An Interview with Denise Rosembert

1. Please could you start by telling us a bit about your career and journey so far?

As a keen junior pharmacist, I used to locum in community pharmacies most weekends, and worked as a clinical rotational pharmacist on the Structured Training and Experience for Pharmacists (STEP) programme at London teaching hospitals.  I went onto work at Cambridge University Hospitals as senior clinical rotational pharmacist.  These roles offered understanding of various specialities, completing my clinical diploma alongside this experience helped underpin theory and clinical trials with practice.  This exposure afforded me a foundation and shaped me into the pharmacist I am today.  I completed my certification in the electronic prescribing system, Epic® and was a key member of the build and implementation team, with this expertise continued to lead on the optimisation of day unit prescribing, administration and supply workflows in Epic®. I combined this with my clinical role as antimicrobial and infectious diseases pharmacist.

New innovative opportunities excite me, so in 2015, I took on a brand new role of lead pharmacist for biologics and homecare at Cambridge University Hospitals.  I was responsible for leading on the collaborative working of the clinical and operational aspects of biosimilar switch projects, best value medicines use, prescribing, commissioning, leadership and management of the teams, where I undertook research in biologics as part of my masters.  I put my independent prescribing qualification into practice by running a pharmacist led inflammatory bowel diseases clinic, and I managed my own caseload of patients involved in initiating and reviewing patients prescribed biologics/biosimilars.  My role involved working across specialist areas (gastroenterology, rheumatology, dermatology, vasculitis, and ophthalmology) and contributing to various multi- disciplinary teams. 

I commenced my new role as a Chief Pharmaceutical Officer’s Clinical Fellow with NHS Specialist Pharmacy Service in September last year.

 

2. What are you most proud of?

Delighted with my appointment as a Chief Pharmaceutical Officer’s Clinical Fellow, and for the recognition beyond my organisation of my potential to be a future senior leader.  Personally, I am incredibly proud of my three nieces, they amaze me each day and I strive to be one of their role models.

 

3. What has been one of your biggest professional challenges and how did you overcome it?

Navigating uncertain times during the COVID-19 pandemic as a manager was a professional challenge, specifically around creating a safe environment for the team who were integral to ensuring patients continued to receive their treatment for their chronic conditions.  I was able to achieve this by taking the lead, being present and available to the team as well as providing reassurance to colleagues, with a focus on group support, which strengthened the team.

 

4. What piece of advice would you give your younger self?

Keep a journal, actively consider and reflect on your personal and professional goals, it is important to focus on and review both. Each might take priority at various stages of life and that is okay, everyone is on their own journey.

 

5. What is something you would like others to know? For example, a piece of advice you would like to give women that are at the start of their pharmacy career

Believe in yourself.  Seek out and create opportunities for yourself, you do not have to wait to be approached.