Heather Sharpe’s career offers inspiration and insight

They’ve heard a lot about the different paths a pharmacy career can offer. For some, it was the reason they chose pharmacy as a career.

On August 16, at the 2024 White Coat Ceremony at 3 p.m. in the MUSC Drug Discovery Building, the MUSC College of Pharmacy Class of 2028 will have a chance to hear first-hand from someone who can give them a perfect introduction to the profession.

Heather Sharpe ’00 has built a highly-successful pharmacy career and currently serves as the director of operations at Winyah Pharmacy, where she has worked for 15 years. Her career path is very instructive for new and aspiring pharmacists, because it took some fascinating and unexpected turns along the way.

“We’re so appreciative that Dr. Sharpe is our White Coat speaker,” said Philip Hall, dean of MUSC College of Pharmacy. “Her career is filled with entrepreneurship, strategic risk-taking, bold leadership, and a great sense of caring for the well-being of her patients.”

The White Coat Ceremony is a ritual that officially welcomes first-year students to the college. They sign the Pharmacist’s Code of Ethics, are presented with their white coat, and take the Oath of Professionalism. The event also features a keynote speaker.

“Dr. Sharpe is a fantastic model for students in the Class of 2028,” Hall said. “And now, every time they walk into the lobby and see her name over the west wing, they’ll be reminded of this special connection they have.”

A Mount Pleasant resident, Heather Sharpe graduated from a small town South Carolina high school and moved to Charleston in 1992 to start her college career at the College of Charleston.  After graduating from the College in 1996 with a BS in Biology, she entered the MUSC College of Pharmacy. Her career in senior care pharmacy had actually already started, as she worked for a long-term care pharmacy before staring pharmacy school, and she continued with them after graduating MUSC in 2000.

Following four years in the corporate world and a significant pharmacy closure, she started Winyah Pharmacy Solutions with several business partners to cater to the needs of seniors in continuum care communities.  Winyah Pharmacy Solutions has since grown into three locations, including Guardian of the Piedmont and Preferred Care Pharmacy.  

In March 2019, after 15 years of cultivating the pharmacy services at Winyah Pharmacy as the director of operations, she started a new role as director of clinical services. In this role, she is responsible for managing consultant pharmacists' duties making sure Winyah is providing the most cost-effective quality consulting, onboarding of new customers, and account management. By acting as a liaison between the customers and the operations leaders, as well as assisting with dispensing and oncall duties, she ensures that the highest quality service is maintained in each account. She also ensures that business plan targets are met by assisting with sales process and relationship building with organizations/customers.

 

White Coat Remarks by Heather Sharpe

Esteemed faculty, proud parents and supporters, and, most importantly, our distinguished students,

It is with Great Honor that I speak to you on a significant milestone on your professional journey, your White Coat Ceremony.  Dr Hall asked that I share my own pharmacy journey and what I wish I had known going into pharmacy school and during pharmacy school. My pharmacy journey began 28 years ago at MUSC and has been my most rewarding accomplishment not only financially but in giving me a sense of fulfillment in my need to serve our community.   It’s great to see all of you in the same space where my journey began, and, if you remember nothing else, remember this.  If you ever look around and think, “I don’t belong, I came from a family where nobody was a pharmacist, or everybody was a lawyer or nobody went to college:  Know this:  YOU BELONG.  It takes all kinds from all backgrounds to work with and relate to the people we serve.

My pharmacy school experience…. Well, I started in the last Bachelor of Science class (entering Fall of 1996) and after a few of my very determined classmates and I convinced the administration to let us join the PHARMD class in our 3^rd year; we became the first 4 year PharmD class to graduate from MUSC (Class of 2000)… If I recall correctly there was one small issue that Dr Karig brought to our attention, two of our classes overlapped; but with perseverance, we divided/conquered, and were able to participate and successfully complete the courses required.  After all my p4 rotations and some really great experiences with my favorite professors (Dr. Chessman, Lapointe, White , Hall to name a few), I chose to continue my career in Long-term Care pharmacy which began while interning as a Pharmacy Technician during the summers and college breaks. 

LTC pharmacy was unknown to many in the public as well as many healthcare professionals, most had never thought about how medications get to Senior Living Communities. Fortunately, my mentor Charles Cooper, one of the founding fathers of Longterm Care pharmacy in SC and fellow MUSC alumnus opened this door for me.  He showed me the way and I encourage you to keep an open mind as you look at the various options you are going to have in forging your own path.  Charles Cooper gave me the opportunity to shadow him and other pharmacists in this field prior to starting pharmacy school.   I was immediately sold on Long-term Care pharmacy and the impact I could have on the lives of Seniors.  Out of pharmacy school I became a consultant pharmacist, then after my mentor passed away, I started a LTC pharmacy with his family that has led to opening 2 additional pharmacies (servicing over 7000 residents in North and South Carolina) and partnering with a company that has 48 pharmacies nationwide. So Now, it is fitting that the two wings of the NEW pharmacy school which are named for Charles Cooper and for me are facing each other.  I cannot express how moved I was when I walked into the new building and saw that.  It was a full-circle moment.  A pay-it-forward kind of feeling.

My career has spanned from clinical, operational, entrepreneurial – all of which are equally rewarding.  My pharmacy background has plowed the way for me to begin new business ventures in related fields. I have been able to capitalize on the contacts I’ve made as a pharmacist.  But more than that, I have to say my most rewarding moments have been conversations with residents in the communities we service.  Personal relationships with your patients/residents/clients/ customers, whatever they are called in your practice setting are so important and so special.  

As I now Reflect on my pharmacy school experience:

I marvel at how much the amazing professors and mentors at MUSC had to offer me… and I regret that I may not have taken full advantage of their willingness to be there for all of us.  That’s why they’re here!  I encourage you to ask questions (lots of questions) and encourage them to challenge you.

Moving forward, you must know that pharmacy is not just becoming what the public thinks a pharmacist is… we are so much more.  We are patient advocates, researchers, clinical specialists, life savers, entrepreneurs and the list go on. As pharmacists, you will become essential members of the healthcare team, ensuring that patients receive the best possible therapeutic outcomes. Your role will be critical in preventing medication errors, advising on drug interactions, and contributing to the overall well-being of the communities you serve. 

GET INVOLVED, become a member of organizations, network with healthcare professionals, know that this is a lifelong learning profession.  The path you have chosen is not an easy one. It requires dedication, continuous learning, and a passion for service. The white coat you receive today is a reminder of these values. It represents the trust that society and your community place in you and the high standards you must uphold.  And remember, you just don’t graduate with a degree in pharmacy and stop learning; it is ever changing and challenging.  The span of changes in my career are mind blowing when I look back on the past 24 years.  

In closing I have a few reminders:

This white coat symbolizes your commitment to the ethical practice of pharmacy and the responsibility you now bear to provide the highest level of care to your future patients.

You are not alone; you are joining a community of professionals who have made significant contributions to the health and well-being of countless individuals and have advocated and will continue to advocate for the profession of pharmacy. 

Remember the support of your family, friends, professors, and mentors. Be proud of the hard work and perseverance that brought you to this day. Know that the many opportunities and challenges that lie ahead will only make you stronger. Don’t give up, remember to ask questions, ask for help when necessary. 

Congratulations, Class of 2028, as they may seem like a life time away, it will fly by so cherish every moment . I hope your crisp white coats inspire you to achieve greatness but to serve humbly with compassion and empathy. The future of pharmacy is bright because you chose to join all that have gone before you, all that have gone before US, in making a difference in this crazy world.