Pharmacist Spotlight: Adenike Atanda-Oshikoya, PharmD, BCACP, CDCES, CTTS

Can you tell us a bit about your career and what you do now?

I earned my doctor of pharmacy degree from the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy [in Baltimore] in 2014, followed by completion of a PGY1 pharmacy practice residency at Valley Health [in Winchester, Viriginia], and a PGY2 ambulatory care pharmacy residency at the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Pharmacy. Currently, I serve as the assistant dean of pharmacy student success, director of introductory pharmacy practice experiences, and associate professor in the Department of Pharmacotherapy at the University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth College of Pharmacy (UNTHSC College of Pharmacy). Since joining the college in 2016, I have primarily taught didactic content on diabetes care and other chronic disease states, including musculoskeletal conditions and sickle cell disease. I am also passionate about postgraduate training and had the privilege of serving as the residency program director for the UNTSCP/HSC Health PGY2 Ambulatory Care Pharmacy Residency Program for 3 years, an experience I found deeply rewarding.

With a board specialty in ambulatory care practice, I provided pharmacotherapy services in adult and geriatric outpatient clinics for 9 years before transitioning to a full-time academic and administrative role. Additionally, I am a certified diabetes care and education specialist and served as the director of the HSC Health Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support Program for 3 years.

What does “nontraditional pharmacy” mean to you?

Traditionally, pharmacy practice has been associated with community and institutional settings. However, there are numerous other rewarding career paths within the profession, including academia, managed care, pharmacy informatics, regulatory affairs, and the pharmaceutical industry, among others. The term nontraditional pharmacy underscores the diversity of the field and highlights the valuable contributions these roles make in ensuring optimal patient care.

How have you seen pharmacy evolve throughout your career?

Throughout my career, I have witnessed the profession evolve to address the expanding needs of patients, students, and the interdisciplinary health care team. There has been a growing emphasis on interprofessional education and practice, holistic health and wellness, population health, outcomes-based practice, and increased advocacy and visibility for the profession. Pharmacists are now being trained not only as medication experts but also as integral contributors to patient care at various levels. New graduates are pioneering unique career paths, and institutions are supporting initiatives that provide pharmacists with more diverse and enriched practice settings and opportunities. As an ambulatory care pharmacist, I have benefited from collaborative practice agreements that enabled me to manage more than 30 chronic disease states and engage in reimbursable service models such as diabetes self-management training and chronic care management. Additionally, pharmacists are increasingly pursuing nontraditional roles, including positions as medical science liaisons and health economics outcomes researchers.

What does it mean to you to be awarded the 2024 Nontraditional Woman Pharmacist of the Year?

I am deeply honored to receive this award, which reflects my passion for academia and my commitment to advancing women in our field. I am grateful to be recognized alongside the other nominees and awardees, whose impactful work is driving essential change within the profession.

Over the past 3 years, I have had the privilege of serving on the mentorship committee of the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy Women in Academia Specialty Interest Group, initially as a member and mentor and more recently as chair for the 2024-2025 leadership cycle. This experience has provided me with valuable insights into the significant contributions women pharmacists have made both nationally and internationally across diverse settings. It is encouraging to see that the profession is in capable hands, and I look forward to witnessing its continued evolution over the next decade.