What is your specialty, and why did you decide to choose it?
My specialty is pediatric pharmacy. I developed a deep interest in pediatrics as a senior pharmacy student in 1980, while taking a rotation in general pediatrics at San Francisco General Hospital. Bob Levin was my preceptor and has been a mentor for pediatric practice ever since. I chose pediatrics because in keeping with my theme of wanting to be a "difference maker," I felt there was no higher calling than to work with children.

One of my most gratifying experiences as a practitioner has been working to establish the Pediatric Pain Team at UCSD. We established the team for the simple reason that we were not as effective as we needed to be in managing pain in our patients. Perhaps the salient reason for this challenge has to do with a number of myths involving the use of medications frequently employed to treat pain. I also have been involved with the UCSD Sickle Cell Support Group, which helps to provide education to parents and families about the disease. It's a fascinating group. I have learned so many things from the parents that have allowed me to be a more effective practitioner.

How long have you been involved in the profession?
I have been a licensed pharmacist since 1981.

What is the one goal that you have set for yourself relative to your career?
Work hard, work smart and always be prepared to take advantage of opportunities.

What do you like best about working in the pharmaceutical field?
I like being a member of the health care team who possesses a very specialized body of knowledge. In many ways, I look at myself as the applied chemist on the team. My expertise is in the specific use of these chemicals in young children to promote positive medical outcomes. I enjoy teaching students and residents about pediatric pharmacology. I am truly in my element, however, when I am teaching families about their children's medication issues. When you work with children, by definition, you have to work with families. This is clearly the best part of my job. Medical problems often provoke feelings of fear, anxiety and uncertainty. When I sit and speak to the families, I try to calm and reassure them. It is important to develop a rapport with them. I speak in plain, everyday English. I establish that we are there for the child as well as for them.

The other thing I like about being a pharmacist is that I can walk into any home in America, look at the drugs in the medicine cabinet and instantly know some things about the residents there that the most intimately involved individuals in their lives are unaware of. I do not recommend doing this with family or close friends. You may find out about circumstances that you would prefer to know nothing about.

Do you find yourself becoming attached to your patients?
I have seen a number of them grow from little seeds to strapping young adults. Do I find myself attached - of course! When I first became involved in pediatrics, I didn't have children myself, it was more of my education and training experiences that I applied. But now I have children, my involvement in many cases has become much more visceral. I find that I frequently relate to them as one parent to another.

What are your most proud accomplishments in your profession? In your life?
The things that stand out in my professional life are graduating from both UC Berkeley and UC San Francisco (Pharmacy School); practicing pharmacy on four different continents; being an officer in the U.S. Army and a decorated veteran of Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm (1990-1991) and Bosnia (1996); being a faculty member in two schools of pharmacy (UCSF, UCSD), a school of nursing (San Diego State University), and a school of medicine (UCSD, Department of Pediatrics); receiving Outstanding Teaching awards from the Division of Family Practice, Department of Pediatrics and the Department of Pharmacy, Residency Programs at UCSD; holding fellowships in both the California Society of Health-System Pharmacists (FCSHP) and the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (FASHP); being selected as Pharmacist of the Year in San Diego; being selected as a Novation-Pediatric Pharmacy Advocacy Group Scholar for exemplary Pediatric Pharmacy Practice; and selection as a "Health Hero" for my work in the sickle cell anemia community in San Diego by the Combined Health Agencies (CHAD). These are a few of the things that come to mind.

I was an officer in the U.S. Army for 10 years. When the Gulf War broke out in the Middle East in 1990-1991, I was sent to Saudi Arabia. Although very concerned about my safety, I thought that I still had what it took to withstand the rigors of military life in a combat environment. Prior to that time I had never been involved in anything more stressful than the Boy Scouts. As a company commander, I soon discovered what pressure and stress really was when my unit was under fire. It was perhaps one of the most exhilarating experiences in my life. Being in a position to take care of wounded soldiers is one of the most satisfying things that I have done with my pharmacy training.

In my life? I am extremely proud of my family. I am proud of the fact that my wife chose me to be her life's partner. I am a living example of how obtaining an education and taking advantage of the opportunities afforded educated individuals in this country can truly elevate your standing in society. My family was not well off financially, but the elders in my family taught us that if you have an education, you have an opportunity to be someone. I feel that I am living proof of that philosophy. I teach my children the same way. I was the first to graduate from college in my family of five children. I am also proud of the fact that I have mentored and steered many young people into pharmacy who are now enjoying successful careers in the profession.

What goes through your mind before you go to work each day?
I usually go through the list of commitments, meetings, lectures and so forth that I have for the day.

What is your favorite part of the day?
Coming home, seeing my family and finding out about the wonders of their day.

What, if any, barriers or challenges have you personally had to overcome?
Not understanding the importance of networking early in my career. Consequently, it probably took me longer to achieve some of the success that I've been fortunate to have.

Are there challenges within the profession? If so, what are they?
There are numerous challenges within the profession. Everything from the high cost of medications, making it very difficult for those with limited resources who often need it the most, to the issues surrounding the medically uninsured or underinsured; having to always cost justify our worthiness to be top-tiered members of the health care team; pharmacist shortage (need to recruit broader, more diversely); the universal reimbursement for pharmacists providing direct care to patients in a clinical setting; and mastering the new technology, which will enable the medical profession to administer medications more safely to patients.

How do you address health care disparities among minority populations?
San Diego is a community with a very diverse population. The San Diego pharmacy community has been involved for years in trying to provide educational opportunities for minorities and the economically disadvantaged. We have been involved with community churches; we have conducted health fairs; and we have participated in a free clinic program sponsored by UCSD, which targets the low-income and minority populations. We have worked with the high schools in promoting pharmacy as a possible career for young people. We have participated in a similar manner with more nationally known programs such as Upward Bound. We have promoted internship opportunities at our places of business for many young people in the community. Once again, a significant number of these individuals are from the economically disadvantaged and minority elements of the community. We have participated in specific support groups (e.g., UCSD Sickle Cell Anemia Support Group) to help enhance the knowledge of those with specific health problems.

Who is/are your role model(s) or mentor(s)?
Without doubt, my major role models are my parents, Lloyd and Darline Mahoney. My mother taught us from a very young age the importance of service to the community. I remember as a young boy growing up in the '50s going door-to-door with my mother soliciting funds for the March of Dimes or Muscular Dystrophy. She always was a strong community advocate and had a desire to help others less fortunate. My dad has always instilled in me the importance of doing work that you can be proud of.

What are your plans for the future?
Continue working in the community (especially working with the sickle cell disease population) and be more involved in community education regarding discussions on the use of medications. I also plan on continuing to be a cheerleader for the profession, and to promote a career in pharmacy to young people. I will continue to hone my skills as a pharmacist. In my profession you are by definition a lifelong learner. The amount of information you need to know in order to practice seems to increase logarithmically with each passing year.

What words of wisdom do you have for students just graduating?
If I were to paraphrase the words of four of my favorite authors and philosophers: Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Robert Frost, Albert Einstein and Langston Hughes, it would probably go something like this: "Dare to dream and be opportunistic (King), be imaginative (Einstein), understand others and help them understand you (Hughes), but don't spend too much time admiring your successes because there is too much work to do (Frost)."

What do you like to do in your spare time (hobbies, interests, sports, travel, volunteering)?
I spend a significant amount of time with my family. My wife and I enjoy the theatre, music and romantic dinners. I like sports (basketball, football and baseball). I enjoy genealogy (I'm one of the family historians). I'm also an avid coin collector (I especially like Morgan Silver Dollars). I periodically volunteer for veterans' causes (e.g., "Stand Down") for veterans who need the occasional helping hand.

I am married to a wonderful woman, Nancy (a pediatric registered nurse); and we have four special children: Katherine, Elizabeth, Kayla and Matthew.