Success Stories
From Retail to…
Keenan Rea, PharmD
From Retail to Ambulatory Care
Coaching gave me the tools to market myself better…
My coach helped build up my confidence and gave me the tools to market myself better. I fought for myself a little more.
I currently have a position in a community health system as an ambulatory care clinical pharmacist — exactly what I was looking for.
Rachel Prescott, PharmD
From Retail to Community Care
I have a lot more job satisfaction
Carl Muckerheide, PharmD
From Retail to Consulting
Keep the hope!
The biggest takeaway is never stop plugging away, don’t do it alone, lean on your fellow pharmacists and keep the hope.
Melissa Turner, PharmD
From Retail to Founder of a PGx Consulting
I want to tell everybody that coaching had been such a wonderful experience…
I’ve learned a lot about myself and what I want and don’t want. I’m very happy with how things turned out. I didn’t know that I would be where I am right now but I’m happy that I’m here.
Marissa McInnis, PharmD
From Retail to Inpatient (No Residency)
Keep striving to not settle
Yvonne Agyekum, PharmD
From Retail to Long Term Care
My happiness factor shot through the roof
Jennifer Aiken, PharmD
From Retail to Mail Order
I would not be in this place without The Happy PharmD…
Then my husband said I am worth the money to do coaching.
My main focus is to open up a nonprofit pharmacy called Good Shepherd here in Nashville and there’s absolutely no way I would be in this place without The Happy PharmD.
If you’ve been trying to find something different and you haven’t been successful in doing that, go through this process because it’s definitely worth the money.
Ann Marie Mohan, PharmD
From Retail to Market Access Strategy
Enough of this…
I know I want it to happen but I don’t know how to get there, and coaching was that natural progression that gave me that focus that I needed to make that happen.
Rosanna Sutherby, PharmD
From Retail to Medical Writing
After coaching I have a lot more confidence
Miriam Opara, PharmD
From Retail to Medical Writing
I was a place in my career that I felt burnt out doing the same work for four years..
June Stevens, PharmD
From Retail to Medical Writing
Think of coaching as giving yourself specialized intervention…
The biggest thing that coaching did for me was help me shift my mindset from just running away from this crappy job to running towards something that I was excited about. And when you are moving toward something that you’re excited about, you become a person that people want to hire.
Now I have so much more energy in the day. I do not dread my job. My husband says it’s so nice to sit with someone and say, “Hey, how was work” and it doesn’t turn into a 30-minute venting session.
Kelsa Benzing, PharmD
From Retail to Oncology Specialty
I got to a point where I was just ready to quit…
I looked at other coaching programs and this is the only one I found which has pharmacists helping pharmacists.
The program was literally life-changing. I work from home now and I love it. I have better work-life balance, I don’t dread going to work anymore, I now have a lot more time with my husband and actually be a happy human!
John Stapf, PharmD
From Retail to Operations
Figuring out what you’re passionate about
Rineil Perez, PharmD
From Retail to Outpatient Specialty
Gave me confidence to pursue any new challenge
Imran Shaikh, PharmD
From Retail to Pharmacovigilance
Trust the process…
I used the salary negotiation tactics from The Happy PharmD and working with a coach put me in a spot where I wouldn’t have been if I were just on job search by myself.
I ended up looking at Pharma companies and they offered me a full-time associate position.
You have to really want something for coaching to even be of any use to you. Trust the process and trust yourself.
Yustina Hong, PharmD
From Retail to Residency
I was afraid of being rejected.
Chris helped me change focus: to improve myself rather than escape my current situation. The entire coaching program was very well structured and I really liked how my coach was always available when I needed help.
Just having a coach was a very, very healthy way to vent out your strength and refocus your direction. He was always an accountable partner.
Sebastian Latina, PharmD
From Retail to Digital Pharmacy
The program gave me the blueprint I needed…
I thought my resume was good enough and I was applying like crazy on LinkedIn. I realized that it’s a tough thing to get to do and it’s not that simple. The program gave me the blueprint I needed to fix my situation. The pharmacy career is so competitive now so you need to go about it the right way. The program opened up my eyes to that.
If someone puts in time and effort to follow the program the way it’s written out, there’s no reason why they shouldn’t get want they want from this.
Nupoor Kalke, PharmD
From Retail to Clinical
If I hadn’t worked with you, I would still be in retail, crying in a corner…
I found the Happy PharmD on Facebook purely by accident. I reached out and I am so glad that I did as the jobs started coming in.
The burnout was real but now I’m happier, I am energized, and renewed, and I started traveling — I want to be a part of life again. Even my mailman said, ‘You don’t look sad anymore”.
Do it, you will NOT regret this. It was money very well spent as my payoff was bigger — I am so much happier. To me, there is no amount of money to compensate for hating your job so. I can’t put into words how grateful I am that I found you guys. It has all the difference for me.
Eboni Ramsey, PharmD
From Retail to State Behavior Health Hospital
The best investment ever…
I was stressed, I was feeling like I was running on a hamster wheel with no way out. It was a rough time.
I was putting out application after application but either getting a rejection or getting nothing, not even a reply.
So I made a decision to invest in myself, I decided to take the leap and do the program.
I am now working in a State Behavior Health Hospital — the best case scenario set up that could have worked for my career and personal life, especially as a mom.
It was definitely the best investment ever.
Bernice Koo, PharmD
From Retail to Toxicology
My transition is totally worth it…
I started out pharmacy cashier and decided to go back to school to be a pharmacist. After that, I came back to retail but then I would go through this cycle of hating my life. I don’t want to come home dreading work, I needed to change something but I don’t know where to go from here.
I got connected with my coach, Janan, and we went through different pathways of pharmacy. That’s when I transitioned and learned to be comfortable with another company.
I told my parents my transition is totally worth it. It’s reinvigorating to learn all this stuff and rebuild myself.
Taylor Lucic, PharmD
From Inpatient to Poison Information Specialist
I felt very supported the whole way through…
I really enjoyed my time with HPD, Jackie was very supportive. I probably sent her a million drafts of my resume and she was happy to look over and get it back to me. I just felt very supported the whole way through.
Anna Schemel, PharmD
From Retail to Industry
My coach being a pharmacist made such a huge difference…
I never got an interview but when I applied with the resume that my coach and I made, I got hired the next day. My husband noticed that my confidence had gone up and kept saying he was glad I went into coaching.
My coach made me feel like I was valuable again…it was worth it.
What do you have to lose? Do you want to spend another day, another month, another year doing this? I didn’t. The fact that my coach was a pharmacist also made such a huge difference. That was amazing having someone who knew what I was talking about.
Salam Kabbani, PharmD
From Retail to Infectious Diseases
Now, life is fantastic…
Have someone seasoned to get you from point A to point B…
I was a little deflated from not being in the job that I really wanted to be in. I was confused about where I wanted to go with my career.
Coaching helped me find clarity. It’s an ego boost to empower you to achieve your dreams. You have goals that you have to meet each week, which really holds you accountable.
In less than a year later, I landed an inpatient infectious disease role.
Now, life is fantastic. I am working in a place where there’s a very great culture, and my personality fits in very well with everyone around me. I genuinely wake up, I’m excited to go to work. I’m able to have a life outside of work.
Katie Lozano, PharmD
From Operations to Remote PBM
It would have taken me so much more time if it wasn’t for the Happy PharmD.
I talked to my husband and I said I just want to have like an emergency ripcord that I can just get out of my current job, and the Happy PharmD came up on my LinkedIn. In my last position I was so unhappy. I thought, I want to do anything except for this.
My coach helped me to really focus on the things that I do like about my job so it’s just not about finding something else that’s just different, but picking something that I actually want to do, something that also aligns with my personal life priorities, so don’t end up in the same situation all over again.
I think the time that it would have taken me to figure out how to navigate the current job market would have cost me so much more time and money than coaching did.
Now that I’ve moved to a remote role, it’s a total game changer for my family, it changes everything, it’s glorious!
No experience? No problem!
From Independent pharmacy to…
Michaela Hasan, PharmD
From Community Pharmacist (Compounding) to Hospital
Open your perspective of what possibilities there are…
The coaching program really emphasized networking so I kept in touch with my preceptors and it really helped me. Because my preceptors knew me, I got a new position where I’m going to be the main pharmacist — it’s just something I would never thought would exist.
A coach can really open your perspective of what possibilities there are. If you are tired of everything, if you feel stuck, if you feel like you are in this little hamster wheel and you don’t even know where you’re at, definitely make that jump. I’m glad I did.
AnnMarie Graziadio, PharmD
From Pharmacist to Senior Medical Science Liaison
I can’t say enough great things about it…
I honestly feel like if it weren’t for The Happy PharmD, I would not have been able to transition this seamlessly and find the fit that I did during COVID.
Shama Patel, PharmD
From Compounding to Medical Affairs
I have my spark back
From Hospital to…
Michelle Ndiulor, PharmD
From Outpatient Health System to Academia
I wanted to find a place where I can reignite my passion…
I got paired with a coach who was amazing because her expertise was extensive. She was able to bring a lot of insight into what academia is all about and has been a huge cheerleader in the background.
It’s been really exciting. I was able to move and am now closer to my family and loved ones.
Erika Gray, PharmD
From Hospital to Entrepreneur
You always gain from coaching. It will always take you to that next level…
I recognized that I was not going to get from point A to point B without someone guiding and helping me through the process.
There are substantial benefits, not only to the business but also personal development.
Shelly Carter, PharmD
From Managed Care to Digital Health
I just felt like this was the place to be…
The videos that you have and my coach doing the mock interviews with me…it was just amazing. One employer that I turned down, even after three/four months after that, emailed me still wanting to make me an offer.
I’m still in managed care with unlimited sick time, unlimited personal time, unlimited vacation, and being able to take my daughter to school every day. I just felt like this was the place to be.
The more you work to become a better version of yourself, the more you can blossom and grow. Be willing to take risks. Don’t even think about the money, trust me the money will come, and the job offers will come.
Emily Kirkworld, PharmD
Coaching completely changed my quality of life…
I have this passion and interest in natural family planning but my mindset was, “Well, I haven’t seen any job postings so I don’t know where to find a job doing that”. Then, my coach said to me, “You could create your own position as this could be an opportunity for you to make your own career path”. And so I started a business.
I’ve never would have considered this route for myself if I haven’t done coaching and this is priceless for me.
It’s completely changed my quality of life and I have a sense of fulfillment that what I’m doing is really my calling.
You can figure out a lot of things on your own but if you are really ready to make a change and you want the change to happen in the near future. hiring a coach is the best way to ignite that fire to get that change going.
Tulsi Shah, PharmD
From Hospital to Remote Jobs
I now love being a pharmacist…
My job went from being my dream job that I couldn’t imagine ever leaving to completely something that urged me to look for something different. If I had to hear the word ‘pill’ one more time, I felt that I was going to explode.
My coach provided me with a lot of validation. She’s very experienced and knowledgeable and provided me with an understanding of what my experience really means. I learned how to mold what I’ve learned and what I’ve done.
My coach put things into perspective. She was my cheerleader. I now love being a pharmacist.
Julie Tuccillo-Stracener
The #1 most important thing is to network your butt off!
The #1 most important thing is to network your butt off! To help you decide what to do, to make those connections, and to get to know people and to let people get to know you so that they’re willing to advocate for you. Just relax and trust it.
It’s hard because I was already experiencing burnout, so to come in when I felt beaten down and my confidence had taken a hit, and then to trust the networking process when I don’t feel confident was really hard, that was the biggest hurdle.
But the #1 thing I needed from my coach was confirmation that I should reach out to people I don’t know. Without having done that, I wouldn’t have been able to commit to looking for an MSL role.
Side Hustles
Timothy Ulbrich, PharmD
From Asst Dean to Entrepreneur!
The learning experience has been incredible…
Learn more about Tim’s Story by clicking this link.
Jennifer Fernandez, PharmD
From Retail to Functional Medicine Business
It’s an investment in your present and your future…
That’s where I found coaching. I needed help and I’d exhausted all other options. Instead of somebody telling me what to do, I found someone to guide me, to help me organize my thoughts.
I have launched my own functional medicine practice, it’s called Your Holistic Wellness. I’m still getting my feet wet but I’ve definitely gained a lot of confidence. Coaching is a financial investment, but it’s an investment in your present and your future.
Milena Murray, PharmD
From Clinical Pharmacist to Medical Writing
Put yourself in the best possible place to get that position…
Jamie Wilkey, PharmD
From Physician Liaison to Pharmacogenomic Coaching and Functional Wellness Program Implementation
I was tired of doing the same thing for 11 years…
David Kingsbury, PharmD
From Retail to Entrepreneur
Think of coaching as an investment…
I went into coaching with an open mind and from the very beginning, felt a connection with my coach. She was there to dig into the process of what I needed to do, she was very motivating, uplifting and inspirational…exactly what I needed at that time.
If you’re thinking about coaching, definitely go ahead and do it. Think of it as an investment because it’s definitely worth it.
Other Career Transitions
Juli Sanchez, PharmD
From Pharmacist to Academia
I’ve had it…
When I learned about the people that The Happy PharmD had helped, it seemed like the logical place to go. About a week ago, I got a position that will enable me to transition into academia: a part-time teacher at a community college teaching pharmacy technicians. I start in two weeks!
I’m thrilled to death to be able to use my education and knowledge and be able to help people the way I’ve always wanted to without all of the red tape that goes along with being in a community pharmacy.
David Steinberg, PharmD
From Licensed Consultant Pharmacist to Director of Pharmacy Insights
It’s a whole new different world….
So I went through the program, beefed up my resume and we talked about interview skills. I wasn’t on LinkedIn at all, that is where I found my current job, so that was something I learned a lot about.
Being a pharmacist, you can be stuck with your hours. My new job just took all that off my shoulders. I now have the flexibility, I can get my opinions in…I really like that a lot. It’s a whole new different world.
Konjit Zena, PharmD
From Senior Medical Information Associate to Medical Information Operation Specialist
Change is possible…
That was really the one thing that hit home — the belief that change is possible.
Julianne Vanderhoogt-Davis, PharmD
From Clinical Pharmacy to MSL
I felt pigeonholed and stuck…
Coaching was a little overwhelming at first but once I got into it, I found it really useful and I enjoyed the relationship that I developed with my coach. It was a very holistic approach to me getting what I wanted out of my career and my life.
Now in my new role in MSL, the flexibility is great. I feel very reinvigorated with being passionate about what I do again.
So look at coaching as an experience to uncover your best selves. It’s an investment in yourself.
Bryant Cary, PharmD
From Pharmacist to Pharmacy Performance Manager
I was a place in my career that I felt burnt out doing the same work for four years..
Laurie, PharmD
From Infusion Pharmacy to Specialty
As scary as it is, it was definitely worth it.
You are probably skeptical and think it’s a lot of money (and it is) but it’s an investment, you’ll get your money back essentially. There are so many invaluable skills that I’ve learned that cannot be taken away from me that I am using to progress my life and career in so many different ways.
So as scary as it is, it was definitely worth it. You get out of it what you put into it. It worth the dive, it pays off if you want it to.
Neal Hansel, PharmD
From Contracted Pharmacist to Retail
I learned a LOT from the program…
The thing that I’ve learned through the whole thing is that you take personal responsibility for your mistakes. You learn about who you were and who you want to become. The tips and the guides through the program on how to get through all that have helped me.
Sam An, PharmD
From Community to Long-Term Care Pharmacy Consultant
Know how much power you have, know that you can always make a change…
I was the pharmacy manager at an independent compounding and community pharmacy in the Midwest. It got to the point where more and more of what I was doing was not fulfilling me.
Having worked with my coach, I figured out how to write resumes and CVs in a way that got me noticed. I have done more interviews in that period than just piddling along on LinkedIn and Indeed.
I can confidently say that I’m now content. I’m happy. I have high job satisfaction. I have good work-life balance.
Spouse Testimonials
Cassie Jenks
It is a worthwhile investment for my spouse...
Interactions with his coach have given him a lot more confidence that his goals are doable. It kept him leveled through the ups and downs, which were an inevitable part when you are challenging yourself to do something new and different. The greatest return on the investment was more than the money -- it's the mindset shift.
Bill Murray
She made her money back in a few months -- a crazy fast amount of time.
My wife, Milena Murray, has always been very successful. When she came to me about signing up for coaching, I had questions. What will you get out of this? Will it pay itself back? How is this going to help you feel about yourself as a professional?
She made her money back in a few months -- a crazy fast amount of time. It helped her push forward her side hustles and a lot of that, she credits back to this program. She feels better about herself professionally as well.
If anyone has the position to make this investment, know that it also takes internal drive. You have to invest in yourself too to actually get it to pay off. The amount of effort you're willing to put in is just how successful you are going to be with the program.
Yes, you can think about the likelihood that you're going to at least break even under return of investment but then also, how is your spouse? Is their demeanor going to change? Is this going to give them more confidence even if it doesn't yield to an extra dollar earned? It can work that way too.
Erica Moody
Coaching was a game-changer...
My husband's job turned into a soul-sucking job which started to affect his health, our kids and our home life. I felt very helpless as there's not a whole lot that I can do. I just had to watch him job hunt and not really get anywhere.
It was a full year before he considered coaching. We sat down and talked about the pros and cons and he told me it was an investment. I wasn't super excited about the cost and I was skeptical but I wanted to support him. He was excited, he was hopeful and so we did it.
There was change -- there was a light about him as he was going through the program. I could see his confidence come back. He started to find himself again.
His newest position is a dream come true, not just for him, but for our family. He is able to thrive and not just survive. Because of the coaching program, he was able to tap into his potential -- it was a game-changer in his life. The program has blessed and changed our lives for the better.