Clinical Practice and Role:

1. You established pharmacist-led services at Jefferson Internal Medicine Associates back in 2013. What did the early stages of building that service look like, and how have these services evolved over the past decade?
   When I established services in 2013, the early stages were very much about building trust, demonstrating value, and integrating into an already well-established primary care workflow. Much of the early work required being physically present, accessible, and collaborative. Over time, I have continued to expand the scope and integration of pharmacist-led care within the practice, providing direct patient care focusing on managing diabetes, precepting learners, and serving as a clinical resource for the interprofessional team. The site has become an excellent teaching environment for experiential education and has grown through developing referral pathways, adding an additional pharmacist to the team, and engaging in quality improvement initiatives.
   
   
2. In your ambulatory care practice, what aspects of chronic disease management, especially diabetes, do you find most impactful or rewarding?
   In my ambulatory care practice, the rewarding aspects of diabetes management come from the longitudinal                  relationships and the opportunity to influence meaningful, sustained change in patients’ lives. Diabetes care is uniquely suited to pharmacist involvement because it requires ongoing medication optimization, education, and behavioral support, and I find that combination incredibly fulfilling.
   
   
3. Ambulatory care pharmacists often balance direct patient care, precepting, and being a clinical resource. How      do you structure your day to manage these responsibilities effectively?
   The key to balancing direct patient care, precepting, and serving as a clinical resource is treating them as interconnected responsibilities rather than separate tasks. When these roles are intentionally integrated, they reinforce one another. Patient care creates authentic learning opportunities, and being a resource deepens team trust and collaboration. This structure allows student pharmacists to fully engage in the care of patients while simultaneously contributing meaningfully to the clinic. This creates a model where education, clinical service, and team-based care work seamlessly together.

Research Involvement and Interests:

1. Your team recently published a real-world evaluation of tirzepatide in type 2 diabetes. What motivated this study, and what do you hope clinicians take away from your findings?
   Our motivation for conducting the study grew directly out of what we were seeing in practice. At the time, there was limited evidence describing the real-world effectiveness of tirzepatide, particularly among patients taking multiple antihyperglycemic agents or those transitioning from a baseline GLP-1 receptor agonist—both common scenarios in primary care. Our goal was to contribute practice‑based evidence that could help clinicians make informed decisions when initiating or titrating tirzepatide.
   
   
2.  From your experience conducting practice-based research, what advice would you give to students or residents   who want to start participating in research and commit to generating practice-based evidence but feel unsure     where to begin?
   My advice to students and residents who want to engage in practice-based research is to start small and let your clinical work and interests guide your questions. When research is grounded in the patient population you already serve, the work becomes easier to pursue and feels far more purposeful. I also encourage learners to partner with a mentor early in the process. A strong mentor can help refine the research question, ensure the project is feasible, and provide guidance through the IRB and data collection processes.

ACCP’s Role in Career Development:

1. How has ACCP contributed to your professional development throughout your career (eg, leadership roles, networking, mentorship, or practice advancement)?
   ACCP has played a meaningful role in my professional growth throughout my career. The organization has provided access to a national network of clinical pharmacists and opportunities for mentorship, leadership, and continued professional development. I have been actively involved in both the Endocrine & Metabolism PRN and the Ambulatory Care PRN, serving in several leadership roles, including secretary/treasurer and chair of the Communications Committee of the Endocrine & Metabolism PRN as well as chair of the Membership Committee for the Ambulatory Care PRN. In addition, I have served as faculty since 2021 for the Updates in Therapeutics^®: Pharmacotherapy Preparatory Review and Recertification Course offered through ACCP, contributing to pulmonary disorders and immunization content areas.
   
   
2. You’ve been actively involved in both the Endocrine & Metabolism PRN and the Ambulatory Care PRN, including serving in several leadership roles. How has PRN engagement supported your growth as a clinician and educator?
   PRN engagement has connected me with colleagues across the country who are navigating similar clinical challenges, allowing me to learn from their experiences and bring new ideas back to my own practice. The leadership roles I’ve held within these PRNs have strengthened my skills in communication and collaboration, which are skills that translate directly into my work with students and interprofessional teams.
   
   
3. Through ACCP, you’ve participated in mentorship, leadership, and national education efforts such as the Updates in Therapeutics^® Pharmacotherapy Review and Recertification Course. What have been the most meaningful aspects of contributing in these capacities?
   One of the most rewarding aspects has been the opportunity to support the development of other pharmacists. Through ACCP, I’ve been able to advance clinical pharmacy knowledge and contribute to national educational offerings. This work is both impactful and strongly aligned with my values and responsibilities as a clinician-educator.
   
   
4. For student pharmacists considering ACCP involvement early in their careers, what benefits or opportunities would you highlight that helped shape your own professional trajectory?
   For me, ACCP offers a sense of belonging within a community of pharmacists who share my interests in ambulatory care. The organization has facilitated my engagement in the profession of pharmacy, helped me develop my professional identity, and provided opportunities to grow into leadership roles and expand my professional network. Students who get involved early gain access to resources, mentorship, and a network that supports them long after graduation.
   
   

Emily M. Scopelliti, Pharm.D., BCPS, is an ambulatory care specialist at Jefferson Internal Medicine Associates and chair and associate professor for the Department of Pharmacy Practice at Thomas Jefferson University Jefferson College of Pharmacy.