Off the Beaten Path

Gary C. Yee, PharmD FCCP
Associate Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs
Professor of Pharmacy Practice and Science
University of Nebraska Medical Center
Omaha, NE

Growing up in the Pacific Northwest, I would sometimes hike the many trails in the area. I enjoyed the solitude and the time to reflect. That love for the outdoors continues today, and one of our family’s favorite vacation activities is to go on a hike, particularly one that leads to a beautiful scenic spot. One of the most memorable (and difficult) hikes was Angel’s Landing in Zion National Park in Utah. I didn’t fully appreciate the beauty of the mountains and water until I moved away.

A long career is like a long hike. You never know exactly where the trail is going to take you. I enjoy reading the reflections of “young” practitioners in the Hematology/Oncology Pharmacy Association (HOPA) newsletter, and Susie Liewer, a former student who works at my institution, encouraged me to write one from the perspective of a “mature” practitioner. Next year, I will celebrate 40 years since the completion of my training. In this column I share a few of the lessons learned from my career. I won’t repeat many of the usual lessons shared in these columns—work hard, have a plan, never stop learning, learn from your failures, etc. They are timeless, and I agree with them.

Know Yourself

I know you hear this repeatedly, but it is not emphasized enough. We are often told to never stop learning, but we sometimes forget to learn about ourselves. Why is this so important? In the book On Becoming a Leader, Warren Bennis tells us that our assumptions (values) cause us to select certain behaviors, and those behaviors have consequences.¹ Our values are determined in part by our childhood and culture. As a proud Asian American, I have grown to accept and embrace the values of my culture. That wasn’t always the case. When I was growing up, I was embarrassed by my Chinese middle name, which according to tradition was given to me by my paternal grandfather. Then my parents told me that my name literally meant “above the crowd,” that I would be outstanding among my peers. I didn’t think too much about it at the time, but it now inspires me to strive for excellence in everything that I do. What do you care about? Take time to reflect, not just when you fail or face adversity. As a Christian, I developed a habit of regular reflection, usually during Bible study or prayer. That habit of regular reflection has helped me with every major decision.

What are your strengths? Take advantage of one of the many available tools to learn about your strengths. When I took StrengthsFinder (now called CliftonStrengths)² several years ago as part of a leadership development program at the university, I was surprised at how accurately it explained my strengths.

Expect the Unexpected

Trails can take unexpected turns. It’s great to have a plan and goals. When I was an undergraduate pharmacy student, I worked in a cancer research laboratory and liked it. I later realized that I liked research because I was analytical and enjoyed solving problems (I played chess in high school and competed in state and national tournaments). When I completed my Doctor of Pharmacy degree, oncology pharmacy was an emerging specialty, and few role models existed. Even fewer specialty residencies (most were referred to as fellowships) were available. I was fortunate to have great mentors such as Bill Evans who inspired me to dream big. I wanted to have my own laboratory supported by research grants. I wanted to publish in the very best medical journals. Things started well, and I was on track to meet my goals. Then the unexpected happened—twice. In each case, key physician collaborators and mentors moved, and my research program was adversely affected. My plan and goals were shattered. Reflection is important during times of disappointment. I remember feeling like a failure and wondering what I was going to do. One of the important lessons learned during those times was that what I did (as an oncology pharmacist, a professor, a researcher)—my professional identity—did not define who I was (a person, a husband, a father, and now a grandfather).

During a long career, unexpected events will occur, and some will have a personal impact. It could be a change in leadership or your responsibilities. It could be a larger global event such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Many will be outside of your control, but some could also be the direct result of something you said or did. You will be disappointed and may feel like a failure. Adopt a growth mindset. Be thankful for those difficult times; learn from them, and don’t let them define who you are.

Explore New Paths

Don’t be afraid to explore a new path. Shortly after returning from a 1-year sabbatical, I decided to pursue a department chair position in a college of pharmacy. My decision surprised others because I had stated earlier that I had no desire to be an administrator. I wanted to make a difference by helping and mentoring others. After serving in that position for about 7 years, I decided to step down and return to the faculty. About 2 years later, I was asked by our new dean to become an associate dean. Between my time as department chair and associate dean, I reflected on what I wanted to do in the last chapter of my career. I decided to improve the profession through service in professional organizations. Service has always been part of my DNA, but I was so focused early in my career that I didn’t actively pursue service opportunities. Since that time, I have served on the HOPA Board of Directors, the American College of Clinical Pharmacy (ACCP) Board of Regents (as president), and the ACCP Research Institute Board of Trustees. I currently serve on the Board of Pharmacy Specialties Board of Directors.

After serving as associate dean for about 10 years, I decided to step down because I wanted to do something different. While the college recruited for my replacement, the position of associate vice chancellor for academic affairs became available at my institution. I wasn’t ready to retire, so I reflected on whether to pursue this new opportunity. I enjoyed academic administration and saw this as an opportunity to get out of my comfort zone and learn new skills. I decided to apply and accepted the position in July 2019. After nearly 1 year into my new position, I can say that the change has been positive. It is always uncomfortable doing things for the first time, but I have learned so much from that experience. And I am able to continue to teach and interact with pharmacy students, residents, and faculty.

In contrast to our parents or grandparents, few of us will do the same thing in the same institution for several decades. I could have remained in my associate dean position until retirement. During your career, you will know when it is time for a change. It is different for every person, but for me, it was persistent feelings of restlessness and lack of peace. It usually occurred after about 7–10 years in my position. The timing reminds me of Simone’s Maxims, based on a Grand Rounds presentation at MD Anderson Cancer Center.3 Dr. Joe Simone was a pediatric oncologist and senior administrator at several major academic medical centers, including St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Stanford University Medical Center, and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, and most recently at Huntsman Cancer Center. Although he gave his presentation more than 20 years ago, his comments are just as relevant today. In his article, Dr. Simone states that “with rare exceptions, the appropriate maximum term for an academic leader/administrator is 10 years, plus or minus 3 years.”³

Exploring new paths can be scary. When I decided to step down, I didn’t have a backup plan, although I knew I still had a satisfying job (one of the advantages of being a tenured professor). Leslie Hendeles, a former colleague at the University of Florida, used to say that being a professor was the best job in the world. And I knew that I was the same person regardless of my position title.

Enjoy the journey. And don’t forget to stop and smell the roses. 

References

1. Bennis W. On Becoming a Leader. 4th ed. New York, NY: Basic  Books; 2009.
2. CliftonStrengths, Gallup website. https://www.gallup.com/cliftonstrengths/en/home.aspx. Accessed June 2, 2020.
3. Simone JV. Understanding academic medical centers: Simone’s Maxims. Clin Cancer Res. 1999;5:2281-2285.