Anthony Amadio is a Clinical Pharmacy Specialist at Kelowna General Hospital in Kelowna, British Columbia. He specializes in Critical Care, conducts research, and teaches both medical and pharmacy students and residents.
Where They’re Working:
At Kelowna General, Anthony’s days are anything but predictable. Working in Critical Care means that most patients Anthony sees are in acute states:
Things tend to change minute to minute in these patients. They require constant evaluation of therapy and reassessment. The broad scope of the patients makes it quite challenging – we see trauma, surgical and all types of medical patients.
As a pharmacy student, Anthony saw himself working in primary care. He didn’t necessarily anticipate that he would land in a hospital five years later:
“It wasn’t until my hospital residency where I was able to experience a team-based environment in acute care,” he explains, “that I decided I would like to pursue a career in hospital pharmacy.”
Reflections
on
the
Program
"As I was going through school and residency I felt it was the people and preceptors I met and worked with along the way that enhanced my learning experience."
"I felt that I truly benefited from the extra effort that was put forth by instructors and preceptors to enhance my learning and now realize exactly how much work that truly was."
From Sault St. Marie, Ontario to Kelowna, BC
“I had never been that far west,” Anthony says, discussing his decision to move to British Columbia to pursue a PharmD, “and I was excited to explore another part of the country while receiving further training and education in a field that I was passionate about.”
Anthony (second from left) and colleagues at Kelowna General
Anthony enrolled in the University of British Columbia’s PharmD program shortly before the University of Waterloo launched their own PharmD program, and he’s maintained a positive relationship with both schools. In addition to being on-the-job educator for students and residents, he lectures in Advanced pharmacotherapeutics for UBC and is a member of the UW Pharmacy Alumni Advisory Panel. Anthony’s interest in these positions stems from his own time as a student receiving mentorship:
I can reflect back on experiences I had with a number of people through my time as a learner that had great influence on my career path. I am hopeful that my involvement with the universities will offer opportunities like I had to a greater number of students.
Alumni Answers
UW: In addition to your primary care focus, you conduct extensive research. What prompted your interest in pharmacy research?
AA: I have a personal interest in medical literature, specifically on how it is conducted and critically appraising the studies. I hope to determine exactly what the results of clinical trials mean, and how I can apply them to daily practice. Being involved in different research projects allows me to be more critical of published literature which I believe in turn, helps me provide patient care.
UW: Why might pharmacy students be interested in the research aspect of pharmacy practice?
AA: Actually participating in the research helps develop a deeper understanding of research methodology which becomes very applicable when reading literature in the future. It also provides a great opportunity to collaborate with a professionally diverse and intelligent group of people.
Research projects can be extremely time consuming and there is always the potential for challenges – that can lead you to pull some hair out during the process. That being said, I find it very rewarding even if your project doesn’t produce the results you were initially hoping for.
UW: Was moving across the country for school and work challenging for you?
AA: From an academic standpoint, I felt the decision was easy for me. At the time I decided to pursue my Pharm D I was committed to getting started and finishing my education as soon as I could (the sooner I could pay off loans, the better).Personally, the decision was much more difficult. Vancouver would be the furthest I had ever lived from my family and I would no longer be able to drive home for a weekend (even though it was a 7+ hour drive from Waterloo). I had also just graduated from Waterloo with an amazing group of friends who I wouldn’t be able to see nearly as frequently. Fortunately, my girlfriend (now wife) was also very supportive at the time, encouraging me to pursue this goal and it seems to have all worked out.
Non-Pharm Fun
"Luckily for me, I live in a place that encourages you to get outside and get moving. I love to get out and hike and camp in the summer and ski in the winters. My wife and I also enjoy travelling, having just come back from a tour of China.
We are hoping to explore as much of the province of BC as possible while we are out here. I still play ice hockey once or twice per week and really enjoy getting out and playing golf.”