Laura K. Sjoquist, Pharm.D., BSPS, is a behavioral health clinical pharmacist practitioner at the James E. Van Zandt Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center in Altoona, Pennsylvania. She also serves as an adjunct professor in the Bowling Green State University Doctor of Physical Therapy Program, where she teaches pharmacology. Sjoquist earned both her BS degree in pharmaceutical sciences and her Pharm.D. degree from Cedarville University College of Pharmacy in 2015 and 2018, respectively. After graduation, she completed a 2-year Experiential Programs Academic Fellowship at the University of North Carolina (UNC) Eshelman School of Pharmacy under the direction of Dr. Nicole Pinelli Reitter. For several years after her fellowship, Sjoquist served as an assistant professor of teaching in pharmacy practice at the University of Findlay in Findlay, Ohio. She transitioned to her current role at the VA in early 2024.

Growing up, Sjoquist observed family members facing serious mental health diagnoses who struggled with polypharmacy and overprescription of psychotropic medications. These experiences, combined with encouragement from teachers and a local pharmacist, prompted her to pursue her Pharm.D. degree. Given this background, it might seem clear that Sjoquist would end up practicing in behavioral health, but less evident is the fact that her story is full of mentors and unique opportunities that informed her journey. Sjoquist’s responses to her Member Spotlight nomination mentioned more than 10 mentors by name as she expressed gratitude for their investment in her—a legacy she reflects on often. Competing as a collegiate NCAA Division II pentathlete and heptathlete gave Sjoquist a chance to serve as a student athlete on the NCAA Competitive Safeguards and Medical Aspects in Sports Committee. This committee exposed her to the research process and its contributions to advancing clinical practice. Her practical experience with research, teaching, and clinical psychiatric pharmacy practice continued during her fellowship at UNC. A volunteer opportunity with the Autism Society of North Carolina (ASNC) during fellowship turned into a personal passion and vested interest in patients and families living with autism spectrum disorder. She continues to work remotely as a clinical pharmacist human rights committee member for ASNC.

In her current role, Sjoquist provides comprehensive medication management services to veterans living with diagnosed mental health and substance use disorders, including ambulatory alcohol detoxification. Functioning within her privileged scope of practice, she autonomously prescribes and monitors psychiatric medication therapy for veterans through face-to-face and telehealth ambulatory care appointments. Sjoquist is a core team member within the Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program, serving on committees and teams dedicated to medication overdose awareness, mental health grand rounds, and substance use disorders. Sjoquist maintains active involvement in research and scholarship activities that she hopes will ultimately enhance the care provided to veterans. Clearly a dedicated pharmacist, Sjoquist reminds others, “You are more than a pharmacist. Invest in both your personal and professional interests with vigor.”

Sjoquist was encouraged to get involved with ACCP early in her fellowship, and over time, it has become her professional home. When asked about advocacy, she equates advocacy to her daily practice, where she uses each interaction to talk about what pharmacists bring to the table to meet the needs of patients. She provides the following tip for individuals looking to incorporate advocacy into their daily practice:

Approach the conversation inversely, highlighting the things you do in your job and the people you serve before classifying [your]self as a pharmacist. Find common ground and identify what other people care about so that you can frame the profession accordingly.

Sjoquist encourages other pharmacists to share their impact. “It’s not just the numerical data, which are there, that speak to our value,” she said. “People need to hear our stories.” One final lesson from Sjoquist’s story is that change takes time. Exposure to advocacy through student professional pharmacy organization events talking about provider status in Ohio started her multiyear process of networking with mental health advocates and providers in Findlay, Ohio. The outcome of these years of hard work and patience? Sjoquist launched the first behavioral health clinical pharmacist collaborative practice with long-acting injectable medication services in the area. Change needs champions.