I didn’t set out to be a pharmacist who compounds. In fact, my journey into compounding began in the most unexpected way — at my hometown pharmacy in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, when I was a teenager. The owner, Jerry, did a little bit of compounding, and I started helping out after school — pouring suppositories, labeling, cleaning up. It wasn’t glamorous, but it was fascinating. I loved the hands-on aspect, the idea that we could make medicine specifically for someone who needed something different.

That experience set the course for my entire career. When I went to pharmacy school at the University of Pittsburgh, I was fortunate to receive a scholarship from that same hometown pharmacy — a full circle moment that shaped my path. Years later, I ended up working for Jerry again, and now, in an incredible twist of fate, our pharmacies have come back together to create ColtRx Pharmacy. It feels like my career has come home.

Compounding quickly became more than just part of my job — it became the reason I love pharmacy. In a world where most medications are mass-produced, compounding allows me to think creatively, to solve problems for real people. If it weren’t for compounding, I honestly don’t think I’d still be in pharmacy. It’s what keeps me inspired, challenged and deeply connected to my patients.

Over the years, I’ve learned that compounding can completely change a person’s quality of life. One of my most memorable patients has a rare mast cell disease that caused her to have severe allergic reactions multiple times a week. After hearing about new research at PCCA’s ThinkNext International Seminar, I had an idea — what if we tried low-dose naltrexone for her condition? It wasn’t something we’d used for mast cells before, but I reached out to her doctor and found one willing to give it a try. Months later, she went 75 days without a single episode of anaphylaxis. She even sent me a photo of herself driving a car again after years of being unable to. That one message — just a picture of freedom — reminded me exactly why I do what I do.

And that’s where PCCA comes in. I’ve been connected to PCCA since I was 18. They were my first call when I needed help troubleshooting a formula or validating a chemical. Compounding can be isolating — you’re solving unique problems that don’t have easy answers — but PCCA gives you an entire network of people who understand exactly what you’re doing and why it matters. Their quality standards allow me to sleep at night, knowing every ingredient is tested, verified and supported by data. Their innovation lets me focus on my patients, not on making bases from scratch. And their training programs — whether online webinars or in-person seminars — keep my team educated and confident. My technicians love those sessions; they make them feel like experts in their craft.

The truth is, compounding is both art and science. It takes creativity, precision and passion. But with PCCA behind us, it also comes with reassurance — the kind that enables me to stand behind what we do with qualification. Compounding isn’t just personal; it’s my purpose. And PCCA has been there every step of the way, helping me turn that purpose into something powerful for every patient we serve.