Leadership Profile - Jennifer Arnoldi, PharmD, BCPS

Where did you go to pharmacy school?

Midwestern University-Chicago College of Pharmacy

Following graduation from CCP, I opted to complete a PGY-1 Residency program at Deaconess Health System in Evansville, Indiana. I hadn’t had much previous health-system experience, so that year helped me further develop my clinical skills and interest in inpatient pharmacy. Upon completing the residency, I returned to central Illinois and took a position with St. John’s Hospital in Springfield. There I was able to practice in a variety of experiences, ranging from inpatient order verification and dispensing to clinical opportunities such as rounding with an interdisciplinary team in the intensive care unit. While working at St. John’s, I met several clinical faculty members from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUe) School of Pharmacy who had practice sites in Springfield. When I learned that SIUe was interested in hiring additional faculty for the Springfield area, I applied for a position and was lucky enough to become an internal medicine pharmacy practice faculty member. I was even able to stay at St. John’s as my practice site and work with providers in SIU School of Medicine. I’ve been in this position for a few years and I’m proud to add that I recently obtained BCPS certification.

My position with SIUe is as clinical faculty in the internal medicine setting. With St. John’s being a teaching hospital, I get to round with a team of hospitalists, medical residents, medical students, pharmacy residents, and pharmacy students. What I love about internal medicine is that it is truly a different experience every day due to the wide variety of disease states we encounter.

I have had the opportunity to work with some very incredible pharmacists so far in my career, and have felt inspired by many of them. Having a mentor or a few mentors can be immensely helpful, especially to a new practitioner. I rely on several of my close contacts for career advice and insights, patient care advice, or as a sounding board in stressful times. I don’t think I would make it through a day without them.

After returning to Illinois after my residency, I decided to rejoin ICHP (I had been a student member) for several reasons. One of the biggest factors was that I was a new practitioner in health-system pharmacy and I was looking for an organization that I could count on to support the issues that mattered to me and enhance my professional development. I felt that joining a state organization like ICHP would provide networking opportunities that I wouldn’t be able to find on my own. Finally, I felt that I might be able to contribute a lot at the state level by volunteering for leadership positions and attending the regular meetings.

Jump in! I would encourage new practitioners to join the New Practitioner’s Network (NPN) and take advantage of the opportunities for education and networking that the group provides. Members at any level of professional experience can contribute to one of the many divisions; being part of a division and joining the monthly conference calls is a great way to identify volunteer opportunities that match your interests.

I enjoy making things and DIY-ing. I recently finished creating a headboard from an old door and I’ve also sewn some baby gifts for friends, including blankets and tutus.

I skipped the second grade, which made me younger than all of my classmates growing up. Due to the transition I struggled with telling time and writing in cursive in the third grade. Don’t worry, I can do both now!

I’m currently serving as NPN Chair-Elect. I’m learning a lot from our current chair, Kristi Stice, and looking forward to serving as Chair in the future.