Pharmacist Diaries Anisha Patel

Welcome back to another episode of the Pharmacist Diaries podcast! In this episode, we dive into the topic of work-life balance and managing stress as a consultant pharmacist. Our guest, Jo Crook, a consultant pharmacist in paediatrics at King's College Hospital NHS Trust, shares her inspiring journey in the pharmacy field while balancing her career and family life.

Jo Crook is a Consultant Pharmacist specialising in paediatrics, focusing on children with liver disease, including those who have had liver transplants, and medication adherence. She is actively involved with the Neonatal Paediatric Pharmacy Group (NPPG) organising committee and works on national projects to improve health outcomes related to medicines for children. Jo recently completed an NIHR pre-doctoral fellowship, enhancing her clinical academic skills and paving the way for a PhD aimed at supporting families with post-liver transplant medication adherence. 



Key Takeaway Messages:


Importance of Setting Boundaries: Jo highlighted the significance of learning to say no and having a clear strategy in mind when it comes to balancing work and personal life. Setting clear objectives and priorities can help ensure that both professional responsibilities and personal well-being are taken care of effectively.


Utilising Part-Time Work for Flexibility: Jo shared her experience of working part-time and how it provided her with the flexibility to not only deliver on her professional commitments but also pursue her passions and interests outside of work. Part-time work allowed her to focus on tasks that she was genuinely passionate about, enhancing her overall productivity and job satisfaction.


Support and Delegation: Jo emphasised the importance of delegating tasks and providing support to team members. By trusting her colleagues and offering guidance when needed, Jo created a supportive work environment where team members felt empowered to take on responsibilities and seek assistance when required. This approach not only fosters a collaborative work culture but also ensures that workloads are managed effectively.



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CONNECT WITH JO:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jo-crook-nee-hood-a1b13598/

X: https://x.com/joeyjocrook



Follow me on⁠⁠⁠ My Website⁠⁠⁠,⁠⁠⁠ YouTube⁠⁠⁠,⁠⁠⁠ Instagram⁠⁠⁠,⁠⁠⁠ Facebook⁠⁠⁠,⁠⁠⁠ LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠, and/or⁠⁠⁠ Twitter⁠⁠⁠. Feel free to subscribe to the podcast on your favourite podcast platform so you can be notified when a new episode is released or leave a review on apple podcasts. If you have any suggestions for guests you want me to talk to or if you’d like to come on yourself, please feel free to contact me via social media, or email at in

In this enlightening episode of Pharmacist Diaries, we dive into the world of Consultant Pharmacists with Sital Shah, Consultant Pharmacist in Hepatology at King's College Hospital. She shares her path to becoming a consultant pharmacist, from her early fascination with science to specialising in hepatology, highlighting the role of family connections and summer placements in shaping her career choice. Sital emphasizes the power of mentorship and diverse experiences, discussing how mentors influenced her career trajectory and the importance of exposure to different areas of pharmacy practice.

The conversation explores Sital's specialisation in hepatology, what drew her to this particular field, and the challenges and rewards of working in liver disease. She illustrates the versatility required, discussing how skills transfer between specialties and the expanding role of consultant pharmacists in various healthcare settings. Sital candidly shares her experiences navigating career challenges, including managing the unprecedented demands of the COVID-19 pandemic and balancing clinical responsibilities with research and teaching duties.

For junior pharmacists, Sital offers valuable advice on finding their niche, emphasising the importance of rotating through different areas and integrating into multidisciplinary teams. She discusses the future of consultant pharmacist roles, highlighting emerging opportunities and the growing importance of specialised knowledge. The episode also touches on the critical topic of work-life balance and stress management, previewing the next episode's focus on maintaining well-being in this demanding career.



Key highlights:


Sital's career path: From early interest in science to specialising in hepatology


The importance of mentorship and diverse experiences in shaping a pharmacy career


Transferable skills


Adapting to challenges: Unexpected rotations and managing during the COVID-19 pandemic


Expanding roles of consultant pharmacists in primary and intermediate care settings


Advice for junior pharmacists on finding their niche and excelling in multidisciplinary teams


The value of networking and professional development



BEHIND THE MIC!

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CONNECT WITH SITAL:

X: @Sitalgoneviral
LinkedIn: Sital Shah



Follow me on⁠⁠ My Website⁠⁠,⁠⁠ YouTube⁠⁠,⁠⁠ Instagram⁠⁠,⁠⁠ Facebook⁠⁠,⁠⁠ LinkedIn⁠⁠, and/or⁠⁠ Twitter⁠⁠. Feel free to subscribe to the podcast on your favourite podcast platform so you can be notified when a new episode is released or leave a review on apple podcasts. If you have any suggestions for guests you want me to talk to or if you’d like to come on yourself, please feel free to contact me via social media, or email at info@pharmacistdiaries.com.

Join me for the first episode of a 6-part series on becoming a consultant pharmacist in the UK, featuring Sukeshi Makhecha, a consultant pharmacist with 25 years of experience in paediatric respiratory care and asthma.

Sukeshi shares her inspiring journey, highlighting her passion for paediatrics and her dedication to enhancing asthma care for children through education and research. This episode delves into the essential clinical skills, competencies, and specialist knowledge required for this role, as well as the importance of maintaining a work-life balance to prevent burnout.

We explore the evolving role of consultant pharmacists and the competencies required by the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS). Sukeshi discusses the milestones necessary to master respiratory and paediatric care, illustrated through a compelling case study on addressing environmental concerns related to metered dose inhalers. The episode also offers strategies for continuous learning, including the benefits of professional networks and conferences.

Sukeshi works at the Royal Brompton Hospital as a lead paediatric pharmacist and a paediatric respiratory specialist pharmacist at the Evelina London Children’s Hospital. She is also:


credentialed as a consultant pharmacist in pediatric asthma by the Royal Pharmaceutical Society


co-chairs the Pharmacy London Asthma Implementation Group (LALIG)


chairs the NPPG Respiratory Interest Group (RIG), and


serves on the Pharmacists Consortium London North West (PCLNW) steering committee. 



Her research interests include adherence in asthma and vaping in children, and she is passionate about raising the profile of pharmacists in pediatric asthma care to improve outcomes for children and young people with asthma.



BEHIND THE MIC!

Have you been thinking about starting your own podcast?

We know that starting a podcast can feel daunting and overwhelming. But guess what? You’re not alone.  We are on a mission to create a fantastic community of individuals just like you! Together, we'll break down the entire podcasting process—from ideation to recording, editing, technology, publishing, social media, marketing, branding, sponsorship and more.



Sign up to our FREE community called Behind The Mic!  We are excited to engage with you and provide you with the support & guidance you need to get started. 

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PARTNERSHIPS:

The Naked Pharmacy is offering my podcast listeners a 20% discount on all their products. Use discount code PD20 at checkout to receive the offer.

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CONNECT WITH SUKESHI:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/makhecha-sukeshi-05030048/

X: https://x.com/SukeshiMakhecha



Follow me on⁠ My Website⁠,⁠ YouTube⁠,⁠ Instagram⁠,⁠ Facebook⁠,⁠ LinkedIn⁠, and/or⁠ Twitter⁠. Feel free to subscribe to the podcast on your favourite podcast platform so you can be notified when a new episode is released or leave a review on apple podcasts. If you have any suggestions for guests you want me to talk to or if you’d like to come on yourself, please feel free to contact me via social media, or email at info@pharmacistdiaries.com.

In this engaging episode, we explore the diverse and inspiring career of Khaleel Loonat, a clinical pharmacist who has successfully branched out into football scouting and pharmaceutical consultancy. Khaleel shares his journey from initially considering quitting pharmacy school to becoming a valued member of the Leeds United Academy scouting team and an Advanced Clinical Practitioner (ACP) student.
Khaleel's story begins with his pre-registration year in community pharmacy, where he felt unfulfilled and sought to broaden his horizons through backpacking in South America. This experience opened his eyes to different cultures and pushed him out of his comfort zone. Upon returning, he transitioned to hospital pharmacy, completing a residency program that exposed him to various specialties.
A turning point in Khaleel's career came when he discovered his talent for medical coding in GP practices. This unique skill set led to consultancy opportunities and significantly impacted his professional trajectory. Khaleel explains the intricacies of coding, its importance in primary care, and how it can increase practice revenue and improve patient outcomes.
The conversation then shifts to Khaleel's journey into football scouting. As a lifelong football enthusiast, he seized an opportunity to become a scout for Leeds United Academy. Khaleel passionately discusses his mission to increase South Asian representation in football academies and shares his proud moments of helping young players secure opportunities with top clubs.
Khaleel also delves into his work with pharmaceutical companies, explaining how his clinical experience and communication skills have made him a valuable consultant and speaker. He emphasizes the importance of building relationships and providing value, which has led to numerous opportunities in the industry.

Key Takeaways:

Pursuing passions alongside a pharmacy career can lead to unexpected opportunities.

Coding skills can be a valuable asset in primary care pharmacy.

The ACP course offers pharmacists a pathway to expand their clinical skills.

Networking and building relationships are crucial for career growth.

Pharmacy skills like communication and problem-solving are transferable to other fields.


BEHIND THE MIC!
Have you been thinking about starting your own podcast?
We know that starting a podcast can feel daunting and overwhelming. But guess what? You’re not alone. We are on a mission to create a fantastic community of individuals just like you! Together, we'll break down the entire podcasting process—from ideation to recording, editing, technology, publishing, social media, marketing, branding, sponsorship and more.

Sign up to our FREE community called Behind The Mic! We are excited to engage with you and provide you with the support & guidance you need to get started.
Register here: https://behindthemic.circle.so/

SIGN UP to my NEWSLETTER below so you’ll be the first to know when new episodes are being released. You’ll also receive regular inspiration, tips, tools, and free content.
https://pharmacistdiaries.ck.page/newsletter

PARTNERSHIPS:
The Naked Pharmacy is offering my podcast listeners a 20% discount on all their products. Use discount code PD20 at checkout to receive the offer.
⁠⁠⁠https://www.thenakedpharmacy.com/⁠⁠⁠

CONNECT WITH KHALEEL:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/khaleel-loonat-a6528714b/
Follow me on⁠⁠⁠ My Website⁠⁠⁠,⁠⁠⁠ YouTube⁠⁠⁠,⁠⁠⁠ Instagram⁠⁠⁠,⁠⁠⁠ Facebook⁠⁠⁠,⁠⁠⁠ LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠, and/or⁠⁠⁠ Twitter⁠⁠⁠. Feel free to subscribe to the podcast on your favourite podcast platform so you can be notified when a new episode is released or leave a review on apple podcasts. If you have any suggestions for guests you want me to talk to or if you’d like to come on yourself, please feel free to contact me via social media, or email at info@pharmacistdiaries.com.

In this episode of the Pharmacist Diaries podcast, we deep dive into the world of artificial intelligence in pharmacy with the Aditya Aggarwal, Senior Service Manager at Hillingdon NHS Trust. Aditya shares his journey from being a pharmacist to his current role, shedding light on the intersection of pharmacy and technology.

His curiosity and passion for emerging technologies led him to pursue a Master's degree focusing on artificial intelligence in pharmacy. Aditya's research highlighted the lack of literature on AI in community pharmacy, prompting him to advocate for greater education and integration of AI tools in the field.

Transitioning from policy development to operational management, Aditya reflects on the challenges and rewards of his career progression. Despite stepping away from direct patient care, Aditya emphasises the importance of understanding the broader impact pharmacists can have in healthcare systems.

Through his experiences, Aditya redefines what it means to be a pharmacist, emphasising the diverse roles and responsibilities within the profession. His insights into leadership, innovation, and bridging the gap between policy and practice offer valuable lessons for aspiring pharmacists navigating their career paths.

Join us as we explore the evolving landscape of pharmacy, where technology, leadership, and patient-centered care intersect to shape the future of healthcare. Tune in to gain valuable insights from Aditya's journey and discover the endless possibilities within the pharmacy profession.

BEHIND THE MIC!

Have you been thinking about starting your own podcast?

We know that starting a podcast can feel daunting and overwhelming. But guess what? You’re not alone. We are on a mission to create a fantastic community of individuals just like you! Together, we'll break down the entire podcasting process—from ideation to recording, editing, technology, publishing, social media, marketing, branding, sponsorship and more.



Sign up to our FREE community called Behind The Mic! We are excited to engage with you and provide you with the support & guidance you need to get started.

Register here: ⁠https://behindthemic.circle.so/⁠



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⁠https://pharmacistdiaries.ck.page/newsletter⁠



PARTNERSHIPS:

The Naked Pharmacy is offering my podcast listeners a 20% discount on all their products. Use discount code PD20 at checkout to receive the offer.

⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.thenakedpharmacy.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠

Healf is offering my podcast listeners a 10% discount on all their products. Use the following link to purchase products and the discount code will be applied at checkout.

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CONNECT WITH ADITYA:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adkaggarwal/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chaiwithaditya/

X: https://x.com/ChaiwithAditya



Follow me on⁠⁠⁠⁠ My Website⁠⁠⁠⁠,⁠⁠⁠⁠ YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠,⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠,⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠,⁠⁠⁠⁠ LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠, and/or⁠⁠⁠⁠ Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠. Feel free to subscribe to the podcast on your favourite podcast platform so you can be notified when a new episode is released or leave a review on apple podcasts. If you have any suggestions for guests you want me to talk to or if you’d like to come on yourself, please feel free to contact me via social media, or email at info@pharmacistdiaries.com.

In this episode of Pharmacist Diaries, I had the pleasure of interviewing Georgina Fihosy, a pharmacist and entrepreneur with a fascinating journey. Georgina shares her experiences transitioning from a hospital, to primary care and then working for Novartis while also running her own greeting card publishing company, AfroTouch Design, and being a mother of 3!

Georgina's journey into pharmacy began with a desire to help people, leading her to explore various specialties within the field. She found her passion in paediatrics and women's health, but eventually felt the need for more variety and challenge in her career. This led her to a role in a Primary Care Trust (PCT), where she worked on service improvement projects and prescribing practices.

During her maternity leave with her second child, Georgina discovered her entrepreneurial spirit and started creating handmade greeting cards. This creative outlet eventually evolved into her own business, AfroTouch Design. Despite the challenges of balancing her career at Novartis and running her business, Georgina's passion and dedication have driven her to success.

Throughout the episode, Georgina shared insights into the importance of: 


following your gut instincts


finding balance between work and personal life, and 


the joys of pursuing creative endeavours. 



Her story serves as an inspiration for pharmacists looking to explore entrepreneurship and find fulfillment in their careers.

Join us as we delve into Georgina's journey, from hospital pharmacist to entrepreneur, and discover the power of passion and perseverance in building a successful career in pharmacy.



BEHIND THE MIC!

Have you been thinking about starting your own podcast?

We know that starting a podcast can feel daunting and overwhelming. But guess what? You’re not alone. We are on a mission to create a fantastic community of individuals just like you! Together, we'll break down the entire podcasting process—from ideation to recording, editing, technology, publishing, social media, marketing, branding, sponsorship and more.



Sign up to our FREE community called Behind The Mic! We are excited to engage with you and provide you with the support & guidance you need to get started.

Register here: https://behindthemic.circle.so/



SIGN UP to my NEWSLETTER below so you’ll be the first to know when new episodes are being released. You’ll also receive regular inspiration, tips, tools, and free content.

https://pharmacistdiaries.ck.page/newsletter



PARTNERSHIPS:

The Naked Pharmacy is offering my podcast listeners a 20% discount on all their products. Use discount code PD20 at checkout to receive the offer.

⁠⁠⁠https://www.thenakedpharmacy.com/⁠⁠⁠

Healf is offering my podcast listeners a 10% discount on all their products. Use the following link to purchase products and the discount code will be applied at checkout.

⁠⁠⁠https://healf.com/?snowball=ANISHA11032⁠⁠⁠  



CONNECT WITH GEORGINA:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/georgina-fihosy

Instagram: https://instagram.com/afrotouchdesign

Websites: https://www.afrotouch.design and https://georginafihosy.com/

Email: hello@afrotouch.design

Follow me on⁠⁠⁠ My Website⁠⁠⁠,⁠⁠⁠ YouTube⁠⁠⁠,⁠⁠⁠ Instagram⁠⁠⁠,⁠⁠⁠ Facebook⁠⁠⁠,⁠⁠⁠ LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠, and/or⁠⁠⁠ Twitter⁠⁠⁠. Feel free to subscribe to the podcast on your favourite podcast platform so you can be notified when a new episode is released or leave a review on apple podcasts. If you have any suggestions for guests you want me to talk to or if you’d like to come on yourself, please feel free to contact me via social media, or email at info@pharmacistdiaries.com.