He explores how healthcare data and policy influence the way medications are used and the outcomes patients experience. Drawing on his work to improve access to care, he reflects on the connection between research and community health and offers practical advice for students interested in pharmacy and public health.

Reflecting on his residency training, Dr. Johnson also offers advice for aspiring pediatric pharmacists. He highlights the importance of advocating for children, communicating with caregivers, and advancing care through continued research and education.

He explores the unintended consequences of drug policies, the importance of compassion in substance use research, and how perspectives on medications such as tramadol differ around the world. Along the way, he offers practical advice for students interested in using research to make a difference.

Dr. Fink also highlights the importance of putting patients first, understanding state licensure requirements, and developing strong communication skills. For aspiring pharmacists, he shares practical advice on getting involved in professional organizations and building a meaningful career.

She discusses hepatitis C testing and treatment in prisons, expanding access to opioid use disorder treatment in rural communities, and how listening to patients and pharmacists can help identify and address barriers to care.

For students exploring careers in clinical practice, research, or policy, Dr. Ye offers practical advice and highlights how thoughtful policies can improve access to care and make a meaningful difference in people’s lives.

The conversation also explores how digital media and AI are changing the way students learn and affecting their well-being. Dr. Cain offers practical tips for using technology more intentionally, shares how educators can keep pace with change, and gives advice to students considering a career in pharmacy.

The conversation explores how scientists test drug quality, study treatments in real-world settings, and use AI, engineering, and imaging to advance drug development. Dr. Lodder also explains the surprising connection between pharmaceutical science and astrobiology. For students considering a career in science, he offers practical advice: explore other fields, become excellent at one skill, and keep improving patient care at the center of your work.

He discusses how pharmacists support patients with HIV, the public health impact of vaccines, and how pharmacy programs are preparing students for broader roles in patient care. He also shares what he enjoys most about teaching and offers advice for becoming a great teacher.

Dr. Fischer explains the important role regulatory affairs professionals play in drug development. Acting almost like the “police” of the process, they ensure that potential medications follow FDA guidelines and are studied safely, ethically, and thoroughly. She walks listeners through the complex journey of developing a medication—from understanding how it works and conducting animal studies to completing clinical trial phases and seeking approval.

She also discusses her research related to potential treatments for autism and offers advice for students interested in exploring careers beyond traditional pharmacy practice. Her recommendations include pursuing internships and fellowships, connecting with professionals in the field, and remaining open to discovering new career paths along the way.

Dr. Koogler discusses counseling patients who want to quit smoking, explore medications such as Ozempic, or better manage diabetes. She explains how continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) allow people to see in real time how food and exercise affect their blood sugar, helping them learn directly from their own bodies.

She also describes the collaborative nature of pharmacy, including how pharmacists work with other healthcare professionals and medication-access coordinators to provide the best possible care. As a preceptor, Dr. Koogler encourages pharmacy students to remain curious and continually ask, “Why?”

Her advice for students considering pharmacy is simple: shadow a pharmacist, spend time observing the profession, and ask plenty of questions.

From providing vaccines to guiding patients through nonprescription medication choices, Dr. McIntosh explores the many ways pharmacists help meet community healthcare needs. She also discusses supporting long-term health and why consulting a pharmacist matters—even when a medication does not require a prescription.

Dr. McIntosh also shares how diabetes camp gives University of Kentucky pharmacy students hands-on experience with type 1 diabetes care, including blood sugar monitoring and insulin management. She reflects on how these experiences help future pharmacists connect classroom learning with a deeper understanding of the people they serve.

She discusses the challenges of addiction and withdrawal, factors that may influence susceptibility to nicotine addiction, and why experiences with quitting can differ. Dr. Turner also introduces the NRG3 gene and its connection to her research on nicotine withdrawal and returning to smoking.

Along the way, she offers advice on avoiding nicotine addiction and gives listeners a glimpse into the science behind understanding why people start—and struggle to stop.

Dr. Matson also discusses her work with the Department of Veterans Affairs, her role in educating healthcare professionals, and her efforts to support pharmacists through continuing education and preceptor development. She explains why pharmacists must continue learning throughout their careers and how strong preceptors help prepare the next generation of pharmacy professionals.

Finally, Dr. Matson offers practical advice to students interested in pharmacy, including how to explore the many career paths available and find the one that best fits their interests, strengths, and goals.

Listeners will learn how pharmacists serve as advocates and educators beyond dispensing medications, helping patients navigate complex healthcare systems, overcome barriers to care, and identify reliable health information.

He explains how pharmacists personalize medication therapy for critically ill patients, including navigating challenges that can change how quickly medications move through the body. Dr. Cook also discusses why the first hours following a neurological injury can be so important and how pharmacists work alongside other healthcare professionals to help patients receive timely, effective treatment.

The conversation also explores the role of research and mentorship in advancing pharmacy practice. Dr. Cook shares advice for students interested in critical care, neuropharmacy, and discovering the many specialized career paths available within pharmacy.

He discusses how researchers are exploring ways to influence these immune cells to reduce harmful inflammation and tissue damage in conditions ranging from pneumonia and cystic fibrosis to heart attacks and spinal cord injuries. Dr. Feola also explains his research using targeted drug-delivery approaches to help protect the heart following a heart attack.

The conversation highlights how pharmacy extends far beyond medications and patient care into research and scientific discovery. Dr. Feola also shares advice for students interested in pharmacy, research, and finding a career path that combines their interests.

She also explains how cardiovascular pharmacy services have evolved, how new research and clinical guidelines influence patient treatment, and why collaboration among healthcare professionals is essential to providing safe and effective care.

The conversation also offers valuable insight for pharmacy students and early-career professionals interested in cardiovascular care, highlighting the many ways pharmacists can make a meaningful difference in patients’ lives.

Dr. Keeton explains how pharmacists work alongside physicians and other healthcare professionals to help select the safest and most effective medications for patients. She discusses the importance of using antibiotics appropriately, monitoring patients for side effects and toxicity, and preventing antibiotic resistance so that these lifesaving medications remain effective when they are truly needed.

The conversation also explores the growing public health challenge of antibiotic resistance and the important role pharmacists play in addressing it. Dr. Keeton shares how advances in medication and pharmacist-led care are also helping people living with HIV manage their health and live long, healthy lives.

Finally, Dr. Keeton discusses pharmacy education, opportunities to strengthen the pharmacy workforce in Eastern Kentucky, and advice for pharmacy students as they prepare for successful careers.

From fighting antibiotic resistance to improving individual patient care, this episode highlights the many ways pharmacists make a difference in both their communities and the broader healthcare system.

Dr. Woolum also introduces the fascinating field of wilderness medicine, which focuses on providing care in remote environments where medical resources may be limited. He shares practical considerations for preparing for outdoor emergencies and discusses how factors such as extreme temperatures and improper storage may affect medications. The conversation also explores toxicology, sports supplements, common household exposures, and when someone should contact Poison Control.

Listeners will gain a better understanding of the diverse careers available in pharmacy and how pharmacists help protect patients both inside and outside the hospital.

In this episode of The Wonders of Pharmacy Podcast, Dr. Hend Mansoor shares her expertise in cardiovascular health and discusses the many factors that can influence a person’s risk for heart disease. From genetics and lifestyle to medications and prevention, Dr. Mansoor explores what research is teaching us about protecting our hearts and improving cardiovascular health.

She also shares her journey into pharmacy and cardiovascular research, giving listeners a look at how pharmacists contribute to patient care, research, and the prevention and management of chronic disease. For students interested in pharmacy, medicine, research, or cardiovascular health, Dr. Mansoor offers insight into the opportunities available in this important field.

Join us for a conversation about heart health, cardiovascular disease, and the role pharmacists can play in helping people live healthier lives.

In this episode of The Wonders of Pharmacy Podcast, Dr. Clark Kebodeaux shares his journey into pharmacy and the experiences that shaped his career. He discusses caring for patients in underserved communities, including his work with diabetes and other chronic conditions, and the important role pharmacists can play in improving access to care.

Dr. Kebodeaux also talks about training the next generation of pharmacists through community-based pharmacy residency programs and how the profession continues to expand beyond the traditional pharmacy counter. He shares lessons from his career and advice for students interested in exploring the many possibilities a career in pharmacy can offer.

In this episode of The Wonders of Pharmacy Podcast, Dr. Craig Martin shares his journey from growing up in Kentucky and discovering pharmacy to becoming an infectious diseases specialist, educator, and leader at the University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy.

Dr. Martin discusses his work in infectious diseases and antimicrobial stewardship, including the important role pharmacists play in making sure antibiotics are used safely and effectively. He also shares how his career evolved beyond clinical practice into teaching and leadership.

Along the way, Dr. Martin offers insight into the many directions a pharmacy career can take and advice for high school and college students who are beginning to explore their own futures in healthcare. His story shows that a pharmacy degree can open doors to patient care, education, leadership, and much more.

In this episode of The Wonders of Pharmacy Podcast, we sit down with Dr. Gavin Howington, an emergency medicine and critical care pharmacist at the University of Kentucky, to explore what it's really like to work on the front lines of healthcare. Dr. Howington shares his journey into emergency medicine pharmacy, what a typical day in the emergency department looks like, and how pharmacists help make fast, evidence-based decisions in high-pressure situations.

We also discuss fascinating topics such as rabies exposure and why post-exposure treatment is so important, newer approaches to pain management like subdissociative ketamine, and how emergency departments are adapting to better care for patients with opioid use disorder.

Whether you're a student considering a career in pharmacy, curious about what pharmacists do beyond dispensing medications, or simply interested in emergency medicine, this episode offers an inside look at a fast-paced and rewarding specialty. Dr. Howington also shares practical advice for students interested in emergency medicine, including the value of shadowing pharmacists, seeking mentorship, and taking initiative to explore the profession.

We discuss how pharmacists provide services like health screenings, vaccinations, and evidence-based prevention programs, including the National Diabetes Prevention Program. Dr. Hudspeth also shares how her team secured a CDC grant to expand pharmacy-led prevention services and explains why community pharmacies are uniquely positioned to improve access to healthcare.

Join us as we learn how today's community pharmacists are transforming patient care, collaborating with healthcare and public health partners, and making a lasting impact on the health of their communities.

In this episode of The Wonders of Pharmacy Podcast, we sit down with Dr. Regan Baum, an emergency medicine pharmacist at the University of Kentucky, to learn what it's like to care for patients when every second matters. Dr. Baum explains how emergency pharmacists work alongside physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals to quickly choose the safest and most effective medications for patients facing serious illnesses and injuries.

From responding to life-threatening emergencies to helping make split-second medication decisions, you'll discover how pharmacists play a critical role in the emergency department. Dr. Baum also shares what drew her to this exciting specialty, the challenges and rewards of working in such a fast-paced environment, and the skills needed to succeed in emergency medicine.

Whether you're curious about healthcare careers or simply want to know what happens behind the scenes in an emergency room, this episode offers an exciting look at one of pharmacy's most dynamic specialties—and how pharmacists help save lives every day.

Dr. Kunz Coyne explains how antibiotics work, why they should only be used when necessary, and what antibiotic resistance means for our future. She also discusses the important role of the human microbiome and how antibiotics can affect the beneficial bacteria that help keep us healthy.

You'll also get a glimpse into how researchers are using new technologies, including machine learning, to better understand infections and improve patient care. Along the way, Dr. Kunz Coyne shares what inspired her career and how pharmacists work with healthcare teams to ensure patients receive the safest and most effective treatments.

Whether you're a student, parent, or simply curious about medicine, this episode offers an engaging introduction to infectious diseases, antibiotic stewardship, and the vital role pharmacists play in keeping our communities healthy.

Discover how innovative educational games are helping students, families, and future healthcare professionals learn complex health concepts through hands-on, interactive experiences. Dr. Abraham shares the inspiration behind creating engaging learning tools, the science that supports learning through play, and how these approaches are making pharmacy more accessible, memorable, and enjoyable for people of all ages.

Whether you're a student considering a career in pharmacy, an educator looking for creative teaching strategies, a healthcare professional, or simply curious about the many roles pharmacists play in improving health, this conversation offers valuable insights into the future of health education.

Join us as we uncover how creativity, research, and innovation are changing the way people learn about pharmacy—one game at a time.