While studying in the Faculty of Pharmacy at U of T, I studied pre-determined patient cases and acquired therapeutic knowledge through didactic lectures. Now, in my two-month SPEP rotation at Mount Sinai Hospital, I am caring for patients that are far more complex.

Here, a patient will not only suffer from hypertension, which I learned about in school, they could also be pregnant, have diabetes and other kidney problems.

I am now completing my clinical rotation requirement in the Obstetrics Department and the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Mount Sinai, and have learned to treat unique cases while interacting with patients and other health-care professionals.

Field placements are so important because they allow students to apply the knowledge they have gained in school. I meet with my preceptor every day, and attend high-risk obstetric rounds which allow me to determine any drug-related problems or address any drug-information questions pertaining to the patients.

Together, my preceptor and I also decide on a therapeutic topic that I will research each day. So far, I have explored unique pregnancy-related topics such as cholestasis, sickle cell disease, urinary tract infection and pyelonephritis, preterm premature rupture of membranes, gestational diabetes mellitus, hyperemesis, and epilepsy.

I feel comfortable approaching my preceptor with questions about patients, my placement or even my career choices. She involves me in all aspects of the perinatal pharmacy at Mount Sinai, and has played a key role in reaffirming my interest in Hospital pharmacy.

Every health care professional that I have worked with has been eager to educate me, guide my learning and listen to my recommendations. Their leadership has allowed me to grow intellectually and professionally, and has given me an understanding of what to expect when I become a licensed pharmacist.

Mount Sinai Hospital
Joseph and Wolf Lebovic Health Complex
600 University Avenue
Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5G 1X5