Preceptor of the Year
The University of Wyoming School of Pharmacy awarded two individuals with Preceptor
of the Year awards for the 2014-15 academic year. Pharmacist, Don Vecchio, who precepts
students at Exempla Lutheran Collier Hospice Center was one of the award recipients.
Don was recently interviewed by two of the School’s Experiential Program faculty regarding
his thoughts on what it takes to be a top notch preceptor.
Don has been a pharmacist for 60 years and enjoys learning from students as much as he enjoys teaching them. Prior to a student starting a rotation, Don reaches out to them to make a connection prior to the rotation starting. On the first day of a student’s rotation, Don brings in a treat and a beverage that the student has indicated they enjoy during the pre-rotation contact. Don and the student then spend about 30 minutes getting to know each other. Don shares with his students his experiences in pharmacy and in turn finds out why students want to be pharmacists and their future career goals.
Don began his storied career owning his own pharmacy. He owned an ostomy and diabetes center, as well as an outpatient pharmacy and a compounding pharmacy where he specialized in hospice medications. He spent the next 29 years caring for a wide variety of patients from those with hernias to those needing breast prostheses after undergoing a mastectomy. He then started consulting and even lectured at Colorado University on ostomy care.
When asked what he liked best about being a preceptor, Don said he thinks of his students as his grandchildren. He likes to learn from them and treats them as equals and not as students. His advice for other preceptors is to give your students a little room and get to know them and let them get to know you. When dealing with difficult students, he again tries to connect with them personally and then lets the student take the lead on a project and participate as a member of the healthcare team.
One student who has worked with Don said "He was so kind and personable. I really enjoyed learning from him, and he was so knowledgeable." Another student commented "There are many strengths to this rotation. One of the strengths of this rotation is the preceptor which provides a comfortable learning environment for the student and all involved. Because the preceptor has a vast amount of experience in the pharmacy field, the student is able to learn and experience aspects of pharmacy that would otherwise be impossible."
Don keeps current on pharmacy topics and this, in turn, develops him as a preceptor. He reads Medscape, Pharmacist Letter and regularly reads internet articles. Learning from his students also keeps him actively engaged which further develops his preceptor skills.
 |
 |
 |