Alumni Spotlight: Sarah Hines, MS Pharmacy Leadership Graduate

UC MS Pharmacy Leadership Graduate Working with Kaiser Permanente

Sarah Hines, 2019 UC Pharmacy Leadership Graduate, is a Staff Pharmacist with Kaiser Permanente. She is responsible for ensuring the accuracy of and dispensing prescriptions, determining the appropriateness of therapy, collaboration with physicians, and patient education.

UC Online recently talked with Sarah about her career and experience at the University of Cincinnati and the Pharmacy Leadership Program. She provided her perspective on the Pharmacy Leadership program and how the program has equipped her with leadership skills.

What motivated you to seek your MS and why did you select the Pharmacy Leadership program?

I graduated with my PharmD in 1999.  I have always felt that my PharmD coursework did not adequately prepare me for the leadership role that is inherent in my role as a pharmacist.

Additionally, over the course of my career, I became more and more interested in taking on a leadership role within the profession of pharmacy and within my organization.  I went looking for a program that would help me gain both leadership and administrative skills within a pharmacy framework.

Why did you select UC, and are you happy with your choice?

I was in the process of deciding if I wanted to pursue an MHA or an MBA.  I loved how the UC program incorporated elements of both.  It was the perfect fit for me.

How did you handle the school, work, life balance while in the program?

I treated time as my most valuable resource.  The key is to develop a routine and actively schedule your time. Don’t forget to schedule downtime and family time for yourself.

What is a favorite memory or a proud moment you had during the program?

My very first course was an overview of the American Healthcare System.  It was a course designed for candidates in the MHA program, and I knew it would be a challenge for me.  The instructor made clear in his first email that non-MHA students would be held to the same standards as MHA candidates. I read all the course instructions very carefully and put my very best effort into that first assignment.  The next email from the instructor to the class expressed disappointment in our performance on the first assignment.  I almost dreaded to look at my grade, but I had received a 100%.  Since I hadn’t taken a college course in nearly 20 years, I was quite proud of myself.

How has your degree helped you in your career?

It has expanded my knowledge of healthcare and perspective beyond just the pharmacy.  Now, when I meet with healthcare leaders outside my department I speak their language.

Who is a good fit for the Pharmacy Leadership program?

Anyone who is looking to move the practice of pharmacy into the future.

Do you have any advice for future students looking into the program?

Challenge yourself.  Do not be afraid to step outside of your comfort zone.

For someone who may have never taken an online course before, how would you describe the experience?

It requires a high degree of self-motivation, but we can do wonderful things with our modern technology.  Do not shy away from online education just because you feel like you aren’t adept at technology.  This will force you to learn it, and you will find that useful!

Learn More about the Pharmacy Leadership program with UC Online.