What does it actually take to become a Director of Pharmacy? In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Byron Alston, a Director of Pharmacy who oversees pharmacy operations across three hospital facilities of a major health system — managing everything from drug budgets and regulatory compliance to team culture and strategic planning. He ascended from staff clinical pharmacist to Director of Pharmacy in under than a decade — and obtained his Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA) along the way to sharpen his business acumen.

Dr. Alston deep dives into his Pharmacy Director role AND explains the strategy for how he got there. And how you can get there too. He also offers practical advice on how to transition from being a hands-on doer to an empowering delegator, the power of internal networking, emotional intelligence, overcoming imposter syndrome, and identifying when you're ready to shoot your shot for a promotion.

Whether you're a pharmacy student mapping out your career path or a pharmacist ready to step into leadership, this conversation covers the real skills, career development strategies, and mindset shifts that separate staff pharmacists from directors.

🔑 More Key Topics Covered:

1. What a Director of Pharmacy actually does day-to-day
2. Typical career pathways and the value of advanced degrees
3. What it takes to successfully manage multiple facilities and personalities
4. Measurable goals and outcomes that are fundamental to drive growth
5. The signs of when you're ready (or not) for your next promotion

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👉 About Pharmacy Pathways Video (3 min watch time)

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Disclaimers & Disclosures: The views and content expressed in this video are personal to the speaker(s) only, and not representative of any corresponding organizations or institutions. The content in this video (including text, graphics, images, and information) is intended for informational purposes, and may not be applicable to individual circumstances, therefore, speakers are not held accountable for the result of any actions taken or decisions made as a result of the content viewed. Always consult your healthcare provider for personalized medical advice or your career coach for professional advice.

Thinking about a specialty pharmacy career? In this video, Dr. Alicia Scott breaks down exactly what it’s really like working as a solid organ transplant pharmacist! Her primary organ is the liver, but as a board-certified transplant specialist, her expertise covers other major organs (kidney, heart, and lung) as well. We explore the day-to-day responsibilities, residency training, and career paths across different transplant specialties so you can decide if becoming a transplant pharmacist is the right path for you!

🔑 What We Cover in This Interview:

1. The Career Roadmap: Navigating PGY1/PGY2 residencies & BCTXP certification
2. Choosing Your Specialty: Kidney, liver, heart, and lung transplants compared
3. Day in the Life: Inpatient vs. outpatient care & multidisciplinary rounding
4. The Patient Reality: Managing complex meds, immunosuppression, and costs
5. Alternative Paths: Non-clinical pharmacy career options (industry, research, etc)
6. Career Longevity: Real-world advice for avoiding pharmacist burnout.

Watch the SNPhA Episode Mentioned: https://youtu.be/e8Ay8KNP7t8

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Disclaimers & Disclosures: The views and content expressed in this video are personal to the speaker(s) only, and not representative of any corresponding organizations or institutions. The content in this video (including text, graphics, images, and information) is intended for informational purposes, and may not be applicable to individual circumstances, therefore, speakers are not held accountable for the result of any actions taken or decisions made as a result of the content viewed. Always consult your healthcare provider for personalized medical advice or your career coach for professional advice.

Thinking about pharmacy ownership or buying an independent pharmacy in 2026? In this deep-dive interview, independent pharmacy owner Dr. Keiko Bury shares the REAL numbers, mistakes, and mindset behind successful independent pharmacy ownership – so you can decide if owning a pharmacy is truly right for you. Dr. Keiko started as an 18-year-old cashier writing $200,000 checks with shaking hands. Today, she’s one of the few independent pharmacy owners who not only survived the last 7 years — but actually grew while other pharmacies closed their doors.

In this raw, unfiltered conversation, she breaks down the money, operations, and mindset every future pharmacy owner and pharmacist entrepreneur needs to understand before jumping into pharmacy ownership.

💰 THE MONEY REALITY:

• Why she couldn't pay her drug bill in 2020 (and how she fixed it)
• The hidden fees that can bankrupt your independent pharmacy if you don't track them
• How she transformed her pharmacy's finances in 6 months

📋 THE OPERATIONAL BLUEPRINT:

• Her exact weekly schedule as pharmacy owner
• How she built a team that runs the pharmacy WITHOUT her
• The clinical services that changed everything financially

⚠️ THE HARD TRUTHS:

• Contract negotiations that can quietly make or break your pharmacy
• Why “helping everyone” is the fastest way to go out of business
• The personality traits you NEED to survive as a pharmacist entrepreneurs

🔗 CONNECT WITH DR. KEIKO BURY:

• Website: www.CarboroFamilyPharmacy.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/carrboro_family_pharmacy
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/CarrboroFP

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Disclaimers & Disclosures: The views and content expressed in this video are personal to the speaker(s) only, and not representative of any corresponding organizations or institutions. The content in this video (including text, graphics, images, and information) is intended for informational purposes, and may not be applicable to individual circumstances, therefore, speakers are not held accountable for the result of any actions taken or decisions made as a result of the content viewed. Always consult your healthcare provider for personalized medical advice or your career coach for professional advice.

Is the independent pharmacy career path actually better than retail in 2026? If you are a pharma student or a burnt-out pharmacist wondering if the grass is greener at a local pharmacy, this video reveals the truth about work-life balance, daily workflow, and job security.

Successful independent pharmacy owner, Dr. Keiko Bury, gives an honest look at what it’s really like to work in this setting—not just owning one, but the day-to-day reality for the staff. From unique services that keep the pharmacy business profitable to the real role of the community pharmacist, we cover it all.

🔑 In this video, you will learn:

• What does a community pharmacist do every day (beyond just filling scripts)
• Why the work-life balance might surprise you compared to chains
• The innovative services driving pharmacy growth in 2026
• Real talk on the challenges, rewards, and pharmacy workflow
• How to break into the independent space as a career

If you are pursuing your PharmD or looking for pharmacy tips to pivot your career, this deep dive explores the independent pharmacy ownership model from an employee's perspective. Whether you are interested in pharmacy ownership eventually or just want a stable pharmacy career, this interview provides insights you need along with behind-the-scenes community pharmacist footage.

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Disclaimers & Disclosures: The views and content expressed in this video are personal to the speaker(s) only, and not representative of any corresponding organizations or institutions. The content in this video (including text, graphics, images, and information) is intended for informational purposes, and may not be applicable to individual circumstances, therefore, speakers are not held accountable for the result of any actions taken or decisions made as a result of the content viewed. Always consult your healthcare provider for personalized medical advice or your career coach for professional advice.

Thinking about becoming a compounding pharmacist? This comprehensive career guide covers everything you need to know! Dr. Thai, a practicing compounding pharmacist and pharmacy owner, gives the complete breakdown in this interview. His pharmacy creates custom medications for over 30 medical specialties for both humans and animals that big pharma can't provide. Discover the education requirements, specialized training programs, and day-to-day responsibilities that set compounding pharmacists apart. We discuss job market trends, entrepreneurship opportunities, work-life balance, and the pros and cons of this growing pharmacy specialty. Whether you're a pharmacy student or practicing pharmacist considering a career change, this episode has the insider information you need!

🔑 Key Takeaways from this Episode:

1. The basics of compounding pharmacy and the unique skillsets required
2. Exact training path and certification requirements to become a compounding pharmacist
3. Typical daily workflow in a compounding pharmacy: POV from staff vs owner
4. Career settings that compounding pharmacists can practice

WATCH ON YOUTUBE: https://youtu.be/Z_ZsPCa1Fpg

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Disclaimers & Disclosures: The views and content expressed in this video are personal to the speaker(s) only, and not representative of any corresponding organizations or institutions. The content in this video (including text, graphics, images, and information) is intended for informational purposes, and may not be applicable to individual circumstances, therefore, speakers are not held accountable for the result of any actions taken or decisions made as a result of the content viewed. Always consult your healthcare provider for personalized medical advice.

Get the breakdown for gastroenterology and rheumatology pharmacy practice with Dr. Alana Rice, who manages patients across multiple organ systems from her home office. Learn about the day-to-day reality of managing inflammatory bowel diseases and rheumatoid arthritis with biologics like Humira, Remicade, and newer biosimilars costing $10,000-$30,000 per dose. Alana explains the clinical complexity of TNF inhibitors, IL-12/23 inhibitors, and JAK inhibitors, plus how she monitors therapy response and inflammatory markers. She details her patient panel structure with 60-minute initial visits and 30-minute follow-ups, collaborative practice agreements that allow her to order labs and medications independently, and the insurance prior authorization process. Plus, discover alternative pathways into specialty practice beyond residency, the growing bioimilar market, and why BCACP certification gives you leverage across multiple ambulatory specialties.

🔑 Key Takeaways from this Episode:

1. The remote GI specialty role, key responsibilities, and what managing $30K biologics looks like
2. Free game on the exact pathway to break into GI/rheumatology (residency optional)
3. Why biologics and autoimmune specialties are the fastest-growing opportunities in pharmacy
4. The insider truth about collaborative practice agreements and true pharmacist autonomy

Quick Links:

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Disclaimers & Disclosures: The views and content expressed in this video are personal to the speaker(s) only, and not representative of any corresponding organizations or institutions. The content in this video (including text, graphics, images, and information) is intended for informational purposes, and may not be applicable to individual circumstances, therefore, speakers are not held accountable for the result of any actions taken or decisions made as a result of the content viewed. Always consult your healthcare provider for personalized medical advice.

The pharmacy profession is evolving faster than ever, and there's a career opportunity emerging that most pharmacists don't even know exists yet. In this conversation, Dr. Chelsea Sumner shares her unique journey from a traditional pharmacy background to a pioneering role at the intersection of pharmacy and artificial intelligence. Chelsea is a healthcare AI specialist for one of the world's biggest tech companies, NVIDIA, managing cutting-edge startups across North & South America - helping to build the technology that will revolutionize patient care. She discusses the evolving landscape of healthcare, the importance of technology in improving patient care, and the various non-traditional roles available for pharmacists today. Chelsea emphasizes the need for pharmacists to adapt to new technologies, the significance of communication skills, and the importance of mentorship in navigating career transitions. The discussion also highlights actionable steps for pharmacists and pharmacy students to engage with AI and technology in their careers. As AI transforms healthcare at lightning speed, discover why pharmacists are becoming the secret weapon that tech companies desperately need - and how you can position yourself for this rapidly expanding field.

🔑 Key Takeaways from this Episode:

1. The AI healthcare role, key responsibilities, and what a typical week actually looks like
2. What positions pharmacists to thrive in AI and not get left behind
3. Free game on the 3 actionable steps to break into healthcare AI (no coding required)
4. Why the "A to M" career jump strategy accelerates growth faster than linear progression
5. The insider truth about why healthcare AI is the fastest-growing opportunity for pharmacists

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Disclaimers & Disclosures: The views and content expressed in this video are personal to the speaker(s) only, and not representative of any corresponding organizations or institutions. The content in this video (including text, graphics, images, and information) is intended for informational purposes, and may not be applicable to individual circumstances, therefore, speakers are not held accountable for the result of any actions taken or decisions made as a result of the content viewed. Always consult your healthcare provider for personalized medical advice.

Curious about nuclear pharmacy as a career? Dr. Alvin Blackmon, with over 10 years of experience in nuclear pharmacy, provides a comprehensive overview of this specialized field. In this detailed conversation, you'll learn about the day-to-day responsibilities of nuclear pharmacists, from preparing radiopharmaceuticals at 5 AM to working with unique procedures like gastric emptying studies and white blood cell tagging. Discover the differences between hospital and commercial pharmacy settings, salary ranges ($140K-$200K), safety protocols, and the exact education requirements including the 700- hour authorized user certification. Whether you're a pharmacy student exploring specialties or a practicing pharmacist considering a career change, this episode covers everything from the pros and cons of different practice settings to actionable steps for breaking into this super niche field.

🔑 Key Things You'll Learn:

• Nuclear pharmacy basics: roles, $140K-$200K salaries, and career outlook
• Exact pathway to enter: 700-hour certification and training requirements
• Behind-the-scenes look at daily operations: 5 AM starts, unique procedures, and real responsibilities
• Real talk on radiation safety: exposure levels and actual risks explained
• Career fit assessment: schedule, personality traits, and work environments

Universities that Offer an Authorized Nuclear Pharmacist (ANP) Program/Track:

1. Purdue University (via Nuclear Education Online partnership)
2. University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (in partnership with UNM NEO)
3. University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Pharmacy
4. University of New Mexico College of Pharmacy
5. University of Oklahoma College of Pharmacy

Connect with Dr. Alvin Blackmon: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alvin-blackmon-iii-pharmd-bcnp-540990122/

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Disclaimers & Disclosures: The views and content expressed in this video are personal to the speaker(s) only, and not representative of any corresponding organizations or institutions. The content in this video (including text, graphics, images, and information) is intended for informational purposes, and may not be applicable to individual circumstances, therefore, speakers are not held accountable for the result of any actions taken or decisions made as a result of the content viewed. Always consult your healthcare provider for personalized medical advice.