Daniel R. Atchley, PharmD
Manager, Clinical Program Development, Kroger
What specific factors or experiences motivated you to select the UTHSC Community-Based Pharmacy Residency Program as your preferred pathway?
I wanted to be part of changing the way community pharmacies deliver care, and the UT Health Science Center Community-Based Pharmacy Residency Program offered me a tremendous opportunity to achieve my goals. I realized early on in my rotations the impact community pharmacists have on their patients and the healthcare system overall. This program has a tremendous track record of innovating and producing highly competent graduates.
Can you share the most impactful or transformative experience you had during your residency year?
Like many residents, I had no experience conducting clinical research and was equally inexperienced in navigating the utilization of shared resources across various organizations. This required re-learning how to communicate effectively, including using clear and concise language, following up appropriately, and sharing key updates with relevant stakeholders.
In what ways has participation in the UTHSC residency program contributed to your personal and professional development, and how has it helped you move toward your long-term career aspirations?
Two things about my experience stay with me the most. The first was learning to effectively assess my own performance, including objectively identifying areas of strength and weakness, and using effective strategies to correct or reinforce my behaviors. The second was the relationships I was able to build through the vast array of experiences the program offered. These are both things I carry with me today and continue to benefit from daily, both personally and professionally.
What important insights or advice would you offer to prospective residents considering the UTHSC Community-Based Pharmacy Residency Program to help them make an informed decision?
Like any experience, a residency will be as valuable as the work a person is willing to put into it. The UTHSC Community-Based Pharmacy Residency Program contains numerous opportunities to grow and advance your skills, and it requires being an active participant in your own learning. When considering a residency experience, I recommend thinking about what aligns most closely with your personal goals and values. Could you see yourself being colleagues with the people associated with the program? Does the mission of the program align with your personal mission? What types of things are you good at, and how could this program further elevate those? Will this program challenge you appropriately? All these things are important considerations.