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Q&A: Fisch College Prepared Gill for Realm of Retail Pharmacy

Cody Gill graduated from the Fisch College of Pharmacy in May 2019 and is a pharmacy manager at a Health Hub in Eden Prairie, Minnesota. In the following question and answer segment, learn more about the alumnus and what he enjoyed most about his time at the college and UT Tyler.

Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

I am from South Saint Paul, Minnesota. I currently work as the pharmacy manager at one of the new Health Hub locations in Eden Prairie, Minnesota. My position entails all that of a retail pharmacist, including, but not limited to, verifying medications, counseling customers whenever necessary, understanding new laws that come into play, and keeping up with knowledge of the pharmacy world. 

Describe your educational journey. . .How did you discover UT Tyler?

UT Tyler had a very good marketing scheme that allowed me to find it without even trying. The second I saw a new school open up in a warmer climate other than Minnesota, I knew I had to give it a shot.

Why become a pharmacist? What led you to that career path?

About seven months before graduating from my undergraduate program, one of my professors there prompted, "Why not pharmacy?” So, I jumped at the opportunity, and everything just fell into place from there. I wanted more than ever to be one of the most knowledgeable healthcare professionals along with being the most accessible to give patients the care they deserve without taking a day off work to visit a doctor’s office. 

What did you like best about the Fisch College of Pharmacy?

My favorite part of UT Tyler’s pharmacy school was working in groups as part of team-based learning. Helping each other out and learning from one another, along with the professors, was my biggest reason for doing as well as I did in pharmacy school.

What did you like about UT Tyler in general?

The atmosphere and community behind us were the best part about everything. Having the preceptors, professors and local pharmacies help out as much as they did, was one of my favorite things. They were all so welcoming to this new school coming into Tyler, and it made it all the easier to enjoy being there.

How did UT Tyler prepare you for a career in pharmacy?

As much as I feel like UT Tyler prepared me, I was never prepared enough until I actually got into my practice setting. You never know the community you are going to work with, and you never know if what you learned in school would be enough to get you by. But all in all, the school helped me to be outgoing and very personable with people.

What extracurricular activities were you involved with while at UT Tyler? 

Extracurricular to me was always something to get school off my mind for an hour or two and just have fun with new friends and classmates. That mainly included intramurals like soccer, floor hockey and football. We were even able to take the new Fisch College of Pharmacy a few championships while we were at it!

Who was your favorite professor, and why?

My favorite professor...tough question. I remember my fourth APPE year when I had a rotation with Dr. Newsome. He had me doing and enjoying things I never thought I would see myself doing. I use a lot of that knowledge still today and I will teach my future interns in a way that he taught me.

What are your ultimate career goals?

Right now, my goal is to give the best possible advice and knowledge to those who come through my store. What comes in the next five and 10 years is something I don’t think that I will know until it’s right in front of my face.

What advice would you give to current UT Tyler pharmacy students?

Keep after it. Always do your best, and just when you think you have everything down, still keep going. Pharmacy is a constant learning experience and some things you learned in year one, you still apply to your everyday life in pharmacy, even a year after you graduate. 

What are your interests/hobbies?

I try my best to have an outside life from work and pharmacy. I love hanging out with my fiancé and my dog and anything that has to do with sports. My favorite sport is hockey, and we try to catch a few games every year; and on the nights we can't, we make sure we watch it on TV.

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