Winter Bulletin 2005

Daniel T. Abazia, Pharm.D.

In his Meditation XVII, John Donne writes, “…No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main...any man’s death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind.” Donne’s manuscript describes the renaissance-era debate of isolation vs. interconnectedness.

Donne’s metaphor can be used to accurately describe the essence of the pharmacy profession. It can also inspire my fellow new practitioners (as well as veterans) into greater professional involvement.

The transition from student to pharmacist occurs abruptly. We find ourselves leaving the friendly confines of academia and entering a vast, complex profession. Often, our interests lie in various practice settings and we arrive at our ideal job position in a complex maze of trial and error. Only later in our careers do we see the need to network and become more involved in professional organizations such as the New Jersey Society of Health-System Pharmacists.

In terms of joining a professional organizationlike ours, it’s typical to hear these common responses that I have even uttered in the past. “I just graduated and I’m not sure what I want to do…I have loans to pay off…I finally have time for a personal life.” Do I have a rebuttal to these reasons not to become more involved? Yes. However, if you look closely at each of the above arguments, they all begin with “I”. We have all heard the cliché, “There is no I in team.” If we remove the word “team” and substitute the word “pharmacy”, would you agree that the statement still works?

Let’s take it one step further. There is an “I” in pharmacist, and, there is an “I” in involvement. Pharmacists are individuals and should be allowed to express their individuality. Nonetheless, our hard work in attaining the title of pharmacist was an effort to involve ourselves in the profession of pharmacy.

Involvement doesn’t have to mean sacrificing one’s personal life or committing to a specific career path.

It is an obligation to give back to a profession that has given us so much (and not just free pens!). Every single pharmacist is a piece of the profession. And, each pharmacist who does not recognize this only weakens the profession, slowing its progression.

It is more important that each day we go to work, we don’t lose sight of the fact that we are all interconnected. Involvement not only reaps individual rewards, but also ultimately contributes to the profession of pharmacy. So, use the “I”, consider leaving the island by getting involved. Help out your fellow pharmacy practitioners advance the practice of Pharmacy.

Dan Abazia is currently a pharmacy-practice resident at the Albert Einstein Medical Center in Philadelphia, PA. He graduated from the Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy – Rutgers University in May 2005 and is a past president of the NJSHP Student Chapter. Dan’s practice interests include management/administration and oncology. Dan plans on making a career within health-system pharmacy.


No Pharmacist is an Island… Daniel T. Abazia, Pharm.D.
In his Meditation XVII, John Donne writes, “…No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main...any man’s death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind.” Donne’s manuscript describes the renaissance-era debate of isolation vs. interconnectedness. Donne’s metaphor can be used to accurately describe the essence of the pharmacy profession. It can also inspire my fellow new practitioners (as well as veterans) into greater professional involvement. The transition from student to pharmacist occurs abruptly. We find ourselves leaving the friendly confines of academia and entering a vast, complex profession. Often, our interests lie in various practice settings and we arrive at our ideal job position in a complex maze of trial and error. Only later in our careers do we see the need to network and become more involved in professional organizations such as the New Jersey Society of Health-System Pharmacists.	In terms of joining a professional organizationlike ours, it’s typical to hear these common responses that I have even uttered in the past. “I just graduated and I’m not sure what I want to do…I have loans to pay off…I finally have time for a personal life.” Do I have a rebuttal to these reasons not to become more involved? Yes. However, if you look closely at each of the above arguments, they all begin with “I”. We have all heard the cliché, “There is no I in team.” If we remove the word “team” and substitute the word “pharmacy”, would you agree that the statement still works? Let’s take it one step further. There is an “I” in pharmacist, and, there is an “I” in involvement. Pharmacists are individuals and should be allowed to express their individuality. Nonetheless, our hard work in attaining the title of pharmacist was an effort to involve ourselves in the profession of pharmacy. Involvement doesn’t have to mean sacrificing one’s personal life or committing to a specific career path.	It is an obligation to give back to a profession that has given us so much (and not just free pens!). Every single pharmacist is a piece of the profession. And, each pharmacist who does not recognize this only weakens the profession, slowing its progression. It is more important that each day we go to work, we don’t lose sight of the fact that we are all interconnected. Involvement not only reaps individual rewards, but also ultimately contributes to the profession of pharmacy. So, use the “I”, consider leaving the island by getting involved. Help out your fellow pharmacy practitioners advance the practice of Pharmacy. Dan Abazia is currently a pharmacy-practice resident at the Albert Einstein Medical Center in Philadelphia, PA. He graduated from the Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy – Rutgers University in May 2005 and is a past president of the NJSHP Student Chapter. Dan’s practice interests include management/administration and oncology. Dan plans on making a career within health-system pharmacy.