Dear GSHP Members,

Today, October 12, 2020, is recognized as National Women Pharmacist Day to celebrate the advancement women have made pursuing careers in pharmacy.  This day was chosen during National Pharmacist Month in honor of the first female pharmacist, Elizabeth Gooking Greenleaf, who had 12 children and opened an apothecary in Boston in 1727.   While we celebrate the contributions of all women in pharmacy, I would like to take this opportunity to showcase the accomplishments of one of our members and past presidents, Leslie Jaggers, Pharm.D., BCPS, FASHP.  Dr. Jaggers was kind enough to give me a few minutes of her time to share her journey and thoughts regarding the role of women in pharmacy.

Dr. Jaggers has had a storied and diverse career path that began at the University of Georgia where she completed a B.S. degree in pharmacy as well as her Pharm.D.  She went on to complete a residency at the University of Kentucky in Clinical Practice.    Her career has taken her in numerous directions from Clinical Supervisor for Adult Medicine at Shands Hospital at the University of Florida, to a Clinical Affairs Associate position with ASHP, to her 20 years of service as the Cardiovascular Clinical Pharmacist at Piedmont Atlanta Hospital, the last 4 years with the Samsky Advanced Heart Failure Center.  Today, she is sharing her wealth of knowledge and experience through her current position as a Cardiovascular Field Medical Director at Pfizer.

She has also been actively involved in numerous pharmacy organizations at the local, state, and national level.   She has been a presidential officer for both the Georgia Society of Health System Pharmacists as well as the Atlanta Academy of Institutional Pharmacists.  She is a fellow of ASHP and has served on the ASHP Council for Therapeutics and House of Delegates.  She has been a member of the Dean’s Advisory Board for the University of Georgia College of Pharmacy and was awarded the AAIP Pharmacist of the Year in 2009 and GSHP Pharmacist of the Year in 2018. She has been an integral part of shaping the future of many pharmacists as a pharmacy practice residency program director, preceptor, and adjunct clinical associate professor.  

Dr. Jaggers believes that we have not had to look far to see the impact of women on the profession of pharmacy and will continue to see great progress in their contributions.  She has witnessed growth and opportunity over the course of her career and anticipates women will have a strong presence in pharmacy for years to come.   Dr. Jaggers acknowledged Sarah Mullis, RPh, former Director of Pharmacy at Piedmont Atlanta Hospital, and Chris Sorkness, RPh, Pharm.D. from the University of Wisconsin as two specific examples of the many women who influenced her career in positive, but different ways.  Sarah embraced servant leadership and demonstrated what could be accomplished through leading by example.   Chris provided an academic framework with profound knowledge, a command of literature, credibility and outstanding communication skills. 

I believe Dr. Jaggers has influenced, mentored, and served as a role model to many pharmacists as well.  I am proud and honored to highlight her story as we celebrate the important impact women have made on our profession.  Please check out #womenpharmacistday on your social media platforms to learn more and celebrate the progress made by women in pharmacy.

Susan Jackson

GSHP President 2020-2021