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Robert Adamson, R.Ph., President-Elect NJSHP’s cover article reflects a personal writing from a member of your board. This month features Robert Adamson. |
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 My
story begins in Bayonne New Jersey. I grew up and lived there until
1993 while fostering a dream to be a major league baseball player.
A bad knee dictated that I abandon this dream and choose another
profession. My father had always encouraged me to be a pharmacist.
I followed his advice and enrolled into Saint John’s University
College of Pharmacy. While in school I had a chance meeting with
a hospital pharmacist who convinced me to try hospital pharmacy.
I applied and was accepted as an intern at Cornell Medical Center
New York Hospital for two years. Finally in 1991, I graduated from
college with my B.S. in pharmacy, passed my boards and was looking
for a job. I was still working at New York Hospital although my roots
were in New Jersey. I began to look for a position in the Garden
State. The desire to work in a teaching hospital led me to University
Hospital in Newark where I was hired as a staff pharmacist.While at University Hospital I was extremely fortunate to meet Oscar Auerbach, one the most important mentors in my professional career. Dr. Auerbach was the physician who discovered the link between smoking and cancer and was truly world-renowned. He took me under his wing and for six years I met him every day to discuss cases. He motivated me to do more and it was he who encouraged me to get my Pharm.D., which I completed in 1997. At that point I decided I wanted to try the pharmaceutical industry and was hired as a Clinical Education Consultant for Pfizer. My job was very comprehensive and I learned more about research, teaching, computers, leadership, vision and management than I could have ever imagined. My career was growing and so was my personal life. I married my beautiful wife, Melva, in March of 1999. We settled in Kendall Park and have been very happy since. We enjoy time with both of our growing families and we are now planning to start a family of our own. During this same period I was encouraged by a colleague, Indu Lew, to become involved in NJSHP. |
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I was elected as the North Central
Chapter President (1998). I have remained on the Board since and was honored
tobe elected as Director of Legal and Public Affairs and now
as President-Elect. In 2001, I decided to leave the pharmaceutical industry and go back to my first love, hospital pharmacy. When making the decision, I knew there was one person for whom I wanted to work. That person was Pam Allen at the Saint Barnabas Health Care System. I was hired in August 2001 as the Corporate Director of Clinical Services of Saint Barnabas Health Care System. My vision of the perfect position materialized when I took this job. In my current position, I help coordinate the clinical pharmacy activities for our health system. Pam Allen is a mentor who fosters growth, education and the freedom to research ideas that are best for the profession and patients. Working for someone who is a strong advocate for pharmacy is rare and I feel lucky. Pharmacy has not been fortunate to witness many mentors but I have had more than most people. So I now have turned my energy to giving back to the profession that has given an abundance to me. Board of Directors 
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