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Official Newsjournal of the Illinois Council of Health-System Pharmacists

Leadership Profile
ICHP Spotlight Interview: Christopher W Crank

Leadership position in ICHP

Director of the Government Affairs Division

Practice site

I am currently the Director of Pharmacy Services at Rush Copley Medical Center in Aurora, Illinois.

First time joining ICHP

I was asked to speak at an ICHP meeting. I immediately recognized the value that ICHP could provide. ICHP also allowed me the opportunity to quickly and easily get involved in the organization. ICHP is superb because of its role in advocacy and the quality of educational material presented.

Special thanks for making me who I am today in my career

I have been lucky to have had many mentors in my career at different stages. I am still extremely grateful for the many people in pharmacy who have willingly given of themselves and their time to me. I cannot name just one person. Charles Owens, an independent retail pharmacist, was one of my first mentors. He was instrumental in helping me get my foot in the pharmacy door. He always encouraged me to choose a line of pharmacy work that I enjoyed. As a faculty member at The University of Iowa, Mike Klepser had a major influence on me. My interest in infectious diseases and research were sparked by him. During my time in St Louis, Mike Maddux, Wafa Dahdal, Jennifer Kaisar, Jack Burke and Cynthia Ruiz all provided excellent mentorship to me. When I transitioned to Rush University Medical Center, Dwaine Keller, Nora Flint, and Kevin Colgan all served as mentors. John Segreti and David Simon, who are both infectious diseases physicians, took an interest in me. They were both essential to my clinical and research growth.

Advice for a student

The best way to establish a mentor-mentee relationship is to look for mentors who you identify with. Reach out to that person and see how you can help them. Work with them to complete a project. In the process, you will establish a meaningful relationship. I guess I am suggesting a meaningful mentor-mentee relationship requires that both parties contribute to a common goal.

Applying ICHP learning into my work

My involvement with the Government Affairs Division has been extremely beneficial. Being involved in the division keeps me apprised of proposed legislation that will impact pharmacy practice.

Challenges that I face at my practice

The impact of drug shortages feels like they have reached an all-time high. Critical drugs and fluids are not available. This has forced the pharmacy team to adapt quickly and constantly to meet patient care needs. I am very proud of my pharmacy team at Rush Copley Medical Center. They have risen to the challenge and work hard every day to meet the needs of our patients.

My special interests or hobbies outside of work

I enjoy woodworking with power tools as well as hand tools. I got interested in woodworking because my grandfather was a carpenter, and he was very good with hand tools. I remember watching him build various objects and structures. Unfortunately, my grandfather passed away before I was old enough that he could teach me. I guess he inspired me to learn how to use hand tools for woodworking.

My favorite project so far was making a memory chest for a friend of mine. Her grandson passed away in the NICU, and she wanted to give her daughter a chest to keep all of her keepsakes from the baby. I was honored and humbled that she asked, but I was also extremely nervous about how it would turn out. The chest turned out well, and her daughter loved it. It will likely be impossible for me to make something with more meaning.

3 adjectives people use to describe me

1. Gregarious

2. High energy

3. Determined