Pete Johnson

About my pharmacy practice journey, education, and key accomplishments:

Dr. Johnson completed his Doctor of Pharmacy from the University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy. He completed his PGY1 Pharmacy and PGY2 Pediatric Pharmacy Residencies at the University of Kentucky Chandler Medical Center. He is board certified in pharmacotherapy and pediatrics. In addition to this, he is a fellow of the Pediatric Pharmacy Association, American College of Critical Care Medicine, and American Society of Health-System Pharmacy.

Current employment, practice, and academic responsibilities:

Dr. Johnson is currently a Professor and President's Associate Presidential Professor at the University of Oklahoma College of Pharmacy (OUCOP) on the campus of the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center (OUHSC) in Oklahoma City, OK. He teaches across the Doctor of Pharmacy program as well as in other interprofessional programs on the OUHSC campus. His current practice site is at the Oklahoma Children's Hospital at OU Health on the OUHSC campus where he practices as a clinical specialist in the pediatric Cardiac Intensive Care Unit (CICU). Dr. Johnson is the director of a curricular track focused in pediatric pharmacy in the Doctor of Pharmacy program at the OUCOP and director of the PGY2 Pediatric Pharmacy Residency program in conjunction with Oklahoma Children’s Hospital at OU Health.

Significant projects and accomplishments:

In his role with the OUCOP, Dr. Johnson created a curricular track for Doctor of Pharmacy students focused on pediatric pharmacy, called the Pediatric Degree Option Program (PDOP). Through this program, students are able to complete didactic and experiential elective requirements in pediatrics. Currently, there have been 50 graduates of the PDOP since 2010, with approximately half of these graduates completing a PGY1 Pharmacy residency at a children’s hospital or academic medical center with pediatric pharmacy rotations available.

What has been your ASHP journey?

I first became a member of ASHP as a 1st year Doctor of Pharmacy student at the University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy. Upon guidance from some of my mentors, I became involved with state affiliates of ASHP as a student and continued my involvement as a resident. As a new practitioner, I became a member of the Oklahoma Society of Health-System Pharmacists and became a committee member, committee chair, officer (x2), and member of the board of directors. Over the last 12 years, I have become more involved with ASHP.  First, I served on the Editorial Board with the American Journal of Health-System Pharmaicsts (AJHP).  I have served as member, Chair- and Past-Chair of the Pediatric Section Advisory Group within the Section of Clinical Specialists and Scientists. Currently, I serve a faculty member and content matter expert for ASHP’s Pediatric Pharmacy Specialty Review Course, which is designed for pharmacists seeking to obtain recertification credit or prepare for board certification for the pediatric pharmacy board certification.  In addition, I serve as a Senior Associate Editor with AJHP. With my passion for pharmacy education and residency training, I recently joined the Section of Pharmacy Educators and the Section Advisory Group focused on Development of Post-Graduate Education and Learning Experiences.

Share your thoughts on ASHP’s value as a professional organization in contributing to the education of the pharmacy workforce? What do you think are some key success, resources, and opportunities?

I believe that ASHP has an essential role in the education of pharmacy workforce. I think that the creation of the Section of Pharmacy Education is an excellent by ASHP step to create resources, toolkits, and other educational presentations to help faculty members, preceptors, and program directors. I think that this new section shows ASHP’s commitment to its members to help drive and support the education of the pharmacy workforce.

What advice would you provide for individuals new to your area of practice?

I would recommend to any new practitioner to get involved in professional organizations like ASHP. From my experiences, the relationships I have developed through ASHP or the state affiliates of ASHP have supported me in every phase of my career. I would also recommend that new practitioners not be afraid to seek advice from others within our profession who may practice in a different setting or role. Despite the differences in positions, I believe that there is more that we can learn from each other to help foster the education and training of our students and post-graduate residents.