The Wonders of Pharmacy Podcast

In this episode of the Wonders of Pharmacy Podcast, Dr. Tracy Fischer shares how her interests evolved throughout pharmacy school and led her from clinical work to a career in regulatory affairs.
Dr. Fischer explains the important role regulatory affairs professionals play in drug development. Acting almost like the “police” of the process, they ensure that potential medications follow FDA guidelines and are studied safely, ethically, and thoroughly. She walks listeners through the complex journey of developing a medication—from understanding how it works and conducting animal studies to completing clinical trial phases and seeking approval.
She also discusses her research related to potential treatments for autism and offers advice for students interested in exploring careers beyond traditional pharmacy practice. Her recommendations include pursuing internships and fellowships, connecting with professionals in the field, and remaining open to discovering new career paths along the way.

In this episode of the Wonders of Pharmacy Podcast, Dr. Courtney Koogler shares how she found her passion for ambulatory care pharmacy—a field that allows her to build meaningful relationships with patients while helping them better understand their medications and health.
Dr. Koogler discusses counseling patients who want to quit smoking, explore medications such as Ozempic, or better manage diabetes. She explains how continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) allow people to see in real time how food and exercise affect their blood sugar, helping them learn directly from their own bodies.
She also describes the collaborative nature of pharmacy, including how pharmacists work with other healthcare professionals and medication-access coordinators to provide the best possible care. As a preceptor, Dr. Koogler encourages pharmacy students to remain curious and continually ask, “Why?”
Her advice for students considering pharmacy is simple: shadow a pharmacist, spend time observing the profession, and ask plenty of questions.

Pharmacists do much more than fill prescriptions. In this episode of Wonders of Pharmacy, Dr. Tera McIntosh discusses her work as an ambulatory care pharmacist, collaborating with physicians, social workers, and other healthcare professionals to support patients. She explains how pharmacists help patients find appropriate medications, understand how to use them, and get the most benefit from their treatment.
From providing vaccines to guiding patients through nonprescription medication choices, Dr. McIntosh explores the many ways pharmacists help meet community healthcare needs. She also discusses supporting long-term health and why consulting a pharmacist matters—even when a medication does not require a prescription.
Dr. McIntosh also shares how diabetes camp gives University of Kentucky pharmacy students hands-on experience with type 1 diabetes care, including blood sugar monitoring and insulin management. She reflects on how these experiences help future pharmacists connect classroom learning with a deeper understanding of the people they serve.

Why is quitting smoking harder for some people than others? In this episode of Wonders of Pharmacy, neuroscientist Dr. Jill Turner shares her journey into neuroscience and her research on nicotine addiction.
She discusses the challenges of addiction and withdrawal, factors that may influence susceptibility to nicotine addiction, and why experiences with quitting can differ. Dr. Turner also introduces the NRG3 gene and its connection to her research on nicotine withdrawal and returning to smoking.
Along the way, she offers advice on avoiding nicotine addiction and gives listeners a glimpse into the science behind understanding why people start—and struggle to stop.

In this episode, Dr. Adrienne Matson shares the journey that led her to pharmacy and how helping others has made her career so fulfilling. She explains what it takes to become a pharmacist, including the education and training involved, and breaks down the difference between pharmacy interns and residents.
Dr. Matson also discusses her work with the Department of Veterans Affairs, her role in educating healthcare professionals, and her efforts to support pharmacists through continuing education and preceptor development. She explains why pharmacists must continue learning throughout their careers and how strong preceptors help prepare the next generation of pharmacy professionals.
Finally, Dr. Matson offers practical advice to students interested in pharmacy, including how to explore the many career paths available and find the one that best fits their interests, strengths, and goals.

In this episode, Dr. Melanie Dicks discusses her work supporting underserved communities through culturally responsive pharmacy care, improved language access, and community-based services. She shares practical ways pharmacists can expand access to medications, reduce stigma surrounding medication-assisted treatment, and provide care that considers each patient’s unique needs and circumstances.
Listeners will learn how pharmacists serve as advocates and educators beyond dispensing medications, helping patients navigate complex healthcare systems, overcome barriers to care, and identify reliable health information.

In this episode of Wonders of Pharmacy, we sit down with Dr. Aaron Cook to explore the specialized world of neurocritical care pharmacy. Dr. Cook discusses how pharmacists help care for patients experiencing serious conditions such as strokes, traumatic brain injuries, and other critical brain and spine injuries.
He explains how pharmacists personalize medication therapy for critically ill patients, including navigating challenges that can change how quickly medications move through the body. Dr. Cook also discusses why the first hours following a neurological injury can be so important and how pharmacists work alongside other healthcare professionals to help patients receive timely, effective treatment.
The conversation also explores the role of research and mentorship in advancing pharmacy practice. Dr. Cook shares advice for students interested in critical care, neuropharmacy, and discovering the many specialized career paths available within pharmacy.

In this episode of Wonders of Pharmacy, we sit down with Dr. David Feola to explore the connection between pharmacy, infectious diseases, and the immune system. Dr. Feola shares how his experiences as a clinical pharmacist inspired him to study inflammation and the role immune cells called macrophages play in the body's response to disease and injury.
He discusses how researchers are exploring ways to influence these immune cells to reduce harmful inflammation and tissue damage in conditions ranging from pneumonia and cystic fibrosis to heart attacks and spinal cord injuries. Dr. Feola also explains his research using targeted drug-delivery approaches to help protect the heart following a heart attack.
The conversation highlights how pharmacy extends far beyond medications and patient care into research and scientific discovery. Dr. Feola also shares advice for students interested in pharmacy, research, and finding a career path that combines their interests.

In this episode of Wonders of Pharmacy, we sit down with Dr. Tracy Macaulay to explore the important role pharmacists play in protecting and improving heart health. Dr. Macaulay discusses how pharmacists help prevent and manage cardiovascular disease through medication management, transitions of care, patient education, and lifestyle counseling.
She also explains how cardiovascular pharmacy services have evolved, how new research and clinical guidelines influence patient treatment, and why collaboration among healthcare professionals is essential to providing safe and effective care.
The conversation also offers valuable insight for pharmacy students and early-career professionals interested in cardiovascular care, highlighting the many ways pharmacists can make a meaningful difference in patients’ lives.

In this episode of Wonders of Pharmacy, we sit down with Dr. Leigh Ann Keeton to explore her multifaceted career in pharmacy, including her work in infectious diseases, antimicrobial stewardship, and HIV care.
Dr. Keeton explains how pharmacists work alongside physicians and other healthcare professionals to help select the safest and most effective medications for patients. She discusses the importance of using antibiotics appropriately, monitoring patients for side effects and toxicity, and preventing antibiotic resistance so that these lifesaving medications remain effective when they are truly needed.
The conversation also explores the growing public health challenge of antibiotic resistance and the important role pharmacists play in addressing it. Dr. Keeton shares how advances in medication and pharmacist-led care are also helping people living with HIV manage their health and live long, healthy lives.
Finally, Dr. Keeton discusses pharmacy education, opportunities to strengthen the pharmacy workforce in Eastern Kentucky, and advice for pharmacy students as they prepare for successful careers.
From fighting antibiotic resistance to improving individual patient care, this episode highlights the many ways pharmacists make a difference in both their communities and the broader healthcare system.