Get Into Action

The two steps that I needed to complete to start working towards my goal is: 

1. finding an attorney to help me review my legal document that needs to be submitted to the state. I contacted student legal services for assistance. However, the attorney was unable to help me due to the contractual agreements that he has with UIC. He did, however, give me a list of other organizations that may be able to assist me in filing my document at a very cheap rate, if not for free. I have yet to contact any of the organizations, because right now, with work and school.  I do not have any time to schedule any meetings. Especially not until after my exams. I'll take care of this as soon as possible.

2. I said that I was going to search for an accountant that may assist with making sure that all of the financial information on the document was correct and ready to be filed. I got extremely lucky with this. One of the gentlemen who I am working on this project with has a friend who is an accountant. So he merely gave me the gentleman's business card and told me to give the guys a call to set up the appointment ( after he gave him the heads up, of course). He did, again due to school and work constraints, I am unable to schedule any appointments until after next week.

I can't wait for the moment when I don't have to study anymore. It's not going to happen anytime soon, but it's nice to dream isn't it?

Role Model Interview #3 / Goal Chart

This week I chose to interview two people in the world of pharmacy. The first is Dr. Richard Rooney, the Director of Pharmacy at the VA Jesse Brown Memorial Hospital. It is a bit of an interesting story how Dr. Rooney and I came into contact with each other. As the VP of the UIC undergraduate pre-pharmacy club, I was tasked to find a guest/keynote speaker for the organizations end of the year banquet. After having my 3 potential speakers back out on me, after they said they would/could do this for me,  I began to get nervous. It was my first real task, as the vice president, to find a speaker that was able to not only come in and speak, but further increase the club members interest in the world of pharmacy. Then I got an idea, I called a friend/associate of mine at the VA Jesse Brown hospital.  I emailed Ms. Valerie Creedon, the OIF and OEF project manager at the hospital and explained my situation. She called me back within 20 minutes. She was so excited, she said, that she didn't want to email. Valerie told me she had the perfect person to speak at the banquet. After a few minutes of telling me who Dr. Rooney was, and how much of a fantastic individual he was, I began to get excited. Valerie said she had already emailed Dr. Rooney and he was delighted to come and speak. I then emailed Dr. Rooney. In his response, he confirmed what Valerie had told me. Oh happy day! Then I had another idea. I figured that if Dr. Rooney was interested, I could use him as another one of my role models for my blog interview. I asked, and I was extremely delighted when he said that he would make time to allow me to interview him for a class project. So I set up a meeting with Dr. Rooney when it was convenient for him,  and I asked him similar questions to those that I asked the other interviewees. Thank you in advance Dr. Rooney!!!

 

JJ: How did you get your start in pharmacy? What were your biggest influences in making this decision? Had you always wanted to be a pharmacist?

DR: When I was a junior in high school, my best friends dad encouraged me to go into pharmacy because he though I was pretty intelligent young man. Therefore, I did.

 

JJ: Where did you get your Pharm. D.? What type of job did you have before you became a pharmacist? I graduated from the University of Nebraska in 1974 with a bachelor’s in biology. I obtained my Pharm. D. in 1984 from the University of Nebraska College of Pharmacy.

 

JJ: How big of a role did the military play a role or help you in becoming a pharmacist? After becoming a pharmacist?

DR: I graduated from pharmacy school in 1984. I joined the military in 1985. My military occupation was a 67 Echo, a military pharmacist. Being a pharmacist in the military helped a lot because the military preaches the LDRSHIP values as a code of conduct for all military personnel. So in addition to learning everything I could about pharmacy, I also learned quite a bit about how to be a good person.

 

JJ: How did you come into the position of pharmacy director for the Jesse Brown Medical Center? Describe your transition from pharmacist to director of pharmacy?

DR: I always had aspirations of joining the military, eve as a child. I got into the VA in 1978. After my first three years in pharmacy school, I signed up to join the Air Force. After my basic training I went to a 1-year pharmacy administration-training program. Shortly, afterwards, I ended up at Scott Air force Base in Louisiana, where I set up the first unit dose program for the entire military base. After that I became a pharmacy instructor in the military and worked my way up until I obtained the position I’m in now.

 

JJ:  What do you like/ enjoy most about being a pharmacist/ director of pharmacy?

DR: As a pharmacist, I like the idea that I can help people take charge of their health. As the director of pharmacy, I like the idea of being able to help doctors and nurses help people take control of their personal health. Plus, as an administrator, you have control over what goes on with different clinical groups.

 

JJ: What do you like least about being a pharmacist/ director of pharmacy?

DR: As a kid, I always enjoyed helping people. So I can honestly say, that as long as I’m helping people in their everyday lives then there is nothing to dislike.

 

JJ: Do you have any advice for a young man who is attempting to do what you accomplished? Is there anything that I should be aware of or cautious of?

DR: Throughout life, you are going to have to learn to impress people in order to get to a position that you want. Influence people above, below and on peer level. Establish a good rapport with the people on these levels. Other than that, keep your grades up.

 

JJ: If there was one thing that you know now that you wish you would have known back then? What is it?

DR: Always have a back up plan, in case your first idea falls through.

 

JJ: What is your fondest memory of being a pharmacist? What is your greatest achievement or accomplishment, if different from fondest memory?

DR: Getting residency program started here at the VA Jesse Brown Medical center started back in 1991. Then helping and watching people mature through this system and become magnificent pharmacists.

 

JJ: When do you feel like you’ve done enough and decide to retire? What are your post retirement activities?

DR: I’ve been in the military for 22 years, in pharmacy for 31 plus, I’m working until I get my 40 years in pharmacy. Then I can retire, happily, with my two respective pensions.

 

My next interview was with a Ms. Kayla Stanford, a pharmacy technician, at a local Walgreen’s drug store.

 

JJ: How long have you been working at Walgreen’s? Have you always worked in the pharmacy there?

KS: About two years and two months. Yes, but I’ve had other jobs prior to working there.

 

JJ: What made you want to get a job in the pharmacy?

KS: I knew that I would have to get a job in the pharmacy prior to pharmacy school. I wanted to see if pharmacy was something I would be interested in doing, before I decided to spend the next eight years in school for something that I didn’t like doing.

 

JJ: What influences did you have to want to become a pharmacist?

KS: When I got the job, I immediately enjoyed working in the pharmacy so that was obviously a big influence. Also, the amount of money attracted me to the profession as well. However, prior to these I had a talk with my mom about what I wanted to do in my professional career. She suggested pharmacy and I’ve been on that path ever since.

 

 

JJ: What do like most about working in the pharmacy?

KS: I like the face-to-face interaction with the patients.

 

JJ: What do you like least about working in the pharmacy?

KS: I dislike calling insurance companies to verify a patient’s insurance, because many of the customer service representatives from these companies have horrible attitude. Also, when people write themselves fake prescriptions or call in phony prescriptions. Both are extremely stressful and time consuming.

 

JJ: What helped you most in studying for your licensing exam?

KS: My employer, Walgreen, paid for a 4-week training course, the materials for the class, gas reimbursement, and once I passed the course, I received a raise.

 

JJ: Do you have any advice for me as young man planning on entering the world of pharmacy?

KS: If you want to work in pharmacy, get job experience in various types of pharmacies. For example, retail, hospital, etcetera, just to see if pharmacy is something that you really want to do.

Role Model Interviews #2

I am extremely appreciative of this weeks assignment. I know the DivaProf said you would get more out of interviewing someone you didn't know, and that very well may be true for some. However, in my opinion I don't think I would've gained one-millionth of insight from a stranger than I did from this week's interviewees. Shout out to Dr. Rock! No offense though! The reason I say this is because yes I have, at one point of time, interacted with both of my role models and these interactions is what made me want to approach them on this assignment; and I think by them knowing me, the interview were, for lack of a better vocabulary, informal and somewhat unprofessional. I think this is what made it easier for them to open up and get personal with me. With that being said, Dr. Rock, I apologize for not taking your advice (this time). I still very much appreciate your advice and your opinion in all instances.

Last week was me reaching out to my pharmacy role models. For this week's assignment, I interviewed two role models who have had enjoyed quite a bit of success while working in non-profit organizations. When I say success, I'm not talking about the financial gains made in running a successful non-profit organization. I'm speaking of the success of helping your fellow man or woman, when he or she may not have sufficient means of doing this on their own; and then the ability to duplicate that success, improve on it, and help even more people. This is what these two gentlemen have done countless times... over and over, without tiring, getting lazy,  or becoming complacent with all of the achievements or accolades they've respectively received. I to, one day, will achieve this level of success! So I would like to say thank you George and Warren, in advance, for taking the time out to meet with someone like myself. It means more to me than words can say. 

My first interview was with Mr. George Randazzo, the owner of National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame, a NPO based out of Chicago, right in the heart of the UIC campus. Although I had questions prepared, the meeting felt more like a conversation than an actual interview. It was very unstructured but for this blog, I'll list the Q & A similar to how I did last week.

JF: How did you get involved with non-profit organizations? What made you want to open up your own non-profit organization? Where there any influences in your decision making? How old were you/ what year did you begin?

GR: I started off as a buyer for Motorola in 1977. During this time period an acquaintance wanted me to help throw a dinner bring the world boxing champions together to raise funds for a school sponsored by the Italian Boxing Hall of Fame. In order to raise money to host a , I had to do two things, quit my job, and file for my 501C3 license.  Once I got licensed, I was able to receive donations. That's how I got my start.

JF: Why the National Italian American Hall of Fame? Where did the idea come from? Any influences?

I was always into sports. I started as a kid organizing social clubs, baseball teams, et-cetera  in the neighborhood because I always had a passion for helping people; especially young people. The night after I hosted my first event, with well over 2,500 attendees, I began receiving phone calls from some of the people in attendance saying that they were from such and such company and they like what I was doing and was willing to give me an office to work out of, and other businessmen calling and saying that they would donate to my organization and sponsor upcoming events. At that point, I decided that I would like to incorporate the other sports into my business, and in 1978 I changed the name from The National Italian Boxing Hall of Fame to The National Italian-American Sports Hall of Fame. 

My biggest influence was my father. He was hardworking, he respected my mother, and he was outstanding at providing for his family. I knew I wanted to be like him when I got older.

JF: What do you like about opening up and running your own NPO? 

GR: That I am my own boss, and I am in total control of every decision that is made around here.

JF:  You obviously have achieved a great level of success, what keeps you coming to work every day? 

GR: My young innovative staff, that shares my ideas and passions.

JF: Were there any moments where you though that you would not make it, or you wanted to give up and do something else?

GR: No, when I started this organization I had so many people telling me that they didn't want me to succeed. However, I constantly believed that what I was doing was right, so I never allowed anyone's negative attitudes to influence my decision making.  

JF: What is your fondest memory or the highlight of of career as the owner of the NIASHF?

GR: The fondest memory I have since opening the Hall of Fame is meeting one of my childhood idols, Joe DiMaggio, and having him join my board of directors which helped make our transition from the Italian Boxing Hall of Fame to the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame. The highlight of my career was in 1998. I met Jerry Colangelo and he helped raise money to build the NIASHF museum on Taylor street. 

JF: Do you have any advice for a young man wishing to run his own NPO? Is there anything I should cautious of?

GR: Find your dream and hopefully make it a reality. You will have to come up with your own idea, and see it through to the end. Have a good attorney, a good accountant, loyal friends, and a good board of directors who you trust. Lastly, never give out cash and never receive cash from anybody.

JF: Give me one thing that you know now that you wish you would have known back then? 

GR: I wish I could have gotten more schooling. I went to Wright College for one semester for a year. 

The next interview is with a gentleman named Warren Chapman former Vice-President of NPO known as the Joyce Foundation, he also ran two other successful NPO's in conjunction with the Joyce Foundation. The format of this interview went a little differently than the one with Mr. Randazzo. There were unforeseen circumstances that prevented us from meeting face to face. However, we conducted the interview via e-mail. Due to time constraints I'll cut and paste the questions and the answers.

What are the names of the NPO's you were involved in? How long were you involved with them? What was your position or role with the diffe rent organizations?

 

How old were you when you first began working in NPO's? What drew you to these particular organizations? Where there influences from friends, family, etcetera? 

 

What did you most like about working=2 0with NPO's? If there was anything, what did you dislike the most about working with them? 

 

What is you fondest memory of working in any of these organizations? If different from your fondest memory, what was you greatest or most memorable achievement in working in an NPO?

 

Is there anything that you know now that you wish you would have known back then? And this could be anything, from anytime period; not necessarily your experience in the world of NPO's.

 

Do you have any advice for a young man (myself) wishing to run a successful NPO? For example things I should try to do or things I should be cautious about?

 

Does Bonnie still make that banana flavored ice cream? ( I think it was ice cream) And when can I get some of that? Obviouslly this has nothing to do with my assignment. I figured I'd ask anyway.

I started working with the Chicago Youth Centers (CYC) at their Summer Camp in 1972, as the Arts and Craft Director. In the fall of 1972, I was hired by CYC as the Director of Arts and Crafts for the all of their youth centers in Chicago. I left CYC in 1975. In 1973, I became the Summer Camp Director for CYC ( I hired you dad and the rest is history).

 

Prior to working at CYC, I worked at Franklin Park Day Camp as a counselor in the summers of  1960 and 1961, my father was the Park Supervisor. I had to go to work with my father in the summer, so I got paid and had fun at the same time. I was 12 years old when I worked at the park. I liked working the kids, and learning from the adults who supervised all of us. Later, when I taught art, I liked watching the students get excited when they made something or they painted a picture and realized that they had talent and some were interested in pursuing a career in art.

 

As the summer camp director, I was able to give city kids from poor neighborhoods an opportunity to relax and have fun in the woods, away from the traffic and hustle of the city. We also take kids how to swim and fish for the first times in their lives.

 

I learned a lot about myself in those years, and as I look back, I did not know how much it meant to give kids a chance to experience life in a different setting from the one they came from. Also, I did not realize how much I was learning about life until years later, when I reflect on my past experiences and how they have helped to shape my present thinking.

 

Be true to what you believe in, and do what you do to make the world a better place, do something great for the world, not yourself.

 

Bonnie makes banana pudding, but Monica and I have not been able to get her to make it for years.

 

Later

 

Warren

 

 

 

 

Proffessional Interview #1

Proffessional Interview #1

In selecting who conduct these interview with I chose two of my friends who happen to be doing my dream proffession. Unfortunately, only one of my friends was able to parcipate in this assignment, at the moment, due to work constraints.

My only interviewee is a long time friend of mine. We went to high school together, separated after college and recently found eachother via facebook. Her name is Dr. Dawn Edwards who is currently a registered pharmacist and working in Walgreens here in Chicago, IL.

JF: How long has pharmacy been a part of your life?

DDE: Since I was a small child. I was maybe 11 or 12, when I realized my favorite Aunt Sharon was a pharmacist. 

JF: How did that influence you to choose a career in pharmacy?

DDE: I didn't think I knew what I wanted to do then, but I always found her fascinating, not only because she was my favorite aunt of my moms three sisters, but the majority of kids during that age wanted to be doctors, but I didn't have any doctors in my family. I had Aunt Sharon, the pharmacist, and since I wanted to be like her. I also wanted to be a pharmacist.

JF: What was more rewarding, graduating from pharmacy school or obtaining a job in your career field?

DDE: I struggled all throughout pharmacy school at Xavier, and when I graduated I felt I was on top of the world. I was very thankful for everything that God blessed me with. However, when I finally got a job offer, it was especially rewarding because someone was willing to give me a chance to do something that I loved. Plus, working in Louisiana as a student I was extremely exited to come back home (Chicago) to work.

JF: What do you like most about your job as a pharmacist? 

DDE: I enjoy the feeling of knowing that I am helping people feel better. I know that I have the power to save or preserve someone's life. That thought alone keeps me coming to work, even when I don't feel like it. 

JF: Now the tough question, what do you like least about being a pharmacist?

DDE: (laughing) Boy, it'll take another 30 or 45 minutes to tell you everything that's I don't like. 

JF: Ok, well just name a few things that I may have to be aware of as a future pharmacist.

DDE: The one thing I always complain to my husband about, working in retail pharmacy, is the long hours. By me being the head pharmacist at my store, I often have to come into work earlier than the other employees and stay later once the store begins closing. 

JF: So the long hours get to you sometimes?

DDE: Definitely, but when I go home tired I feel like I've done my job. It's the time away from my husband that I miss.

JF: That's understandable, is there anything else that may make work as a pharmacist tough for me?

DDE: The other big thing is dealing with the customers. A lot of the time the customers are polite and friendly, but then you usually have one or two customers per day that come in, and they are late picking up their kids from daycare or school, or they put a prescription in and it isn't ready when they want it to, and they can be pretty nasty to the workers. 

JF: Oh yes, the dreaded unhappy customer.

DDE: Yeah, but what they don't realize is that getting an attitude isn't going to help them get out of the store faster.

JF: That's understandable, is there any thing else?

DDE: Other than technical issues, there's really nothing else that bothers me at work.

JF: Fair enough! Last question, do you have any advice for a future pharmacist or anything that you know now that you wish you would have known then that you know now?

DDE: Throughout you life you are going to have people tell you why you shouldn't do something or that they would recommend you do something else. Don't listen to them for one second, because what they are doing is making you second guess your self and your dreams. Do it anyway! No matter what it is! 

For the optional section of the blog this week, one of my things I like to do is meet new people from different places. I was able to do something I liked this weekend, when I attended a conference in Warrenville, IL. for the Midwestern Regional Student Veteran's of America. There were representatives present from maybe ten or fifteen different colleges and universities in the midwest region. I had an opportunity to meet guys, and girls from colleges in Iowa, Missouri, Ohio, Illinois, etc. The two day conference, but we took care of business as well. We're looking to implement new legislation in these different policies for veteran's services at the respective schools. I was extremely happy to be a part of it and potentially make some new friends.