We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Dr. Sue Ojageer . We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Dr. Sue below.
Dr. Sue , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to hear the backstory of how you established your own practice.
As a pharmacist, my passion lies in the ability to provide accessible and personalized care for my patients. In today’s fast-paced and ever-evolving healthcare landscape, patients are looking for a genuine and dedicated practitioner-patient relationship. They want someone who can take the time to review their medications and provide guidance on how to manage them effectively.
In the retail setting, it’s becoming increasingly challenging to provide this level of care, with many brick-and-mortar locations scaling back on patient-focused outcomes. However, I saw this as an opportunity to step up and become a patient advocate. I wanted to be someone who was relatable, trustworthy, and knowledgeable in my field of expertise.
What started off as a fun way to educate my followers on social media, quickly turned into a thriving patient concierge service. By leveraging the power of social media, I’m able to provide dedicated time with my patients, catch drug interactions and duplications, and utilize my knowledge as a clinical pharmacist. This has allowed me to build strong and meaningful relationships with my patients, and I’m proud to say that I’ve helped countless individuals achieve better health outcomes.
I’m proud to say that by staying relevant and utilizing technology, I am able to provide the best possible care for my patients. I am also able to provide a way for patients to be more involved in their health care and make their experience more personalized. Being a pharmacist is not just about dispensing medication, it’s about being geniune with your patients and providing them with the knowledge and resources they need to take control of their health. I am honored to be able to make a difference in the lives of my patients and I will continue to strive to make a positive impact in healthcare.
Starting your own practice can be a daunting task, but with the right mindset and approach, it can be an incredibly rewarding experience. My advice for a young professional who might be considering this path is to strive for your goals and have a solid plan in place.
First and foremost, it’s important to have a clear vision of what you want to achieve with your practice. This will help you to focus your efforts and ensure that you’re working towards an attainable goal. Additionally, it’s important to do your research and understand the needs of your target patient population. This will allow you to tailor your services to meet the specific needs of your patients, which will be vital in building a successful practice.
Next, it’s crucial to have a solid business plan in place. This should include a detailed financial analysis, a marketing strategy, and a plan for how you will manage the day-to-day operations of your practice. You will also want to be well-versed in the legal requirements of starting and running a business, including how to set up your entity, obtain licensing, and comply with regulations.
Another important factor is to make sure you have a strong support system in place. Starting your own practice can be a lonely and stressful journey, so it’s essential to surround yourself with people who can provide you with guidance, support, and encouragement. This can include mentors, colleagues, and friends.
Last but not least, be prepared to put in a lot of work! Starting your own practice will require a significant investment of time and resources, and it will not happen overnight. Be prepared to put in the effort and make the necessary sacrifices to ensure that your practice is successful.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers
As a pharmacist, my ultimate goal is to make a positive impact in healthcare by providing accessible and personalized care for my patients. This is why I chose to pursue a career in pharmacy. Growing up, I was always fascinated by the way pharmacists interacted with their patients at my local stores. They knew their names, had personal relationships with them and were always available to answer their questions. I knew that I wanted to be a part of that and I wanted to be someone who people could get to know and trust.
As a pharmacist, I understand that my patients are more than just numbers. Despite the busy and hectic pace of a retail setting, I strive to provide personalized and individualized care for each and every one of my patients. I make it a priority to get to know my patients, understand their unique needs and build personal relationships with them. This level of personalization is what sets me apart as a pharmacist and allows me to provide the best care for my patients.
I am also a functional and precision medicine specialist. Functional medicine involves identifying and addressing the underlying cause of a disease, rather than just treating symptoms. I go beyond the symptoms. I also provide precision medicine tools such as pharmacogenomic and nutrigenomic testing, which helps determine how DNA impacts a person’s response to medication and their diet. I am certified in pharmacogenomics which allows me to better understand how my patients’ genes impact how they respond to medications. Sometimes a smile, a listening ear, and a ginger ale can do as much for a person’s health as any drug dispensed behind the counter.
By creating a platform through PharmaSue, I have been able to reach a wider audience and educate them about various health-related topics, earning me the title of Best Pharmacist Influencer by my peers, colleagues and my patients.
One of the things I am most proud of is my advocacy for my patients’ health and providing genuine care for them. To me, my patients are more than just customers, they are individuals with unique needs and concerns. I strive to provide the same level of care and attention that I would want for a loved one.
I strive to treat my patients with compassion and empathy. Taking the time to listen to their concerns, answering their questions, and providing them with the support they need to manage their health.
My Patients are the most important stakeholders in their own health, I strongly promote patient autonomy as it is a crucial aspect of providing quality healthcare. By empowering my patients to take control of their health, I am not only helping them to manage their conditions more effectively, but also fostering a sense of ownership and responsibility for their own well-being.
How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?
My authenticity and genuine care for my patients has played a significant role in building my reputation within my market. I strive to be relatable, honest, and approachable, which helps me to connect with my patients and establish trust with them. I make it a priority to get to know my patients, understand their unique needs and concerns, and provide personalized care that is tailored to their specific needs.
Furthermore, my passion for my work and my ability to simplify complex medical information for my patients is also a key factor in building my reputation. I take the time to explain things in a way that is easy for patients to understand, which helps them to feel more informed and in control of their health. My fun and positive attitude is also an important aspect of my reputation, as it helps to alleviate any stress or anxiety that my patients may have about their healthcare experience.
Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?
There are many self-development books and media that I use to help me grow my mindset and develop a strong character. One of my favorites is “The Power of the Subconscious Mind” by Joseph Murphy is a popular book that explores the concept of harnessing the power of the subconscious mind to achieve personal and professional success. The book explains that the subconscious mind is the powerful force that controls our thoughts, beliefs, and actions, and that by tapping into this power, we can achieve our goals and manifest our desires.
It teaches techniques such as affirmations, visualization, and self-suggestion to help reprogram the subconscious mind and align it with our conscious goals. It also explains how to overcome negative thoughts and beliefs that may be holding us back from achieving our full potential.
Some of my favorites include:
“The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” by Stephen Covey – This book provides practical and powerful insights on how to achieve personal and professional success by developing good habits and ways of thinking.
“The Power of Positive Thinking” by Norman Vincent Peale – This book teaches the power of positive thinking and how it can change your life. It provides techniques and strategies for developing a positive mindset and achieving your goals.
“Think and Grow Rich” by Napoleon Hill – This book is a classic on personal development and success. It teaches the principles of success and how to apply them to achieve your goals.
“The Power of Now” by Eckhart Tolle – This book teaches the power of mindfulness and how to live In the present moment. It helps to develop a deeper understanding of yourself and the world around you.
“The Art of War” by Sun Tzu – This ancient Chinese text is not only a military strategy but also a guide on how to develop a strong character and strategy in life.
In addition to reading self-development books, I also listen to podcasts, attend workshops, and practice mindfulness and meditation to improve my mindset and to be a better professional and human. It’s important to continuously learn, grow and develop to be the best version of yourself.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.PharmaSue.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/pharma.sue?utm_medium=copy_link
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PharmaSue-104637788715946/
- Linkedin: http://www.linkedin.com/in/sueojageer
- Twitter: Sue Ojageer
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCjm9OBGX5hNmq_YbjH4pifw?sub_confirmation=1
Image Credits
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