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UT Tyler Grad Examines How Pharmacists Can Enhance Family Practice Settings

May 19, 2020

Media Contact: Beverley Golden
Senior Director of Media Relations
Marketing and Communications
The University of Texas at Tyler
903.566.7303

With a passion to help people, Monica Lewis of Whitehouse conducted foundational research that examines how essential pharmacist intervention can be in helping patients reach their desired therapeutic goals.

A May 2020 Fisch College of Pharmacy graduate, Lewis performed a Medication Use Evaluation to determine how appropriately and effectively the blood thinner warfarin was being managed before pharmacist services were implemented at a family practice clinic in Tyler.

Lewis’ personal interest in warfarin management and her passion to help patients attracted her to the project. Her grandfather, who was on warfarin therapy for a heart valve replacement, died from a pulmonary embolism when she was only three years old. A pulmonary embolism is a common complication when warfarin therapy falls outside of the desired therapeutic range and the blood becomes too thick, causing a fatal blood clot in the lungs.

“I think pharmacists have an innate desire to help people, and I think it's a part of what drives us, but I also think we have a duty to enhance the profession,” Lewis said.

An active member of the University’s Student National Pharmaceutical Association, Lewis collaborated with lead researcher Dr. Takova Wallace-Gay, clinical assistant professor.

“We are looking for areas to add value to our clinic settings, and exploring the need for better anticoagulation control is an initial step in that process,” Wallace-Gay said. “The next steps will be to expand the study and review patients on all anticoagulants, not just warfarin.”

The professor said she is proud of Lewis and enjoyed working alongside her.

“The work Monica started is an integral part of our research within the college,” Wallace-Gay said. “She has the strong interpersonal, communication and management skills needed to become a successful pharmacist, and I know she will go far.”

Lewis plans to pursue a pharmacy residency and become a clinical pharmacist.

“I like the idea of bringing a much-needed healthcare profession to more people in East Texas,” she said. “East Texas has such a need for pharmacists; they’re a great resource that people often forget about.”

Lewis enjoys reading, hiking, baking and spending time with her yorkiepoo, Milo.

A member of the prestigious UT System, The University of Texas at Tyler focuses on student success and innovative research in the more than 80 undergraduate and graduate degree programs offered to nearly 10,000 students. Classified by Carnegie as a doctoral research institution and by U.S. News and World Report as a national university, UT Tyler has campuses in Tyler, Longview, Palestine and Houston.