Originally recorded in 2024

In this fascinating episode, Tony sits down with Dr. Mai, a pharmacist-turned-full-stack software engineer. She shares her unconventional journey from clinical pharmacy to health tech, her candid thoughts on the gaps in pharmacy education, and actionable advice for pharmacists interested in breaking into the technology space.

• Her Career Path: Dr. Mai graduated from pharmacy school and started her career in hospital pharmacy, and transitioned to pharmacy informatics before making a leap into software engineering via a coding boot camp.

• The Pharmacy-Tech Gap: Dr. Mai highlights the lack of technology education in most pharmacy curriculums, even as pharmacists regularly interact with advanced tech systems, EMRs, and automation in their daily workflow.

• Her Work in Informatics: She recounts her role managing Nebraska’s Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP), integrating it with EMRs, and improving statewide medication data access.

• Transition to Software Engineering: After informatics, Dr. Mai pursued a full coding bootcamp, took on her first tech role at a startup, and eventually found her way back to healthcare tech where she could combine her clinical and technical expertise.

Advice for Pharmacists Considering Tech:

• The importance of networking and “selling yourself” in tech interviews
• Translating clinical experience into technical language on resumes
• Keeping running lists of technical projects or ideas from pharmacy work
• Tips for tailoring resumes for technical roles and leveraging different formats (CV vs. resume)

PharmDs in IT Project: Dr. Mai gives a sneak peek into her side project—an online platform connecting clinicians with tech roles in healthcare, allowing users to search for jobs by clinical specialty.

Links: https://linktr.ee/pharmdsinit https://www.linkedin.com/in/astropharmacist/ https://pharmdsinit.com You can reach Dr Mai at khanhmai@creighton.edu

Disclaimer: Views expressed are those of the individuals and do not reflect thoughts and opinions of any entity with which speakers have been, is now, or will be affiliated.
New to LinkedIn and not sure where to start? Download my free ebook, "Professional Networking Unlocked", at https://www.tonydaopharmd.com/#ebook
Follow us on social media!
Twitter: @pharmacyitme
Instagram: @pharmacyinformatics
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/pharmacyitme/
Website: Pharmacy IT & Me
Email: tony@pharmacyitme.com
Follow Tony's personal Twitter account at @tonydaopharmd

Network with other pharmacists at Pharmacists Connect!
http://pharmacistsconnect.com

For more information on pharmacy informatics, check out some of the following useful links:

ASHP's Section of Pharmacy Informatics and Technology: https://www.ashp.org/Pharmacy-Informaticist/Section-of-Pharmacy-Informatics-and-Technology/
HIMSS: https://www.himss.org/resources/pharmacy-informatics-and-its-cross-functional-role-healthcare

Disclaimer: Views expressed are my own and do not reflect thoughts and opinions of any entity with which I have been, am now, or will be affiliated.

Intended Audience: Everyone

I'm excited to share highlights from an insightful new episode featuring a panel discussion with my colleagues, Drs. Aaron Tse, Phuong Wood, and Kevin Tian. This episode brings you lessons learned from seasoned informatics pharmacists, reflecting on years of experience and the ever-evolving landscape of pharmacy IT.

Key Takeaways & Lessons Learned:

1. If It Can Break, It Probably Will Kevin underscores the importance of thoughtful proofing of IT systems and workflows. Everything must be robustly validated and meticulously documented because, as he puts it, “users will always find a way around things—whether intentionally or not!” ➡️ Documentation is your safety net for when things go awry or users take unanticipated shortcuts.

2. The Power of Knowing the Full Process Phuong shares how understanding workflows from start to finish is crucial. Her experience managing medication billing and troubleshooting claim rejections revealed just how important it is to grasp the entire process—not just your silo. ➡️ The more you know about upstream and downstream effects, the better you can problem-solve and support your colleagues.

3. Don’t Take “No” for an Answer Aaron encourages all informatics professionals not to settle for the first “no”—especially from vendors or even within your own IT teams. Always dig deeper: is it a technical limitation, a resource issue, or simply a lack of knowledge? ➡️ Keep asking—sometimes solutions are possible with a little persistence!

4. Consistency & Team Cohesion The group discusses the importance of having a unified approach as a team. Even when documentation is lacking, shared values and consistent methods ensure smooth handoffs and reliable support for end users.

A final piece of advice is everyone should always be open to learning, prioritize effectively, and—above all—never forget you’re a pharmacist first. Whether you’re building, troubleshooting, or translating needs between teams, patient care is at the heart of everything you do.

Disclaimer: Views expressed are those of the individuals and do not reflect thoughts and opinions of any entity with which speakers have been, is now, or will be affiliated.
New to LinkedIn and not sure where to start? Download my free ebook, "Professional Networking Unlocked", at https://www.tonydaopharmd.com/#ebook
Follow us on social media!
Twitter: @pharmacyitme
Instagram: @pharmacyinformatics
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/pharmacyitme/
Website: Pharmacy IT & Me
Email: tony@pharmacyitme.com
Follow Tony's personal Twitter account at @tonydaopharmd

Network with other pharmacists at Pharmacists Connect!
http://pharmacistsconnect.com

For more information on pharmacy informatics, check out some of the following useful links:

ASHP's Section of Pharmacy Informatics and Technology: https://www.ashp.org/Pharmacy-Informaticist/Section-of-Pharmacy-Informatics-and-Technology/
HIMSS: https://www.himss.org/resources/pharmacy-informatics-and-its-cross-functional-role-healthcare

Disclaimer: Views expressed are my own and do not reflect thoughts and opinions of any entity with which I have been, am now, or will be affiliated.

Intended Audience: Residency Applicants

Panel: Beju Shah, David Vu, Brian Fung, Tony Dao

36% of all participants did not match this year for ASHP Match Day: https://natmatch.com/ashprmp/stats/2025applstats-ph1.pdf

Check out Brian's Listing of Phase 2 Residencies via Unscripted Rx: https://www.unscripted-rx.com/phase2

🎙️📢 In today's reposted episode from 2019, join us for a valuable panel discussion where we explore the next steps if you find yourself unmatched for pharmacy residency. Remember, it's essential to know that it's okay—this setback isn't the end of the world. There are numerous paths to reach your goal, and we share our stories of not matching and what we did. 💼💊

Tune in as we delve into insights, alternative routes, and our personal stories navigating not matching. From gaining additional experience to exploring non-traditional opportunities, our discussion aims to empower and reassure those facing this hurdle in their pharmacy career journey. 🌟

Remember, setbacks can often lead to unexpected opportunities and growth. So take heart, stay determined, and know that your dream of a pharmacy career is still within reach, no matter the path you take. 🛤️💡

**Intended Audience: **

Disclaimer: Views expressed are those of the individuals and do not reflect thoughts and opinions of any entity with which speakers have been, is now, or will be affiliated.
New to LinkedIn and not sure where to start? Download my free ebook, "Professional Networking Unlocked", at https://www.tonydaopharmd.com/ebook
Follow us on social media!
Twitter: @pharmacyitme
Instagram: @pharmacyinformatics
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/pharmacyitme/
Website: Pharmacy IT & Me
Email: tony@pharmacyitme.com
Follow Tony's personal Twitter account at @tonydaopharmd

Network with other pharmacists at Pharmacists Connect!
http://pharmacistsconnect.com

For more information on pharmacy informatics, check out some of the following useful links:

ASHP's Section of Pharmacy Informatics and Technology: https://www.ashp.org/Pharmacy-Informaticist/Section-of-Pharmacy-Informatics-and-Technology/
HIMSS: https://www.himss.org/resources/pharmacy-informatics-and-its-cross-functional-role-healthcare

Disclaimer: Views expressed are my own and do not reflect thoughts and opinions of any entity with which I have been, am now, or will be affiliated.