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Official Newsjournal of the Illinois Council of Health-System Pharmacists

ICHP Leadership Spotlight
Meet Marianne Pop, PharmD, BCPS

What is your leadership position within ICHP?
I am the Chair-Elect of the New Practitioner Network.

Where is your practice site?
I am at the University of Illinois College of Pharmacy and OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center

How do you know that choosing pharmacy as a career was the right choice for you?
Pharmacy is for me because it allows me to pursue my interests in patient care, education, and public health. Also, as a pharmacist, your role is always expanding. My PharmD degree and post-graduate training in emergency medicine allowed me to combine my passions for solving acute patient care issues and ambulatory care. As clinical faculty for the University of Illinois College of Pharmacy, I have been given opportunities to educate future pharmacists. I have also been able to go beyond individual care by improving community health through vaccination programs. Although health careers offer opportunities for diverse roles, pharmacy is one field where the sky is the limit.

What is a challenge that you face in your practice?
A challenge that I face at my practice is having the ability to optimize medication regimens, but then identifying issues with affordability. As a pharmacist, we are able to learn the tricks of the trade such as drug savings cards, prior authorizations, medication coupon websites, and copay cards, among others. As a health-system pharmacist, I rely on my community pharmacy colleagues to stretch my patients' dollars. Community pharmacy staff are helpful every time, but it is challenging when you exhaust all modes of reducing a patient’s medication costs and the patient does not have the means to pay for necessary medications.

What makes ICHP great?
ICHP is a great organization because it is one of the most involved pharmacy organizations. This is evident in the student, technician, and pharmacist membership. Each meeting (live or virtual) is filled with innovative ideas from members who are vying to improve the profession. The organization also offers many opportunities from policy, education, and networking. As a Chair-Elect of the New Practitioner Network, I was able to learn how ICHP works closely with state officials to promote the profession. ICHP provides many modes of continuing education for pharmacists and technicians, making it easy to maintain your license. Lastly, ICHP holds multiple networking opportunities for all members at the local, regional, and state level.

What initially motivated you to get involved in ICHP?
I was motivated to join ICHP because I wanted to get involved in pharmacy advocacy at a local level. I was involved with the ASHP Section Advisory Group in Emergency Medicine for multiple years, but wanted to know more about what Illinois was doing to support the profession and my ideals. I found that ICHP matches my vision for pharmacy practice.

Is there an individual you admire or look up to, or a mentor that has influenced your career?
Special thanks to my dad, Thomas Platt, for making me who I am today in my career. He not only introduced me to pharmacy, but also instilled the work ethic that has made me successful.

What advice would you give to student pharmacists?
My advice for student pharmacists is to take every opportunity to learn what pharmacy has to offer by shadowing, networking, and challenging yourself.

Do you have any special interests or hobbies outside of work?
My special interests or hobbies outside of work include reading, traveling, and trying new foods. I am part of a monthly book club that meets to discuss books and try new restaurants. I am currently reading Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson.

My favorite restaurants are fusion restaurants.

What is your favorite place to vacation?
My favorite place to vacation is Oregon. My family travels every summer to Oregon, where we hike and get to enjoy the beautiful beaches.