Pharmacy Professor Lends Expertise to Local Cancer Clinic

Earl is currently a clinical associate professor in the Department of Pharmacy Practice. Her practice site is the Baptist Cancer Center in Oxford, where she provides patient care and teaches student pharmacists rotating through the clinic.

“Earl is an outstanding pharmacist, blending expertise with empathy and care for patients in the cancer clinic,” said Donna Strum, dean of the UM School of Pharmacy. “Her dedication to patient-centric care sets a standard of excellence, inspiring our students to emulate her commitment to patient care.”

At the cancer center, Earl is part of a dedicated team of health care professionals, including physicians, nurses, dieticians and social workers, caring for patients. The team works together to create comprehensive treatment plans, with Earl focusing on the complex medication regimens.

“I manage the entire process from ordering medication, getting approval from the insurance company, helping with financial assistance and ensuring the patient is taking the medication appropriately,” Earl said.

Earl not only works to ensure patients have effective treatments, but she also educates patients and families about their medications. Patients like Elizabeth Dabney value her compassion and willingness to help.

“She took personal time to listen and explain how I could have an increased quality of life despite my illness,” Dabney said.

When deciding on a career, Earl said she had no interest in medical school because of an aversion to needles and blood. However, she decided to give pharmacy school a try after discovering the Early Entry program.

 “I had never considered pharmacy before this, so I set up an opportunity to shadow a local pharmacist to learn more,” she said. “I loved how this career allowed me to lean into my love of science and the human body while also creating relationships and serving other people.”

Earl has some words of wisdom about her experience in healthcare after working in a hospital setting, outpatient cardiology office and a cancer clinic.

“Pharmacy is a very versatile career within healthcare,” she said. “The options are almost limitless and there is something that fits everyone’s personality and skill set.”

Earl shares her knowledge and experience with student pharmacists. She is specifically passionate about interprofessional education, as she sees the value of an interprofessional health care team at the cancer clinic. She coordinates interprofessional education for the first two years of pharmacy school in addition to teaching pharmacotherapy in the hematology and cardiovascular courses.

Earl draws on her rich experiences in clinic to inspire and educate her students, and she makes sure to impress upon them the vital role of the pharmacist in the healthcare system.