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ICHP Leadership Spotlight
Meet Erika Diericx, PharmD, BCPS
What is your ICHP leadership position?
Southern Region Director
Where is your practice site?
Southern Illinois Healthcare (SIH) – System ID/ASP Clinical Pharmacist
What is a challenge that you face in your practice?
I think the biggest obstacle I face is engaging others to embrace change. Sometimes, as pharmacists, we are happily set in our ways of practice – I think most pharmacists I know are very much creatures of habit. I am a creature of habit. But I think sometimes we as a profession let the fear of change get in the way of the change itself.
What have you done to improve a problem at your organization?
To aid in earlier Infectious Diseases consults I lead the implementation of an alert within our electronic medical record (Epic – BPA) to recommended an Infectious Diseases consult to the patient’s primary team for assistance in treatment of all S. aureus bacteremia and any fungemia.
What makes ICHP great?
I think the opportunities ICHP provides is what makes ICHP great – from the bi-annual meetings to the leadership opportunities for pharmacists, pharmacy students, and pharmacy technicians. I serve a rural community in a healthcare organization that does it's best to provide cutting edge services. I find it helpful to be able to have a network of pharmacists within reach to further develop my own team.
What initially motivated you to get involved in ICHP?
I was introduced to ICHP through a leader and mentor - Jennifer Ellison. I was a newly hired pharmacist at OSF in Peoria. I was astonished that a member of pharmacy leadership had taken time to discuss opportunities for networking and clinical growth. My positive perception of ICHP began that day – I wasn’t just a member who would get lost in the numbers and dues.
Is there an individual that you admire or look up to, or a mentor that has influenced your career?
Each phase of my career has had many people that contributed to the way I practice pharmacy. When I was in community pharmacy my mentor Mark laid the groundwork. His gentle nudge towards an inpatient clinical pharmacist role is what planted the seed. It was the pharmacists at SFMC that nourished it to grow. I will always be grateful for the team who developed my skills as an inpatient pharmacist.
What advice would you give to student pharmacists?
My advice would be to remember your passion and this will drive your success. One of my passions is learning. I have made a few career changes in the pursuit of knowledge. If you want something and put your mind to it, you can achieve it. For me, in my pursuit of knowledge, career opportunities have presented themselves. Find what makes you passionate about pharmacy and pursue it.
Do you have any special interests or hobbies outside of work?
Pre-COVID I loved to travel. When my daughter was born, I was excited to have her come along for the adventure. While the pandemic has shaped our travel experiences differently than I anticipated we have still made the best of it.
Where is your favorite place to vacation?
My favorite place to vacation is London. I loved how easy it is to travel within England and throughout Europe. My husband is an avid Chelsea FC fan – seeing them in a match against Arsenal was amazing. We also visited the many historical sites and shopping!
