Note: The content discussed in this episode includes references to experiences involving mental health challenges, including thoughts of suicide. Please be advised that the following conversation may be sensitive and triggering for some individuals. If you or someone you know is struggling, please reach out to a mental health professional or contact a helpline for support. Remember, you are not alone, and help is available.
In this episode of Pharmacy View Podcast’s Full Scope Pharmacy Leadership stream, host, Chantelle Turner, a Pharmacist Leadership and Business Coach at TURN Pharmacy Leadership, is joined by Ilwoo Park, Pharmacist Manager at Oatlands Pharmacy. Ilwoo is a dedicated Community Pharmacist renowned for her work in rural Pharmacy. Ilwoo not only owns a Pharmacy but also takes an active role in mentoring and guiding the next generation of Pharmacists, aiming to enhance the quality of their practice. She shares her journey from Korea to Australia, overcoming language barriers and academic challenges, ultimately establishing herself as a respected Pharmacist in Oatlands, Tasmania.
Ilwoo’s account emphasizes her resilience during her challenging seven-year intern experience, where she faced resistance and hostility from colleagues while striving to gain mastery of Pharmacy tasks. Despite contemplating leaving the field, her determination and the support of the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) propelled her to eventually pass the exam and secure a position as a Pharmacist in Tasmania. Her emotional struggles and efforts to improve her English fluency through confrontational dialogues reflect her dedication to personal and professional growth.
Throughout her career, Ilwoo emphasizes the importance of responsibility, advocating for a holistic approach to Pharmacy practice. She highlights the significance of proactive patient care, effective communication, and the necessity of taking personal accountability for one’s actions and decisions. Her reflections shed light on the challenges faced within the Pharmacy environment and underscore the crucial role of Pharmacists and assistants in ensuring patient safety and promoting effective medication management.
Ilwoo’s dedication to bridging the gap between friendliness and assertiveness within the workplace stands as a testament to her commitment to mentorship and excellence in Pharmacy practice. Their story serves as an inspiration for aspiring Pharmacists, encouraging them to strive for continuous learning, professionalism, and a customer-centric approach in the field of Pharmacy.
Topics Covered
- Overcoming hostile work environment
- Strategies for improving communication skills
- Balancing assertiveness and friendliness
- Importance of mentorship in Pharmacy
- Nurturing the next generation of Pharmacists
- Personal responsibility in professional experiences
- Patient safety and medication management
- Comprehensive patient care and effective communication
- Importance of proactive measures and follow-ups
Key Quotes (Time Stamps)
- “In 2015, the PSA Tasmania really helped me to find a job, and so I worked as a part-time assistant in other Pharmacy.” (14:14 – 14:25)
- “Maybe one or two months before that happened, I kept thinking, why do I have to keep other people’s emotions when I cannot look after my emotions? And then, I needed to say something to her, but I was scared, and I was holding her emotion. But then, does she ever think about my emotions? No, I don’t think she does. And then, if I say nothing and she thinks I’m hurting my emotion by myself because I’m not doing anything.” (24: 45 – 25:25)
- “When I actually returned the impact they gave me, then they changed their attitude.” (26:52 – 27:00)
- “I’m a Pharmacist in Oatlands, Tasmania, and I have been there for five and a half years now, and then, I just got my partnership from this year.” (27:25 – 27:40)
- “I just thought, if I become a Pharmacist, I’ll never become a preceptor like this man. So that’s what I always think. I don’t have an intern, but I could have, sometimes, the students. I am trying to be the preceptor I wish I could have.” (36:36 – 37:01)
- “I always say, don’t try to blame everything else and not you. When I did my internship, what I thought was, how can I do anything here, I wish she didn’t talk to me like that, I wish my preceptor helped me better—I didn’t do that. So, leave those people as they are. I’m not going to change them. But, for me, what can I do here?” (37:54 – 38:30)
Social Media Clips (Time Stamps)
- From Backpacker to Pharmacist: Chasing Dreams Abroad (2:50 – 6:47)
- From Peer Pressure to Passion: Ilwoo Park’s Pharmacy Tale (6:58 – 9:32)
- Behind the Counter Battles: Ilwoo Park’s Fight for Pharmacy Recognition (9:41 – 14:54)
- Overcoming Obstacles: Ilwoo Park’s Journey to Fluency and Resilience (14:58 – 18:01)
- The Breaking Point: Ilwoo Park’s Stand for Workplace Respect (18:09 – 25:40)
- Pharmacy Power Play: Ilwoo Park’s Road to Establishing Authority (27:01 – 34:02)
- Mentorship Matters: Ilwoo Park’s Path to Preceptorship (34:43 – 37:03)
- The Art of Care: Ilwoo Park’s Guide to Comprehensive Pharmacy Services (40:01 – 43:45)
- Ilwoo Park’s Addition to the Toolkit: Prescription of Responsibility (44:10 – 46:20)
Useful Links
Turn Pharmacy Leadership | LinkedIn
Turn Pharmacy Leadership | Website
Email Chantelle Turner: cs.turner@bigpond.com
