Dr. David Gurule, PharmD, '16, joined us for 5 Minutes with a Pharmacist, a new series on why our alums live and work in Colorado. "I was born and raised in rural Colorado so to me it has always been what I have known," he says. "I really enjoy the people. I get to see most on a regular basis and have formed relationships with them and their families."
Tell us about your job.
I am currently a clinical pharmacist for Valley-Wide Health Systems. I work in 5 different outpatient clinics providing ambulatory care services including anticoagulation, diabetes management/education, and comprehensive medication reviews (list is much longer but those are the highlights). I also support our primary care providers with medication recommendations, consults, and a myriad of other day to day operations both administrative and clinical.
Why do you live and work in rural Colorado?
I was born and raised in rural Colorado so to me it has always been what I have known. I really enjoy the people. I get to see most on a regular basis and have formed relationships with them and their families. You really get to understand and know how to best help your patients and become part of their de facto extended family being in a smaller rural community. I just wanted to be able to provide high quality care and offer a unique service that most don't get access to being in a smaller community and I feel I have been able to do that.
How did CU Pharmacy prepare you for your role?
CU prepared me for my current role in a lot of different ways. First off the school was able to present me with a very diverse educational experience and allowed exposure to a vast array of potential jobs for pharmacists. This helped guide me and find my calling in ambulatory care. Once there the school provided me with a solid clinical knowledge to flourish in the clinical setting. CU also helped prepare me and gave me the tools to obtain and complete a successful residency which further allowed me to develop the skills necessary for my job. The faculty were also amazing and were great mentors which have helped me along the way.
What advice can you share with future students?
Take advantage of all the opportunities the school gives you. As students you have the ability to learn from some of the best faculty in the country and have access to unique electives to broaden your exposure to pharmacy. Even if it's something you don't think you are interested in when are you going to get another chance to do it? Sign up for that elective or APPE [Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience] or whatever it is but get out of your comfort zone and try it. Who knows you may find something you are passionate about and didn't even know it!
