How Ashley Leveled Up Her Pharmacy Leadership Skills through Dual Degree Programs

A pharmacist’s daily responsibilities are continuously expanding. Along with an increased focus on patient care and interprofessional collaboration, leadership has become a top-of-mind skill for pharmacists. With this shift, many pharmacy students look for opportunities to develop their leadership abilities within their pharmacy education.

One way to do this is through a Master of Science in Pharmacy Leadership. For Ashley Fronk, a second-year Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) student at the University of Cincinnati, enrolling in UC’s online pharmacy leadership program was the perfect addition to the rigorous PharmD program.

However, pursuing an advanced degree is no easy feat—let alone two at the same time! So how does Ashley do it? She shared her experience being in both programs and why pharmacy leadership was an excellent choice for her.

Dual Degree Ambitions

As a Cincinnati native, Ashley has always had a familiarity with all UC has to offer. However, she felt that she “hadn’t taken full advantage of it” until she began the pharmacy leadership program. During her second year in UC’s PharmD program, Ashley’s interests guided her toward an interest in pharmacy leadership and a desire to further her education in related topics.

Though choosing UC’s pharmacy school was a no-brainer, she initially had reservations about starting her master’s in pharmacy leadership. Mainly her hesitations centered around how demanding the program would be to juggle alongside her pharmacy school course load. “I knew that my schedule would become very busy very quickly,” Ashley says, “but the asynchronous style of classes made it easy for me to work ahead when I had time and ensured that I always met deadlines.”

Exceeding Expectations

Overall, Ashley has rave reviews for the pharmacy leadership program! A key advantage has been the program’s flexibility and the faculty’s commitment to their online courses. “The feedback on all of our work was given back in a very timely manner, and everyone was easily accessible to answer questions.”

Ashley’s coursework, which incorporates topics from the graduate programs in business administration and health administration, has allowed her to build a leader’s toolkit. Through evaluating her leadership style early on, Ashley has been able to identify her strengths and opportunities for growth earlier than many pharmacy professionals. The program’s core curriculum targets common aspects of pharmacy leadership, such as:

• Communication for Pharmacy Leaders
• Leading Quality Management in Pharmacy Practice
• Management of Medication Use Systems
• Accounting for Pharmacy Leaders
• Human Resource Management in Pharmacy
• Pharmacy Economics

Another benefit of the program for Ashley is being able to choose elective courses that align with her interests. While taking an elective on global health systems, Ashley studied the social determinants of health and how they affect patient outcomes. This individualized approach has allowed Ashley to expand her knowledge while still in pharmacy school.

Online Education Made Easy

For some prospective students, the adjustment to online learning sounds too overwhelming to even attempt. However, Ashley is just one of many online pharmacy leadership students who found the learning curve quite painless. From the moment Ashley applied for admission to the program, “there was someone to help with the entire process, and I was able to get all of my questions answered quickly.” She also appreciated how her UC Online Student Success Coordinator went the extra mile, checking in with her each semester on her progress.

A common concern for online students is that they won’t receive the same education as their in-person peers. In her dual degree experience, Ashley has found her online pharmacy leadership coursework to be a “great supplement” to her in-person PharmD education. Her online experience has even provided benefits that aren’t possible through an on-campus program. Ashley explains, “I was able to build relationships with peers all over the country through various courses.” This has allowed her to build and maintain these connections throughout the entirety of her program and into her career.

Limitless Career Potential

Ashley currently works at the Jewish Hospital in Cincinnati, and she’s excited to utilize her leadership skills in her future career as a pharmacist. The pharmacy leadership program has also expanded her clinical abilities and created opportunities prior to entering her residency. While she is still working toward completing her Doctor of Pharmacy degree, Ashley will graduate with her pharmacy leadership master’s by the end of the year.

For Ashley and other PharmD students, having this master’s degree under their belts before entering the post-grad job market is a huge advantage. It also opens doors to various leadership careers in clinical settings, such as:

• Clinical Pharmacist Specialist
• Clinical Manager
• Clinical Pharmacy Operations Manager
• Clinical Coordinator
• Pharmacy Director
• Pharmacy Assistant Director
• Pharmacy Supervisor

Spreading the Word

When asked if she would recommend UC’s online programs to others, Ashley’s response was a resounding “of course!” While it hasn’t been easy to balance two degree programs at once, Ashley ultimately feels “more well-rounded as a leader and as a professional” from the experience.

“These programs could not be more accommodating,” she explains. “They provide a perfect environment where you can continuously learn—whether you are also a student or deep in your professional career.” As the president of several organizations within the College of Pharmacy, Ashley has been excited to share information about the pharmacy leadership program with her classmates. She’s even been a guest speaker on virtual information sessions for the program, which you can view on UC’s YouTube channel.

To Ashley, the Pharmacy Leadership program has been well worth the investment. “The ability to expand your knowledge through UC Online is unmatched.”

Interested in Earning Your Master’s in Pharmacy Leadership?

If Ashley’s story strikes a chord in you, then consider applying to UC’s 100% online Master of Science in Pharmacy Leadership. The program is ideal for working pharmacists or current PharmD students, and it’s designed with a hectic schedule in mind. There are numerous transformational stories like Ashley’s, too; you can read them all on the alumni spotlight webpage.

What’s your next step, then? After reviewing the program’s admission requirements, you’ll want to contact your personalized Enrollment Advisor and get answers to your questions today!

Don’t wait to develop your pharmacy leadership skills and differentiate yourself from others in the field. Become a pharmacy leader today—UC’s online staff sees you and is here to help you every step of the way.