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Pharmacist of the Month:
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Dr. Thomas Kearney is a Professor of Clinical Pharmacy at the University of California, San Francisco, specialized at Clinical Toxicology and Chair of New Pathways in Pharmaceutical Health Policy Management. He is also Managing Director of the California Poison Control System (San Francisco Division). He attended Junior College and Chico State and then graduated at UCSF School of Pharmacy in 1980. He did a residency in hospital pharmacy at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor where he developed an interest in infectious disease and oncology. Afterwards, he did a fellowship in toxicology at UCSD for two years, where he learned more about toxicology and how to run a poison control center. He did research and headed an investigation in lead poisoning in Mexico which led to the shutting down of a battery production plant. He went to Louisiana State University where he taught pharmacy and toxicology and was the director of the state's poison control center. He was also the director of the poison center in Philadelphia with the Philadelphia College of Science before rejoining with his alma mater in UCSF as a faculty member and director of the poison control system. He is also an editor of Lange's Clinical Manual on Poisoning and Drug Overdose
Why did you choose to work in poison control?
When I was a student, I volunteered at the Haight-Ashbury Clinic, where I got exposed to STDs and saw the effects of drugs of abuse and toxicology that intrigued my interest. The biggest reason why I chose to work in poison control was that I had an opportunity to be in a fellowship that had special training in toxicology under a great mentor. Toxicology is challenging and intriguing for me. Training as a pharmacist trains me well to assess poisonings and treatment. I deal with toxicology in many hazardous chemicals--from the forefront of bioterrorism, new drugs of abuse, to snakes, spiders, mushrooms, plants. A lot of the things you learn from early courses and exposures from other sciences come into use. I also deal with people in life-threatening situations that are exposed to poison. Most of the cases I've dealt with are with children under 5 years of age. So there's a lot of fulfillment gratification from my work.
What are some of the things you like about your job?
What I like about my job? There's always an intellectual challenge. There's always new emerging issues in toxicology, I like being around students and other practitioners (esp physicians) who come to learn toxicology and working with other people from other countries. It's the people that I work around, the students, and the subject matter that I like, as well as the fact that I feel that I make a difference in people's lives.
Dislikes?
Funding problems. But we overcome most of those over the past years. At times the people I work with have their ups and downs and I help them get through that. All in all, we end up working things out and it's a very enriching environment.
What are your specific responsibilities at the poison control center?
In the poison control center, I am responsible for the quality assurance and the development of staff (making sure they are progressing and are keeping up with the latest information). I also attend to students presenting cases, in which I give recommendations in therapy strategies in severely poisoned patients. I also work the hotline, at least one day a week. I also have research projects, such as research on drug-induced seizures, drug-induced hypotension, etc. I spend 50% of my time as a faculty member in UCSF, as Chair of New Pathways, and help make sure students get good research projects.
Where do you see pharmacy going in the future?
I see pharmacy as becoming more diverse. With the advent of certain mail orders and automation in dispensing, certain product-oriented professions will be less and less. We're going to be looking for pharmacists because for their cognitive abilities, being able to work with patients and develop a strategy for their medications, serve as their advocates so that they are getting the best cost-effective medication, as well as work in areas like policy, economics, pharmaceutical industry, and regulation agencies like the FDA. Pharmacists have a lot of skills to offer in a lot of different venues. We're trying to look in and track new pharmacists that have these special interests and skills and competence in clinical pharmacy.
What do you do for fun?
I like to go skiing and wine tasting. I also make wine on occasion. I also like to go hiking with my wife.
Last but not least, any words of advice for pre-pharmacy students?
If you're going to choose pharmacy as a profession, I first suggest to do well in school. Get actively involved in extracurricular activities, especially in areas where you can show leadership and initiative. I also suggest taking the time to talk to a pharmacist. If there's a chance or opportunity to see how they are in their work environment, what's it really like to be in the profession--I think that's important because we'll be looking at those issues when you submit your application and during the interview process. You will be questioned about that.
Develop in your own mind an idea on why you're going into the profession. Look into literature, about where the future of pharmacy is heading. Take initiative to read those and get a sense of where the profession is going.
Facts about the poison control center:
