The Wonders of Pharmacy Podcast

What happens when a medical emergency occurs far from a hospital—or involves a dangerous medication, substance, or poison? In this episode, Dr. Jordan Woolum discusses his career as an emergency medicine pharmacist and clinical toxicologist at UK HealthCare. He explains the important role pharmacists play in the emergency department, where they help healthcare teams make rapid medication decisions during critical situations.
Dr. Woolum also introduces the fascinating field of wilderness medicine, which focuses on providing care in remote environments where medical resources may be limited. He shares practical considerations for preparing for outdoor emergencies and discusses how factors such as extreme temperatures and improper storage may affect medications. The conversation also explores toxicology, sports supplements, common household exposures, and when someone should contact Poison Control.
Listeners will gain a better understanding of the diverse careers available in pharmacy and how pharmacists help protect patients both inside and outside the hospital.

Cardiovascular disease remains one of the leading health challenges in the world—but what can we do to better understand and prevent it?
In this episode of The Wonders of Pharmacy Podcast, Dr. Hend Mansoor shares her expertise in cardiovascular health and discusses the many factors that can influence a person’s risk for heart disease. From genetics and lifestyle to medications and prevention, Dr. Mansoor explores what research is teaching us about protecting our hearts and improving cardiovascular health.
She also shares her journey into pharmacy and cardiovascular research, giving listeners a look at how pharmacists contribute to patient care, research, and the prevention and management of chronic disease. For students interested in pharmacy, medicine, research, or cardiovascular health, Dr. Mansoor offers insight into the opportunities available in this important field.
Join us for a conversation about heart health, cardiovascular disease, and the role pharmacists can play in helping people live healthier lives.

What does it look like when pharmacists take an active role in caring for their communities?
In this episode of The Wonders of Pharmacy Podcast, Dr. Clark Kebodeaux shares his journey into pharmacy and the experiences that shaped his career. He discusses caring for patients in underserved communities, including his work with diabetes and other chronic conditions, and the important role pharmacists can play in improving access to care.
Dr. Kebodeaux also talks about training the next generation of pharmacists through community-based pharmacy residency programs and how the profession continues to expand beyond the traditional pharmacy counter. He shares lessons from his career and advice for students interested in exploring the many possibilities a career in pharmacy can offer.

How can a career in pharmacy grow from caring for patients to leading the next generation of pharmacists?
In this episode of The Wonders of Pharmacy Podcast, Dr. Craig Martin shares his journey from growing up in Kentucky and discovering pharmacy to becoming an infectious diseases specialist, educator, and leader at the University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy.
Dr. Martin discusses his work in infectious diseases and antimicrobial stewardship, including the important role pharmacists play in making sure antibiotics are used safely and effectively. He also shares how his career evolved beyond clinical practice into teaching and leadership.
Along the way, Dr. Martin offers insight into the many directions a pharmacy career can take and advice for high school and college students who are beginning to explore their own futures in healthcare. His story shows that a pharmacy degree can open doors to patient care, education, leadership, and much more.

Most people don't realize there's a pharmacist working alongside physicians and nurses in the emergency department—but their expertise can make a critical difference in patient care.
In this episode of The Wonders of Pharmacy Podcast, we sit down with Dr. Gavin Howington, an emergency medicine and critical care pharmacist at the University of Kentucky, to explore what it's really like to work on the front lines of healthcare. Dr. Howington shares his journey into emergency medicine pharmacy, what a typical day in the emergency department looks like, and how pharmacists help make fast, evidence-based decisions in high-pressure situations.
We also discuss fascinating topics such as rabies exposure and why post-exposure treatment is so important, newer approaches to pain management like subdissociative ketamine, and how emergency departments are adapting to better care for patients with opioid use disorder.
Whether you're a student considering a career in pharmacy, curious about what pharmacists do beyond dispensing medications, or simply interested in emergency medicine, this episode offers an inside look at a fast-paced and rewarding specialty. Dr. Howington also shares practical advice for students interested in emergency medicine, including the value of shadowing pharmacists, seeking mentorship, and taking initiative to explore the profession.

Community pharmacists do much more than fill prescriptions—they play a vital role in preventing disease, improving health, and supporting patients throughout their lives. In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Brooke Hudspeth from the University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy to explore the expanding role of community pharmacists in preventing and managing chronic diseases, with a special focus on type 2 diabetes.
We discuss how pharmacists provide services like health screenings, vaccinations, and evidence-based prevention programs, including the National Diabetes Prevention Program. Dr. Hudspeth also shares how her team secured a CDC grant to expand pharmacy-led prevention services and explains why community pharmacies are uniquely positioned to improve access to healthcare.
Join us as we learn how today's community pharmacists are transforming patient care, collaborating with healthcare and public health partners, and making a lasting impact on the health of their communities.

When most people think of the emergency room, they picture doctors and nurses rushing to help patients. But did you know pharmacists are also an essential part of the emergency care team?
In this episode of The Wonders of Pharmacy Podcast, we sit down with Dr. Regan Baum, an emergency medicine pharmacist at the University of Kentucky, to learn what it's like to care for patients when every second matters. Dr. Baum explains how emergency pharmacists work alongside physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals to quickly choose the safest and most effective medications for patients facing serious illnesses and injuries.
From responding to life-threatening emergencies to helping make split-second medication decisions, you'll discover how pharmacists play a critical role in the emergency department. Dr. Baum also shares what drew her to this exciting specialty, the challenges and rewards of working in such a fast-paced environment, and the skills needed to succeed in emergency medicine.
Whether you're curious about healthcare careers or simply want to know what happens behind the scenes in an emergency room, this episode offers an exciting look at one of pharmacy's most dynamic specialties—and how pharmacists help save lives every day.

Antibiotics have saved millions of lives, but using them the wrong way can make infections harder to treat. In this episode of The Wonders of Pharmacy, we sit down with Dr. Ashlan Kunz Coyne, an infectious diseases pharmacist and researcher at the University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy, to explore how pharmacists help fight infectious diseases and protect the effectiveness of antibiotics.
Dr. Kunz Coyne explains how antibiotics work, why they should only be used when necessary, and what antibiotic resistance means for our future. She also discusses the important role of the human microbiome and how antibiotics can affect the beneficial bacteria that help keep us healthy.
You'll also get a glimpse into how researchers are using new technologies, including machine learning, to better understand infections and improve patient care. Along the way, Dr. Kunz Coyne shares what inspired her career and how pharmacists work with healthcare teams to ensure patients receive the safest and most effective treatments.
Whether you're a student, parent, or simply curious about medicine, this episode offers an engaging introduction to infectious diseases, antibiotic stewardship, and the vital role pharmacists play in keeping our communities healthy.

In the inaugural episode of the Wonders of Pharmacy Podcast, we sit down with Dr. Olufunmilola Abraham, professor, researcher, and founder of the CRoME Lab at the University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy, to explore how game-based learning is transforming pharmacy education and community engagement.
Discover how innovative educational games are helping students, families, and future healthcare professionals learn complex health concepts through hands-on, interactive experiences. Dr. Abraham shares the inspiration behind creating engaging learning tools, the science that supports learning through play, and how these approaches are making pharmacy more accessible, memorable, and enjoyable for people of all ages.
Whether you're a student considering a career in pharmacy, an educator looking for creative teaching strategies, a healthcare professional, or simply curious about the many roles pharmacists play in improving health, this conversation offers valuable insights into the future of health education.
Join us as we uncover how creativity, research, and innovation are changing the way people learn about pharmacy—one game at a time.