Pharmacist Spotlight: Ashley Reid
Hawthorne Pharmacist Spotlight
Meet Ashley Reid, PharmD a pharmacist at Hawthorne Laurel Pharmacy.
Where did you go to school?
I attended the University of South Carolina for both undergrad and pharmacy school.
How long have you been with Hawthorne?
I graduated pharmacy school in 2015 and have been working for Hawthorne Pharmacy for the past five and a half years.
What made you want to go into pharmacy?
I have a lot of family in the medical field, so I have known that I wanted to go into the medical field for most of my life. I tried multiple paths while in school and found that I could make the biggest difference in pharmacy, and after many long talks with family, decided that it also suited my personality and skills best.
Why did you choose Hawthorne Pharmacy?
Throughout pharmacy school, I worked as an intern for a chain pharmacy. That time was invaluable to my education and I met lots of wonderful people in the Columbia community while working; however, that position did not feel as though it played an active role in the Columbia community. Hawthorne Pharmacy has been a trusted healthcare provider for the past 70 years, and that trust is demonstrated by all of our staff in every location. I love being able to go to work each day provided with the resources and support to go above what is expected for our patients.
What do you think is a benefit to our patients when using Hawthorne vs any other pharmacy?
At Hawthorne, I feel like we do an excellent job of communicating with the patient, with doctor's offices, and with each other, all of which add up to great healthcare. We make a point to not rush conversations and to make patients feel included, and strong relationships are a result of that communication.
What do you enjoy most about your work?
Working through the COVID crisis has made me appreciate my staff more than ever. Bill, Haley, and Alexandria are all amazing people and I am always impressed with how committed they are to their job. Having technicians that are reliable, determined, and just fun to be around motivates me to continue to improve our workplace and keeps me excited to work in healthcare. I love our team, and I hope that translates into the work we do.
Any hobbies? Fun facts?
I love being outside! My fiance and I spend a lot of time playing golf together on the weekends, and I'm looking forward to kayaking and camping this summer.
During my final year of pharmacy school, I spent a month working at a medical clinic in Masindi, Uganda with OneWorld Health. It was eye-opening to be involved in a healthcare system so different from the United States, and "thankful" does not come close to describing how I feel about the resources we have in America. All of the doctors, medical staff, and volunteers were so wonderful and so passionate about the aid they provided to that region. (I did have a bit of fun too! One weekend we rafted the Nile.)