Pharmacist Spotlight: Lih Wang, PharmD

Tell us a bit about your career and what you do now.

I’ve been a pharmacist for [more than] a decade, starting my journey as a pharmacy clerk and working my way up to technician and then pharmacist. I’ve experienced both small independent pharmacies and large chain stores in retail and specialty environments. Throughout my career, I’ve noticed a disconnect between clinics and pharmacies, which has fueled my passion for my current role. Being a pharmacist in a clinic at House Rx allows me to see the whole patient picture. This complete view helps me understand their unique situations better and truly support them in achieving the best health care outcomes. I love being part of this process!

What inspired you to pursue a career in clinical pharmacy?

Watching my family face the challenges of aging and health issues has been tough. My grandfather dealt with dialysis, while my mother worked hard to manage her diabetes, both needing a lot of medications. It was inspiring to see my aunt, a pharmacist, step in to help them understand and manage their treatments. That experience sparked my passion for pharmacy and motivated me to pursue a career [in which] I can support others facing similar struggles. I want to make a positive impact on their lives, just like my aunt did for my family.

What are some of the most rewarding aspects of your job?

I truly cherish the moments when I know I’ve made a difference in a patient’s life. Often, it’s not about introducing a new medication but helping patients better understand their current treatments. Being a pharmacist allows me to do just that. For example, I once worked with a patient with prostate cancer who thought living with insomnia was just part of his treatment. He believed that if you want to live, you have to learn to live with insomnia. He had been taking prednisone at night, unaware that simply switching to morning doses could help with his sleep issues. After discussing this with him, I could hear the gratitude and excitement in his voice. Knowing that I played a part in improving his quality of life was an incredibly rewarding experience for me.

What advice would you give to students or other pharmacists interested in pursuing clinical pharmacy?

Your career is truly a journey, and it’s rarely a straight path to your ultimate goal. It’s normal to take a step and not land exactly where you want to be right away. Take a step forward with a clinical pharmacy rotation. If you hit a roadblock, don’t hesitate to explore other routes, such as starting in a nonclinical pharmacist role to get your foot in the door. The key is to keep moving; you won’t reach your goals by staying still. Just keep pushing forward and embrace the journey.