Tate Drees

Tate Drees is a clinical specialist at the Crohn’s and Colitis Center in Boston, Massachusetts. After receiving her PharmD from the University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy, she completed a postgraduate year 1 (PGY1) residency in pharmacy practice at Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center and a postgraduate year 2 (PGY2) in ambulatory care at Kaiser Permanente. She is a member of the New Practitioners Forum Practice Advancement and Advocacy Advisory Group.

Why did you become involved in ASHP?
I wanted to further my professional development, leadership, and networking skills. ASHP has put on numerous activities and events that I have participated in and benefited from professionally, so I hope to be able to give back to other practitioners in a similar way through project design and implementation.

Professional Interests:
My professional interests include primary care, inflammatory bowel disease, and practice management.

What is one area of pharmacy you are most passionate about?
I am passionate about providing direct patient care and improving patient outcomes and quality of life. I feel that it is every patient's right to have providers that are dedicated to doing all they can to improve their disease or condition.

What do you like to do for fun? What are some of your interests/hobbies outside of pharmacy?
For fun, I love being able to get outside and explore new parts of wherever I am living. I also love traveling. I am trying to do as many international flights out of the Boston airport as I can! My hobbies include yoga, volleyball, hiking, and horseback riding.

What advice would you give to other new practitioners?
Get involved early in regional and/or national committees. I feel that the connections you make and the non-clinical skills you learn are extremely valuable to make you a more well-rounded pharmacist.

Fun Fact:
I have been hit by a residual lightning strike while bringing a horse in at a barn where I worked.