Notes from the field: Emily Perez does APPE rotation in infection diseases at JCMC

Meet Emily Perez, who did a May 2019 APPE Rotation in Infectious Diseases with Dr. Paul Lewis at Johnson City Medical Center.

Looking back, what made you decide to pursue the rotation?

EP: Honestly, I love everything infectious disease related! I see myself working as an ID clinical pharmacist in the future, so I wanted to give myself every opportunity to learn from a specialist in a clinical setting. 

What was your favorite part of the rotation?

EP: My favorite part of the rotation was seeing all of the different activities that an ID clinical pharmacist is involved in and working on those activities with him. I also really liked the independent learning environment and the preceptor's clear investment in seeing students grow and succeed. 

What surprised you most about the rotation?

EP: The most surprising thing about this rotation was seeing all of the behind-the-scenes responsibilities that an ID clinical pharmacist is in charge of such as making decisions that affect the entire hospital. When I thought of clinical pharmacy before, I only thought of patient care. There is SO much more to it than that. 

What are some of the things you saw and did while on rotation?

EP: While on rotation, I was able to go on rounds early in the morning in the ICU, round with an infectious diseases physician in the afternoons, visit the microbiology lab to see the processes that the microbiologists go through for cultures and susceptibility testing, help with research projects, attend antimicrobial stewardship meetings, help with delabeling penicillin allergies, and so much more. 

How do you believe you made an impact on this rotation?

EP: I believe I made an impact on this rotation by always being excited to learn and taking initiative. I wanted to learn as much as I possibly could within the month, so I took advantage of every opportunity provided. 

How did Gatton help prepare you for your rotation? Feel free to mention a specific class or faculty member.

Our infectious diseases class was very challenging and gave me a good foundation for when I got to rotations. More than that, at the end of my second year, I was matched to JCMC for my two-week introductory institutional rotation. I had an amazing preceptor, Dr. Cathy Lawson, who let me shadow different pharmacists within the hospital, including the ID pharmacist, Dr. Paul Lewis. 

How will the rotation assist you in future career goals?

EP: The skills that I learned and the experiences I've had on this rotation will prepare me for working in the hospital and introduced me to what residency could be like. 

Have your professional interests changed as a result of this rotation, and if so, how?

EP: My professional interests were not changed as a result of this rotation, but they were confirmed. When you go through different classes, you find topics that interest you. It's difficult to tell what you'll actually want to do in the future until you see it outside of the classroom. 

Would you recommend this rotation to other students?  

EP: I would 100% recommend this rotation to other students. Even if you're not interested in infectious diseases, Dr. Lewis teaches practical skills for whatever field of pharmacy you want to pursue. 

How would you describe this rotation to other students?

EP: Fun, challenging, diverse, self-directed, good for students interested in pursuing residency. This rotation is what you make of it. If you want to learn and you're willing to work hard, this could very well end up being your favorite rotation. The opportunities are there if want to learn and have a great experience like I did. 

Is there anything else you would like to add?

EP: My ID rotation was half research work and half regular rotation work. I would highly recommend getting involved in research of some type if you really want to learn and retain information about certain topics. Dr. Lewis is heavily involved in research and is a great resource for students interested in this.