Chia L. (Lily) Chang, Pharm.D., has been selected as the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy 2003 Preceptor of the Year.
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Lily Chang, Pharm.D., right, poses at the College of Pharmacy hooding ceremony with Beata Ineck, Pharm.D., an assistant professor in the department of pharmacy practice. |
Dr. Chang, a clinical pharmacist in the Nebraska Health System Family Medicine Clinic, was selected for the award by a vote of the graduating senior class. The award recognizes the commitment, dedication and teaching excellence demonstrated by a volunteer faculty member in an experiential clerkship.
“I must say I was very surprised, but very honored, to have been selected for the award,” Dr. Chang said. “It was not something that I expected, but it’s a great honor and I appreciate the fact that the students thought to recognize me.”
Clarence Ueda, Pharm.D., Ph.D., dean of the College of Pharmacy, said Dr. Chang “is good at what she does because she’s been on both sides of the education equation,” as a student and faculty member.
“As a volunteer faculty preceptor, now she’s in between, so to speak,” Dr. Ueda said.
He said that the college is very fortunate to have a cadre of volunteer faculty, such as Dr. Chang, who are committed to advancing the profession of pharmacy by involving themselves in the college’s teaching program.
“Volunteer faculty preceptors are essential elements of the college’s instructional staff,” Dr. Ueda said. “We wouldn’t have the outstanding program that we do without them. They provide real-life learning opportunities and experiences in structured, supervised settings. They are the final checkpoints.”
Dr. Chang received her bachelor of science (1991) and doctor of pharmacy (1993) degrees from the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Pharmacy. After receiving her Pharm.D., Dr. Chang completed a pharmacy practice residency program at the Moses H. Cone Memorial Hospital in Greensboro, N.C., followed by a special residency in family medicine at Saint John’s Mercy Medical Center in St. Louis, Mo.
Dr. Chang is a board certified pharmacotherapy specialist and a certified diabetes educator. She previously served on the pharmacy practice faculty at the St. Louis (Mo.) College of Pharmacy and also worked in the internal medicine clinic at Barnes Jewish Christian Health Center in Fairview Heights, Ill.
A preceptor for the College of Pharmacy since coming to UNMC in 1998, Dr. Chang is appreciative of the type of teaching she received from her preceptors. In particular, Dr. Chang said she has tried to emulate the example set by Terry L. Seaton, Pharm.D., at the St. Louis College of Pharmacy.
“I just thought that he (Dr. Seaton) was very knowledgeable and also very good at passing information along to us and then helping us apply it,” Dr. Chang said. “He was very respected, both by students and colleagues, so I guess I’ve tried to live up to his example.
“One thing that I do want is for my students to gain something out of my rotations. I want them to learn and to have a good experience in doing so. Hopefully, I teach them things, but that they also learn by doing things. I try to be there for them to answer any of their questions and to give them guidance if they need it.”
Student comments indicated that Dr. Chang was indeed achieving what she has set out to accomplish as a preceptor.
Said one nominator: “Dr. Chang actively sought and responded to student questions and concerns, and provided regular feedback, encouragement and support.” Another nominator said: “Dr. Chang dedicated time and needed resources, and developed valuable learning activities for students on her clerkship. She makes special efforts to involve students in pharmacist-specific clinical experiences.”
“I do enjoy teaching,” Dr. Chang said. “One of the reasons I still work with students is that I find it very rewarding. I want to make sure that the students feel comfortable on their rotations. I want them to be at ease and to know that they can ask me questions.”