324. PharmDs in IT - From Pharmacy School to Full Stack Engineer feat. Dr. Khanh Theresa Mai

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.

Key Topics Discussed

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  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.

  
  


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  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.

  
  


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  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.

  
  


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  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.


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Network with other pharmacists at Pharmacists Connect!
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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.