October 08, 2025
Jo Ellen Rodgers, Pharm.D., FCCP, FHFSA, FAHA, BCCP, BCPS
Hope as a Catalyst for Change in Pharmacy
A year ago, as I drafted my presidential theme, Medication Optimization: Realizing Our Greatest Potential, I could not have predicted the challenges and opportunities ahead. Many times since then, I have had to pause and search for hope, not only for myself but also for our profession.
In my previous columns, I have referenced both optimism and hope. However, in psychology, these 2 concepts have been used interchangeably or not clearly defined. Optimism reflects a general belief that good things will happen, often relying on luck or external circumstances. Hope, in contrast, is a more focused and active process of believing in one’s ability to achieve a specific, desired outcome and actively working toward it, even in the face of adversity. Optimism is circumstance-driven; hope is action-driven.1
At times, I hesitate to lean into hope, perhaps as protection from disappointment. Yet research demonstrates that hope carries tangible benefits for health, resilience, and meaning.2 So the question becomes, where do we find hope and how do we turn hope into meaning and action?
Hope and Meaning
A growing body of evidence supports that hope is not only wishful thinking but also a driver of resiliency and purposeful action. A recent article published in Emotion highlights another dimension: hope fosters a deeper sense of meaning in life.3 Even without clear solutions, the feeling of hope itself provides direction and purpose. Moreover, explains Megan Edwards, a postdoctoral scholar at Duke University and lead author of the paper, cultivating this mindset can help us start enacting the changes we need to make things better. Hope, then, is not a fleeting emotion but an existential mindset—one that can sustain us and our patients during difficult times.
Identifying Heroes of Hope
Emerging from the pandemic, I was desperate to find hope. I stumbled across the podcast “Wiser Than Me,” in which actor Julia Louis-Dreyfus features conversations with “iconic older women who are brimming with the kind of unapologetic attitude and wisdom that only comes with age.” With the goal of learning how they had navigated life’s obstacles and embraced their aspirations, she connected with women such as Jane Goodall, Gloria Steinem, Billie Jean King, and Isabel Allende as they shared hard-earned wisdom about resilience and purpose. Each conversation encouraged me to sustain motivation and clarify my own goals. Reflecting on the podcast reminded me of a trainee who had introduced me to the phrase “career crush”—having a deep admiration for a professional whose journey inspires and motivates. Although numerous individuals have positively influenced my career trajectory, there was one standout. I did not necessarily copy their path; rather, I reverse-engineered their success to understand what aspects I admired and applied those learnings to my own unique career trajectory. Thank you, Barbara Wells, 2004-2005 ACCP president, for providing me with inspiration and motivation.
Hope is amplified by influence. Each of us, every day, influences colleagues, trainees, patients, and communities. Robert Cialdini’s Influence (2006) outlines principles—such as reciprocity, social proof (consensus), and commitment—that explain how influence can drive change.4 Used ethically, influence allows us to inspire others to act with hope and resilience.
Bright Rays of Hope
Recently, I was privileged to join a celebration of transition for the fellows of the ACCP/ASHP/VCU Congressional Healthcare Policy Program. Their stories were deeply inspiring—not only for the initiatives they undertook during their fellowships but also for the impact they now make across government and health systems. These alumni embody hope in action, holding positions such as:
- Senior Health Policy Advisor in the US Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee
- Senior Director of Federal Relations in the Healthcare Association of New York State
- Leadership roles within the FDA, Department of Veterans Affairs, and beyond
Their achievements remind us that our profession is not just present at the policy table—we are also shaping the future of health care.
Transforming Hope into Action
Hope is not about ignoring challenges but about believing change is possible and mobilizing action.
Hope isn’t delusional. It isn’t denial. It doesn’t ignore the real challenges…. It is not woo-woo thinking. It doesn’t ignore the trouble, or make excuses, or deny danger. It is not pretending. It is acknowledging the truth of the situation and working to find the best way to cope. It’s showing up and working through the hard stuff, believing that something better is possible. It’s resilient.5
According to the famed hope researcher C.R. Snyder, hope fosters healthier relationships and well-being, strengthens persistence, and implies the possibility of a better future.6
As clinical pharmacists, we can transform hope into action by:
Through these efforts, we will advance our profession and contribute to transforming the health care system to better serve our patients.
Conclusion
Hope is attainable—and essential—in health care. It empowers us to persist, adapt, and transform. By recognizing the heroes who inspire us, cultivating hope in ourselves, and exercising our influence responsibly, we will realize our greatest potential.
As our fellowship alumni demonstrate, hope is not passive. It is active, resilient, and transformative. In a time of profound health care challenges, hope may be our most valuable catalyst for change.
References
1. Bury SM, Wenzel M, Woodyatt L. Confusing hope and optimism when prospects are good: a matter of language pragmatics or conceptual equivalence? Motiv Emot. 2019;43:483-492. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11031-018-9746-7
2. Lee JY, Gallagher MW. Hope and well-being. In: Gallagher MW, Lopez SJ, eds. The Oxford Handbook of Hope. Oxford University Press; 2018:287-298. https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2017-55500-024
3. Edwards ME, Booker JA, Cook K, Miao M, Gan Y, King LA. Hope as a meaningful emotion: hope, positive affect, and meaning in life. Emotion. 2025;25(6):1365-1380. https://doi.org/10.1037/emo0001513
4. Cialdini RB. Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion, Revised Edition. Collins Business Essentials; 2006.
5. Campbell P. Why hope matters—hoping we can make things better is the secret to doing so. Psychology Today. 2019. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/imperfect-spirituality/201902/why-hope-matters
6. Snyder CR. Hope theory: rainbows in the mind. Psychol Inq. 2002;13(4):249-275. https://doi.org/10.1207/S15327965PLI1304_01