Board of Directors Profile: Jaime Borkowski, Director of Professional Affairs
by By Nora Flint, PharmD, BCPS
February 9, 2010
By Nora Flint, PharmD, BCPS
Where did you go to pharmacy school?
I went to Butler University in Indianapolis, IN.
Trace your professional history since graduation: where have you trained/worked. Any special accomplishments?
I completed a PGY1 residency at
Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago, IL then worked there for a
few years after residency. Following that, I took a job as the Clinical
Coordinator at OSF St. Anthony Medical Center in Rockford, IL. I took
the BPS exam to become board certified in Pharmacotherapy and am
currently a clinical specialist at Delnor Hospital in Geneva, IL.
Describe your current area of practice and practice setting.
I am developing an antibiotic stewardship program and an anticoagulation program at Delnor Hospital.
What initially motivated you to get
involved, and what benefits do you see in being active in a
professional association such as ICHP?
I became a member of ICHP when I took
the Clinical Coordinator role in order to help me stay abreast with
important issues in pharmacy in Illinois. I wanted to participate on a
deeper level, so I joined the Division of Professional Affairs soon
after I joined ICHP. It came to my attention that they were looking for
a new President of the Rock Valley Society, so I agreed to serve in
that capacity as well. The ICHP meetings I had attended had been
outstanding with useful content and great speakers, and I was impressed
with the organization. It sounded like a good opportunity to get more
involved, and I didn’t want to pass it up.
The benefits of membership are quite numerous! I have met so many
exemplary colleagues, and everyone is eager to give advice and share
stories of what they’re doing and how they do it. I had the opportunity
to speak at an ICHP Spring Meeting, and there is always potential to
write an article in KeePosted. As the Director of the Division of
Professional Affairs, I get to be involved in the ICHP Best Practice
Award, developing toolkits for members to use, writing position
statements on important issues and having a say in what goes on in the
organization as a member of the Board of Directors. It has been such a
great experience so far. Of all the benefits, the biggest one is all
the great people I have come to know and have had the opportunity to
work with in ICHP.
Is there an individual you admire or look up to, or a mentor that has influenced your career?
I look up to my older brother. He has
always been a hard worker and extremely driven, and he encouraged me
not to pass up any opportunity or be afraid of accepting new
challenges. He is even the one who suggested I go to pharmacy school
back when I was trying to decide what career path to follow.
Do you have any special interests or hobbies outside of work?
I like to run, read, play piano and spend time with my husband and my little boy.
Do you have a favorite restaurant or food?
I love food in general but have a special weakness for brownies. I also love Coco Pazzo (an Italian restaurant in Chicago).
What is your favorite place to vacation?
I like to vacation places with access
to the outdoors and interesting landscapes (e.g., mountains, lakes)
where I can hike or just enjoy the view.
What is the most interesting/unique fact about yourself that few people know?
I studied in Germany in college and had a double major in pharmacy and German.
What 3 adjectives would people use to best describe you?
Optimistic
Spunky
Caring
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