Shelton McBride: I remember on my first day of college, the dean asked me why I wanted to enroll in Pharmacy School. I told him I was very attracted to the fact that people would always need pharmacists. I also saw an opportunity to practice pharmacy with business. Well, the response from the dean was: "Shelton, Pharmacy is not a business." I was wise enough to keep my mouth shut then, but I continue to say that Pharmacy is a profession and a business. As a profession, Pharmacy is helping patients through the use of medications and services related to medications. But if we're not making some money today, we're not going to be in business to help our patients tomorrow.

Everybody knows we have manpower issues in all of healthcare. That's a major driver. Another major driver is the new medications and delivery systems coming into Pharmacy. The aging of the population is also key. The United States is not ready for the baby boomers retiring. Technicians are being certified and we need standardization of education. We need regulatory change for this. We also need to look at the increasing number of women in Pharmacy and smart employers are already making changes to address this. Tom Peters, in his outstanding book "Circle of Innovation" says 10 years from now we won't recognize much of the work we are doing in professions today -- and I think Pharmacy is at the top of that list.

Simplify. Think. Converse -- and take on a mentor. A pharmacist needs a good mentor. In my case, my mentors were frequently CEO's of the hospitals for whom I worked. Find the person who can provide what you need, who attracts your interest and respect, and then use this process of thinking and conversing with them. Have a plan and accept that the plan is going to change. Realize that what you're doing today is not what you'll be doing in 2010.

My father was a career military man with 42 years in the armed services. I picked up that military style. My Dad was also a perfectionist, and I picked that up, too; as pharmacists, we better get it right! Also, I played a lot of baseball when I was a boy. My teammate's father owned a drugstore in my hometown of Alexandria, LA. He asked me what I wanted to do when I grew up, and I told him I thought I'd like to be a pharmacist. He invited me over to his store to look around, and he answered a lot of my questions and offered encouragement. In college, I wrote a paper on his store. He owned it until the day he died.

Knowing that others recognize I am giving my best shot, whatever I do, is important.  I really enjoy healthcare development more than anything else. Also, unlike many, I enjoy change.  I also like building relationships.

You have two daughters. Tell us about them.

When they chose careers, I was initially disappointed that neither of them chose healthcare. Both work with children, and they have this feeling that this is their way of giving back to society. I'm extremely proud of them, and they are two very independent, successful women.

At times I've been described as a road warrior, and my travel schedule has been heavy over the years. But I did not start traveling this way until my children were in college. It's not for everybody, particularly for people with small children. I think a parent’s place is with their children and by that I mean that they are available to them. I think too often pharmacists put themselves in a box. They restrict themselves by geography or workplace setting. There are more opportunities than ever before in Pharmacy -- and the only person setting limits is the pharmacist him or herself. There are even international opportunities for those interested.

Interestingly, I had four sisters with no brothers, and two daughters with no sons. When I was a Pharmacy Director in the early 80's I had an all-female Pharmacy staff. I find women generally are very good at detail work. But whether you’re male or female, we should all stress our strong points. One thing I say to women, and I’ve said this to my daughters, is if you have an opportunity to be a support person or the president, be the president. The president sets the motion of the organization and the support person works just as hard if not harder. The job is just as tough for the support person so go ahead and take the top slot. You can do it!

I remember when a member of the New Hampshire Board of Pharmacy saw my record and said, "What's the matter? Can't you hold a job?" I find that having the active pharmacist licenses lends me credibility in those states. It also has shown me that some of the requirements for practicing in states are unnecessary. It's a cumbersome process. However, working with people in different states has been a great asset to me. Networking and alliance building is key today, and the licenses have helped put me in an excellent position.

As a former member of the Louisiana State Board of Pharmacy, I understand why we have some of our present requirements for reciprocity, but we can do better.  At present, reciprocity takes about 8 weeks.  We should be able to cut that process time in half.  Both NABP and the various state boards must interact to make the process work.  Some states have "umbrella" boards and handle a tremendous volume of correspondence while some smaller states have a very limited staff and the board does not meet frequently.  I also think that some of the variances from state to state are unnecessary.  I understand that every state feels the need to be autonomous, but looking at each other could allow implementation of best practices where possible.  The juris prudence examination, a necessity, should be offered by computer in all states.  However, I do believe we have made a lot of progress in recent years. 

I try to always look at the big picture.  I hope I always keep the needs of people around me foremost in all I do.  Both patients and co-workers inside and outside the pharmacy are depending on me and I want to make every effort not to let them down.  As Norman Schwartzkopf said, "Do the right thing!

I would suggest to the young pharmacist today to work hard, be a good observer and listener, ask questions, and find a good mentor. Learn from other people's mistakes so that the mistakes that you're familiar with are not your own.