College of Pharmacy

Student Spotlight – Hannah Bond

January 5, 2021 • Uncategorized

Student finds positive outlook during pandemic

Name/Class: Hannah Bond, HSC College of Pharmacy – Class of 2022

Hometown: Fort Worth, TX

What type of work are you doing in the field? I am about to celebrate five years at Texas Health Harris Methodist Alliance working as a pharmacy technician/intern. I spend a majority of my time compounding IV medications in the sterile compounding lab and delivering medications to the Pyxis machines (automated medication dispensing system). I have been fortunate enough to shadow the centralized and decentralized pharmacists at THAL. I have learned so much over the past five years, and I am thankful to have such wonderful mentors. My favorite part about working at the hospital is being able to apply what I am learning in school. Pharmacists have such a positive impact on the overall health and well-being of the individuals within the community!

What are your career goals? My short term goal is to become a residency trained clinical pharmacist working in the ICU. In the next five years, I plan on obtaining board certifications in pharmacotherapy and critical care.

What has it been like as a student pharmacist gaining experience during a pandemic? Can you describe any specific invaluable learning or impactful moments? I have learned that it is important to take everything one day at a time and maintain a positive outlook on life. I have learned so much on rotation and at work during 2020. This past year has been challenging in many ways. It has been difficult for me to watch patients with COVID-19 not have the love and support of their families close by. There has been so much loss this last year and it has been very difficult to watch. I believe that nurses, physicians, pharmacists, respiratory therapists, patient-care technicians, and all other healthcare professionals are able to make a difference by showing empathy to patients and their families. There are so many protocols in place to limit the amount of exposure during the pandemic. I am really looking forward to having more hands-on interaction with patients in the future!

I was able to get my first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, and I had a great experience. Overall, the vaccination was painless and the only side effect that I experienced was some soreness around the injection site. I am very thankful to have received the first dose of the vaccine. I feel confident that I am one step closer to protecting my family, friends, and the community!

What has this experience taught you about being a pharmacist? There are so many unknowns during a pandemic! Healthcare changes at a rapid rate and it is difficult to know all of the answers. The literature is being updated at a remarkable rate, and we are all learning together as healthcare professionals. The pandemic has emphasized the importance of being a lifelong learner. I am very impressed and empowered by the research that is occurring worldwide. I have so much respect for medicine and the healthcare industry as a whole.

How has it changed your educational experience? COVID-19 has tested me in many ways. I have had to adjust my learning style over the past few months, but I can honestly say that I have made the best of distance learning! I realized very early on how important it is to maintain a consistent schedule to stay on top of schoolwork! I prioritize my time and I really enjoy the flexibility that distance learning provides. In order to be successful, I focus on setting a daily schedule, maintaining a positive attitude, staying connected with friends and family, and making time for exercise throughout the day! COVID-19 has taught me the importance of being flexible with my time and expectations. This pandemic also taught me that you can’t control what happens to you, but you can control how you respond!