apma.website to learn how I teach pharmacists the role of genes in medication response inside the Australasian Precision Medicine Academy.👉 Visit www.katrinaazer.com to find out more about my services.Follow me on social media:➡️ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katrina-azer/➡️ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/katrina.azer/The PharmXcel Podcast is a show for pharmacists who want to connect with their career purpose and learn how to build a fulfilling career by addressing the opportunities and challenges that make us pharmacists—Pharmacists who signed up for pharmacy to help transform patient lives!Thanks for listening in—it means the world to me!Here is how you can support my mission:* Give it a 5-star rating wherever you’re listening to it* Share this with other Pharmacists who would enjoy it* Subscribe to get notified of new episodesAnd please reach out if you have any questions or comments!Your feedback will help me bring you valuable contentListen to this podcast on:Spotify URL:Apple Podcasts URL: This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thepharmxcelblog.substack.com
--------
34:50
Goal-ing Nowhere in 2025? Troubleshoot Your Way to Success
In this episode:* A Goal Setting Framework for Pharmacists - learn how a structured approach to goal-setting helped me become an internationally recognized pharmacy writer and Pharmacogenomics Academy founder.* Discover why using a physical diary proves more effective than phone apps for goal tracking, eliminating digital distractions and enhancing focus.* 5-Category Goal System - Master a comprehensive goal-setting approach that ensures balanced personal and professional development.* Quarterly Goal Breakdown Strategy - transform large objectives into manageable quarterly targets, perfect for implementing new pharmacy services like Pharmacogenomics testing or clinical programs.* Weekly and Daily Accountability System - Implement effective progress tracking through weekly reviews and daily morning manifestos, ensuring consistent goal alignment and achievement.Resources* Download the Goal Setting Toolkit here.* Subscribe to my YouTube channel and watch the episode here.* Stay in the know about the future of pharmacy! Sign up for exclusive updates on ElevateRx, a must-attend to elevate patient care in 2025. Join the list here.* Book - Atomic Habits by James Clear👉 Visit www.apma.website to learn how I teach pharmacists the role of genes in medication response inside the Australasian Precision Medicine Academy.👉 Visit www.katrinaazer.com to find out more about my services.Follow me on social media:➡️ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katrina-azer/➡️ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pharmxcelThe PharmXcel Podcast is a show for pharmacists who want to connect with their career purpose and learn how to build a fulfilling career by addressing the opportunities and challenges that make us pharmacists—Pharmacists who signed up for pharmacy to help transform patient lives!Thanks for listening in—it means the world to me!Here is how you can support my mission:* Give it a 5-star rating wherever you’re listening to it* Share this with other Pharmacists who would enjoy it* Subscribe to get notified of new episodesAnd please reach out if you have any questions or comments!Your feedback will help me bring you valuable contentListen to this podcast on:Spotify URL:Apple URL: This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thepharmxcelblog.substack.com
Unlocking Excellence in Pharmacy - One Insight At a Time
I'm Katrina Azer, an ordinary pharmacist with an extraordinary passion to inspire other pharmacists and on this show, I want to help pharmacists unlock their full potential in whatever setting they practice in.
This show will take a deep dive into what makes us flourish as pharmacists, and the challenges that get in the way of us optimizing for a wealthy life beyond money, a life that provides real career fulfillment.
I'm thrilled to share my ups and downs with you and take you on this transformative journey that will uncover and discuss every aspect of a PharmD's lifestyle and career - I'll bring you career and global pharmacy practice insights from digital health to pharmacogenomics and beyond.
Stay tuned for the weekly PharmXcel Podcast!
Visit www.katrinaazer.com to learn more about me. thepharmxcelblog.substack.com
New Zealand