University of Illinois

With a background in pharmacy and specialized pediatric care, she now bridges bioinformatics with practical, user-friendly tools, empowering clinicians to make patient-specific dosing decisions. Her passion lies in improving patient safety by reducing medication-related errors and driving innovations that directly impact healthcare outcomes. Could you give us an overview of your work? ​ At DoseMe, our precision dosing platform brings personalized dosing from bench to bedside, leveraging Bayesian modeling to support clinicians, such as pharmacists, in making real-time, patient-specific decisions. My role is to oversee the company's scientific and strategic direction, ensuring our technology is grounded in rigorous science while aligning with the broader needs of healthcare. I aim to bridge the gap between our bioinformatics team and the pharmacists, translating complex models into practical, user-friendly tools. Our platform addresses diverse therapeutic needs, including challenging cases like pediatric and critical care, where existing dosing data can be limited. Additionally, I focus on easing the adoption of new technology—guiding pharmacists through onboarding and training to ensure seamless integration. Looking ahead, our goal is to be a cornerstone of support for any clinician at the bedside, helping them navigate complex medications and fulfill their expanding roles in patient care. When did you realize you were interested in science - as a young child, teen, or older? ​ I've always loved science and math, and I knew early on that I wanted a healthcare career. My high school chemistry teacher truly inspired me to explore pharmacy. Interestingly, pharmacists and medicine have been in my family for generations, but I only looked to them for guidance. In hindsight, I realize this family legacy was always there, subtly guiding me toward this path. Once I embraced it, I discovered pharmacy was the perfect blend of all my favorite subjects. googletag.cmd.push(function () { googletag.display('text-ad1'); }); Could you describe your personal journey bringing us to where you are now? ​ After college, I pursued pharmacy school at the University of Illinois, Chicago. Realizing there were many possible paths as a pharmacist, I chose to get a broad experience during my fourth-year rotations, which included one in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Pediatrics, especially neonatal care, is a complex and nuanced field where everything must be carefully considered—an actual "gray area." Here, I first applied pharmacokinetic calculations to real-world patients, discovering the challenges and rewards of working with vulnerable populations. Following pharmacy school, I completed a specialty residency in pediatrics, which further solidified my interest in complex pharmacotherapy. During this time, I was also involved in the rollout of a new electronic health record system, my first experience integrating technology into clinical practice. This exposure to both specialty care and emerging health technologies laid the foundation for the work I do today, bridging precision dosing, technology, and patient-centered care. What challenges did you face - as a woman or otherwise - along the way and what is the most valuable lesson you have learned? ​ One of the most significant challenges I faced emerged when I transitioned into a leadership role. As a clinician, particularly as a pharmacist, there’s a tendency to be "put in a box"—to be seen primarily for your technical skills rather than as someone with broader strategic or leadership potential. It mirrors the challenges pharmacists often face in gaining recognition as integral members of multidisciplinary teams. Just as pharmacists work to demonstrate their value beyond dispensing medications, I had to advocate for my capacity to lead, strategize, and contribute at a higher level. The most valuable lesson I've learned is the importance of continually asserting the value of clinical expertise in leadership. Clinicians bring a unique, patient-centered perspective crucial for effective decision-making, and we must not hesitate to push for our seat at the table. Being willing to challenge perceptions and redefine boundaries has been vital for my personal growth and advancing clinical roles in broader healthcare leadership. What ignites your passion in your current role? ​ What fuels my passion every day is knowing that our work directly contributes to improving patient safety by making medication dosing safer and reducing adverse effects. Medication-related adverse events are a significant concern—recent estimates suggest that over 1.3 million preventable medication errors occur annually in the United States, leading to countless hospitalizations and complications. Being part of the effort to minimize these preventable events is what keeps me motivated. Through our precision dosing platform, we are actively helping to reduce risks and improve outcomes for patients. Although I’m no longer providing direct patient care at the bedside, knowing that our technology is making a difference on a larger scale in reducing adverse events and enhancing the safety of medication practices is deeply rewarding. It’s this tangible impact that drives my dedication and inspires me to keep pushing forward. What is your current work ethos/style? ​ My journey has been shaped by mentors who taught me that true success comes from blending talent with strong interpersonal skills. I strive to continue this legacy, helping others grow personally and professionally, while also contributing to the success of their organizations. I encourage individuals to reflect on two core questions: Does your career path bring you genuine fulfillment? And, how does your role contribute to the growth of your company? I believe in bridging education and real-world application, staying closely connected to the end user—whether it's a patient, a clinician, or a customer. This connection ensures that we are continuously aligned with the needs of those we serve and that we never lose sight of the bigger picture. Helping my team understand the importance of the end-user experience is crucial. When the user succeeds, the whole team wins. This collective focus drives product excellence and fosters a culture of empathy and impact. Could you share some advice for young women who are starting to develop an interest in science or want to pursue a career like yours? ​ My best advice is to connect with other women in science—reach out, ask questions, and build relationships. You'll find that many women, even in senior roles, are eager to support and uplift others. The path to success in science or tech is dynamic, and that's okay. Don't be afraid to change directions if the right opportunity arises. Never let rigid plans hold you back from unexpected growth. Trust your instincts—women are incredibly capable of adapting and thriving. Embrace that strength. You belong here, and your journey is uniquely yours.

THURSDAY, Sept. 26, 2024 -- U.S. birthing hospitals staffed exclusively by family medicine (FM) physicians are more likely to have lower cesarean section rates, according to a study published online in the September/October issue of the Annals of Family Medicine . Emily White VanGompel, M.D., from the University of Illinois at Chicago, and colleagues characterized the effect of the FM presence on unit culture and a key perinatal quality metric in Iowa hospital intrapartum units. The analysis included survey results from 849 Iowa clinicians (physicians, nurses, and midwives) delivering intrapartum care at 39 hospitals participating in a quality improvement initiative to decrease the incidence of cesarean delivery. The researchers reported that 13 hospitals were FM-only (all rural), 11 OB-only, and 15 hospitals were both. They found that among hospitals with <1,000 annual births, births at FM-only hospitals had an adjusted lower risk for cesarean delivery (adjusted incident rate ratio, 0.66) versus hospitals with both. Nurses reported that at FM-only hospitals, unit norms were significantly more supportive of vaginal birth and had a stronger safety culture. "Birthing hospitals staffed exclusively by FM physicians were more likely to have lower cesarean rates and stronger nursing-rated safety culture," the authors write. "Both access and quality of care provide strong arguments for reinforcing the pipeline of FM physicians training in intrapartum care." Abstract/Full Text Editorial Whatever your topic of interest, subscribe to our newsletters to get the best of Drugs.com in your inbox.

MONDAY, Sept. 23, 2024 -- Exposure to toxic metals and alterations in essential metal homeostasis are associated with faster increases in glycemia over time in a high-risk Mexican American population, according to a study published online Sept. 15 in Diabetes Care . Margaret C. Weiss, from the University of Illinois at Chicago, and colleagues examined continuous glycemic traits in relation to baseline urinary toxic metal, essential metal, and metal mixtures in a cohort of Mexican American adults. Five hundred ten participants were selected and followed over three years. The researchers found that faster increases in measures of glycemia were seen in association with higher urinary levels of arsenic, selenium, copper, molybdenum, nickel, and tin after adjustment. Faster increases in postload glucose were seen in association with the toxic metal mixture composed of arsenic, lead, cadmium, nickel, and tin. Highest versus lowest arsenic was predicted to accelerate conversion of normoglycemia to prediabetes by 23 months and to diabetes by 65 months using postload glucose criteria. "This study further illuminates the deleterious impact of metals on metabolic health and reinforces the need to prioritize the environmental drivers of diabetes that have long been neglected by individual- and policy-level interventions," the authors write. One author disclosed ties to CVS/Health.