The nearly 1,000 alumni at ETSU Gatton College of Pharmacy serve all over the country
in a variety of career specialties that continue to expand beyond traditional roles
in community pharmacies.
One alumnus from the Class of 2023 has taken a unique role in pharmacy informatics,
which focuses on utilizing medication-related data and knowledge within healthcare
systems to help deliver optimal medication-related patient care and health outcomes.
Dr. Jonathan Holan recently moved to Verona, Wisconsin, near Madison for a new position
as a Clinical Project Manager at a company called Epic.
“My role is a clear departure from the conventional path of a pharmacist,” said Holan.
“Rather than being focused on direct patient care, this role allows me to play a part
in revolutionizing healthcare through technology.”
Epic is a large health tech company that provides an integrated suite of healthcare
applications allowing for high levels of interconnectivity, Holan said. “As pharmacists,
we have likely seen and used Epic's software through various applications, and I am
honored to be a part of such a prestigious and influential organization.”
Holan said that within the company’s inpatient pharmacy application, he helps guide
their customers, which often include pharmacists and other health care professionals,
through their implementation process.
“This role allows me to shape the tools clinicians use to provide high-quality, personalized
patient care, playing a pivotal role in improving healthcare delivery through technology
- a powerful avenue for transforming patient care in my own unique way,” said Holan.
“By reducing the friction with their technology system, providers can spend more time
on what matters - working directly with their patients.”
At Gatton College of Pharmacy, Holan was able to tailor his training through tracks
available at the college and across the University, earning the PharmD/MBA dual degree
and his Graduate Certificate in Health Data Analytics from the ETSU College of Public
Health.
“The combination of the PharmD and MBA degrees provided by Gatton has equipped me
with unique skills to work with clinical customers from a business perspective,” said
Holan. “The pharmacy education instilled a deep understanding of clinical practices
and patient care, while the business training allowed me to grow in strategic thinking,
leadership, and project management abilities.”
Like many student pharmacists starting their first year, Holan didn’t realize the
wide variety of pharmacy career paths.
“I had no idea that pharmacy informatics was even an option,” said Holan. “It was
Gatton that informed me about this unique area of pharmacy in my P1 year, and I have
been pursuing it ever since.”