What is your specialty, and why did you decide to choose it?
I attended Florida A&M College, where I received my Pharm.D. degree; and then I earned an M.B.A. from Rollins College in Orlando, where I grew up. I decided to go to Tallahassee for my Pharm.D. because it was close enough that I could get home in a hurry, but far enough away so my mom couldn't drop in whenever she wanted.

Right now, I have just been promoted to director of pharmacy for Priority Healthcare's Lake Mary specialty pharmacy. Priority Healthcare is a biologics pharmacy and distribution company that distributes new protein-based therapies, most of which can cost more than $1,000 per month. Some of the newer therapies are used to treat conditions such as hepatitis, HIV, multiple sclerosis and Parkinson's disease.

How long have you been involved in the profession?
At the age of 28, I have been involved in the profession for five years.

What is the one goal that you have set for yourself relative to your career?
I'd like to leverage my experience in reimbursements and new therapies to develop cost models that will help serve insurance companies and pharmaceutical companies. I'd like to provide cost-versus-benefits analysis, as well as examine the impact on patients who do not receive the treatments that they need. In my work, we look at types of medication, doses, treatments and regimens. I work with the four P's - patients, physicians, payers and pharmaceutical manufacturers.

What do you like best about working in the pharmaceutical field?
Pharmacists provide the most value-add for patients. We are a free source of information and services. With everything I do, I can be completely honest.

What are your most proud accomplishments in your profession? In your life?
I have been promoted three times in little over a year, from staff pharmacist to senior pharmacist to pharmacy manager to director of pharmacy. Now I oversee 65 to 70 people. I was able to build an insurance verification process from the ground up. I am proud of what I do for patients on an individual basis. Priority Healthcare has given me the opportunity to grow and excel.

In life, I am most proud to be a good dad to my 9-year-old son, and a good provider and husband.

What goes through your mind before you go to work each day?
I have a 45-minute commute, so I have time to think about what I did yesterday and what I need to do today to achieve better outcomes. I look at how I manage my interactions. Everything that we do is the sum of our interactions. What did I say, what didn't I say? What opportunities to coach and support did I miss?

What is your favorite part of the day?
From 4 to 6 p.m., because that's my crunch time; it's when my work comes to fruition. I have to push to make sure the patients get what they need, when they need it.

What, if any, barriers or challenges have you personally had to overcome?
I grew up without a father, so I have made it one of my goals to be a good father. Money was tight growing up. I believe I am more blessed than anything.

Are there challenges within the profession? If so, what are they?
What you are taught in college is only good for about one year. The pharmaceutical industry is in constant change. There are more and more drugs; there are more complex therapies. In pharmacy today, you have to specialize, similar to the medical model. To meet the needs of the baby boomers and the maturing populations, schools need to graduate more pharmacists.

How do you address health care disparities among minority populations within your profession?
One of the things that I deal with is the hepatitis population, which has a high incidence in minorities. The increased complexity of the treatments combined with cultural differences and deficits in education make it critical for us to impart knowledge and information. Patients have to feel as if they are a part of their health care team. We try to empower them.

Who is/are your role model(s) or mentor(s)?
My godfather, Mickey Walker, who is an accountant. He is a family-oriented Christian man who always taught me good values and gave me sound financial advice.

What are your plans for the future?
I'd like to at least aspire to the senior vice president level in a pharmaceutical company. My path has been going down the corporate management frontier. I'd like to continue on that path. I'd like to become more involved with benefits in the long term. My immediate goal here is to stabilize what I have done, and continue to develop the policies and procedures.

What words of wisdom do you have for students just graduating?
Education and training only gets you in the game. Your attitude and work ethic determine how far you will go.

What do you like to do in your spare time (hobbies, interests, sports, travel, volunteering)?
I like to freshwater fish. And like Bob Vila, I have 1,000 projects going at the same time at home that are 90 percent complete.