171 Swathi Varanasi-Diaz
Get ready for an inspiring conversation with the Dr. Swathi Varanasi-Diaz, who's shaking things up in the pharmacy world! Named one of 2023's 50 Most Influential Leaders in Pharmacy, Swathi shares her fascinating journey from pharmacy school to becoming a pioneer in integrative medicine and healthcare consulting.
With her PharmD from the Medical University of South Carolina and BA from Carleton College, Swathi has blazed quite a trail in pharmacy. She made history as the first U.S. pharmacist to complete a residency specialising in integrative medicine and preventative health. Add to that a biotech Medical Affairs fellowship and a Cornell nutrition certificate, and you've got someone who's seriously dedicated to expanding what's possible in pharmacy! You might have spotted her expertise featured in Yahoo, mindbodygreen, Well+Good, Self, Men's Health, Entrepreneur, and Forbes Health.
Growing up in New Jersey, Swathi got a front-row seat to the world of pharmacy through local pharmaceutical industry professionals and pharmacy owners. But here's where it gets interesting – when she hit pharmacy school, she quickly realised how clinically focused the curriculum was. Instead of letting that limit her, she decided to create her own path!
During school, Swathi didn't just stick to the usual routine. She dove into everything from laser microscopy research to phase III clinical trials. But one of her coolest achievements? Setting up a bilingual diabetes education program that's still helping students and patients today! Through her work with the Student National Pharmaceutical Association, she discovered her passion for leadership and serving underserved communities.
Let’s talk about creating your own opportunities! Swathi teamed up with a mentor to create something totally new – the first-ever integrative medicine pharmacy residency. They set it up across two unique sites: a cool 80-year-old independent pharmacy with a mixed healthcare team, and a traditional Chinese medicine clinic. Instead of following the usual rulebook for residencies, they kept things flexible, allowing for extra learning opportunities like certifications and startup experience.
These days, Swathi's rocking it as a consultant and fractional executive in the healthtech and CPG world, while advising various organisations and teaching future pharmacists. Her career path shows just how many doors can open when you're willing to think outside the box!
Swathi dropped some serious wisdom during our chat. Here are the golden nuggets:
1. Job Hunting Pro Tip: Those "required qualifications"? Think of them more like a wish list! If you've got transferable skills and enthusiasm, go for it.
2. Networking Made Simple: LinkedIn is your friend! Don't be shy about reaching out to people doing interesting things – the worst they can do is not respond.
3. Regular Check-ins: Take time every few months to reflect on what you're enjoying in your work and what you might want to change.
4. Creating Opportunities: Wherever you land, think about how you can create opportunities for others, especially students.
5. Transferable Skills Matter: Your pharmacy background is valuable in unexpected places – you just need to show people how your skills translate.
One of the most refreshing things about Swathi's approach is how she emphasises the importance of finding work that fits into your life, not the other way around. She encourages pharmacists to think about what brings them joy and build their careers around that.
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