Clinical Practice and Role:

1. What does a typical day look like for you as a clinical pharmacy specialist in internal medicine at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital?
   Thankfully, there is no “typical day” on an internal medicine service. I had a hard time deciding what specialty I wanted to go into because I enjoyed every single one of my learning experiences so greatly. There is so much diversity in the patient population I treat. With respect to the “typical,” usually this looks like coming into the hospital early in the morning to review the day’s patients and then rounding on the floors with the medical team. During rounds, I am providing treatment recommendations, assisting with drug dosing, and addressing drug information questions. Every day is a little different, and that’s why I love it so much—never a dull moment in the internal medicine world!
   
   
2. What aspects of internal medicine pharmacy practice do you find most rewarding or most challenging?
   I think the most challenging aspects of this field (and a lot of inpatient-focused practice) is the lack of follow-up. We do our best to provide excellent care and help patients get well enough to return home, but unfortunately, once they leave the hospital, we aren’t really able to follow up and see how they are doing. In the same vein, though, this also means that you ALWAYS have patients on the unit with active problems to address, so the opportunities to intervene and optimize are almost endless.
   
   
3.  How do you collaborate with physicians, nurses, and other health care professionals in your current role?
   I collaborate with all members of the interdisciplinary care team during rounds. It’s the best part of the day! I love having conversations with a complete care team, because I know this leads to the best possible patient outcomes.

Research Involvement and Interests:

1. You recently participated in a poster presentation at the ACCP Annual Meeting – Minneapolis 2025. What sparked your interest in evaluating rivaroxaban for VTE prophylaxis in psychiatric patients boarded in the ED?
   This project was proposed because of a unique situation at my PGY2 practice site. This institution had limited psychiatric bed availability, which meant that patients admitted for psychiatric concerns ended up “boarding” (staying confined to a small ED bed) for several days at a time while awaiting a spot in the psychiatric unit. During this time of confinement, because these patients don’t have anywhere to go, their risk of developing VTE increases. Traditionally, VTE prophylaxis is administered by injection, but we found this patient population refused VTE prophylaxis more than 90% of the time. Rivaroxaban (at a reduced dose) is also an approved prophylactic agent but is administered orally. This project looked at VTE prophylaxis adherence during this time and assessed whether there were any differences in either VTE development or bleeding events between rivaroxaban and our traditional subcutaneous injection agents.
   
   For me, this project is meaningful because it’s a chance to meet patients where they are. Venous thromboembolism prophylaxis only works if the patient is willing to take it. Subcutaneous injections are not comfortable, so if an oral option is available and likely to provide the same risk-benefit profile, I think that is a huge win for the patient experience.
   
   
2. Your work on buprenorphine microdosing is a collaborative faculty-student project. What has that experience been like, and why is this topic meaningful to you?
   This is my first opportunity to interact as part of a large research project that has involved both faculty and students. It’s been such a privilege to interact with a large group that is all working toward the same goal. My projects up to this point have been much smaller in comparison.
   
   
3. What advice would you give to students or residents who are interested in getting involved in research but aren’t sure where to start?
   Ask your faculty members! Don’t be afraid to just reach out. The worst thing they can do is say “I don’t have anything for you right now.”
   
   In addition, “research” encompasses such a wide variety of projects. Don’t let the idea of being in a laboratory and experimenting on mice be the only thing you think of when you think of research. Talk to your faculty members—ask them what they do for research. I think you will be surprised at the variety of answers you find. There is truly something out there for everyone.
   
   
4. You’ve expressed interest in AI’s role in pharmacy education and drug information. What skills do you think student pharmacists should begin developing now to prepare for technology-driven changes in the pharmacy profession?
   Like so many people, I was initially very apprehensive about ChatGPT and other large language models for any purpose. However, within the past year or so, I’ve seen what an incredible impact that AI, when used in the right context, can have both in the classroom and within the practice setting.
   
   I think the best thing pharmacy students can do now is really familiarize themselves with these tools. It’s vital that we develop an understanding of what they are good at doing and where their limitations are. Artificial intelligence is good at so many things, but it lacks the same critical thinking process that humans have. When we engage with these tools on a regular basis, we can understand them better and then understand when NOT to use them, too.

ACCP’s Role in Career Development:

1. What initially motivated you to become involved in ACCP during your PGY2 residency, and how has involvement in ACCP helped you expand your professional network beyond your institution?
   I got involved in ACCP during my PGY2 residency. My RPD at the time was very involved with the organization and encouraged me to take some steps to get involved, too, and I am so glad I did. As a resident, I had the opportunity to conduct a journal club presentation at a Practice and Research Network meeting. Through this, I was introduced to a new mentor and made some connections with other pharmacy residents and practitioners across the country. I’ve since been granted the opportunity to serve as a mentor to residents, and this has been a wonderful way to give back to a community that has certainly made me a better pharmacist. More recently, I joined the Adult Medicine PRN’s Walk-Rounds Committee. This is so exciting to me, because I love to learn about all of the fascinating and impactful research our members are doing and ensure these efforts are getting noticed!

Faith E. Sears, Pharm.D., is an internal medicine specialist at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital and assistant professor for the Department of Pharmacy Practice at Thomas Jefferson University Jefferson College of Pharmacy.