Jonathan Girnys

Specialty

I am a pharmacy resident completing a PGY2 residency in Health System Pharmacy Administration (HSPA) at Lee Memorial Health System in Fort Myers, Florida. Upon completion of my residency training, my goal is to become an acute care operation pharmacy manager or serve as a director of clinical services where a focus on leadership progression, teaching, and optimization of patient outcomes through interdisciplinary medication management is a priority.

Role

My primary role balances both clinical patient-centered care and continuity of care in pharmacy operational services. The PGY2 rotations are longitudinal with emphasized areas of proficiency that include medication-use safety/quality, financial management, human resources, information systems, project management, administrative leadership and education competency. During this residency, I work closely with five acute care facility pharmacy directors as well as the system director of pharmacy and the chief administration officer. Currently, I serve as chair of the health-system interdisciplinary medication safety committee developing policy with physicians, nurses, and clinical educators to ensure positive patient results. I am also a member of several system committees including Pharmacy & Therapeutics, Clinical Specialists, and System Quality and Safety.

How He Got There

Pharmacy leadership and education has been a personal interest early in my education after involvement in several organizations at the University of Georgia College of Pharmacy. While pursuing advanced professional development as a post graduate year one pharmacy practice resident, I worked to create a customized training plan that focused on active student mentoring and topic discussion facilitation. During this residency tenure, I completed an extended academia rotation and received my teaching certificate at the University of Florida College of Pharmacy. This experience helped me to create, develop and chair the Resident Student Forum within our institution where students wishing to improve their clinical pharmacy education would routinely meet with residents to discuss interviews, curriculum vitae preparation, and techniques to organize themselves for the pursuit of residencies training.

While completing my PGY2 year in HSPA, I was thrilled to be accepted into the ASHP Foundation Pharmacy Leadership Academy (PLA). The PLA is a one year, seven-module program taught by nationally distinguished pharmacy practice leaders aimed at honing leadership skills to facilitate change and innovation within the pharmacy profession. As a pharmacy leadership academy mentee, I work with classmates across the country and abroad receiving knowledge and proficiency needed to be an effective leader while using these credit hours towards a MBA.

Other Professional Activities

Last month while serving as the state’s resident representative for the Florida Society of Health System Pharmacists (FSHP) Council of Student Affairs, I moderated the Student Track at the FSHP annual meeting. While coordinating this event, I organized fellow PGY2 and PGY1 residents from various specialties and programs across the state to participate in a Residency Round Table session with over 250 students. Currently, I serve as Chair of membership within FSHP and am a House of Delegates member in the state of Florida. I am an active member of ASHP, AACP and the Southern Gulf Society within FSHP and am involved with FSHP-PAC striving to bring provider status to the state of Florida.

Advanced Training

At this time, I am completing my PGY2 in HSPA and the Pharmacy Leadership Academy as well as pursuing an MBA. I have received my teaching certificate from the University of Florida and am currently studying to obtain Board Certification in Pharmacotherapy.

Advice

I have been privileged in my career as a new practitioner to meet and work with many influential leaders throughout the pharmacy profession. Whenever possible reach out to these individuals as mentors and ask them if you could be their mentee. When opportunities present themselves, even if you are unsure where it may lead, do not be afraid to see where they go. I encourage everyone to live comfortably uncomfortable making every effort for continuous professional development.