8-Feb-10 4:00 PM CST

Member of the Month: Catherine Tom-Revzon, BS, PharmD

Catherine Tom-Revzon, BS, PharmD

Catherine Tom-Revzon, BS, PharmD is a former associate professor of pharmacy practice at the Arnold & Marie Schwartz College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences at Long Island University. Her practice site was at the Children's Hospital at Montefiore as a clinical pharmacy manager in pediatrics. She was also adjunct assistant clinical instructor at the Columbia School of Nursing.

Catherine has published manuscripts in such journals as Pediatrics, the Journal of Perinatal and Neonatal Nursing, Clinical Therapeutics, and US Pharmacist.

She advocates for awareness of pediatric pharmacy through interviews with the mass media, such as The New York Times, Parents magazine, NPR, The Today Show, and Reader's Digest.

Catherine is coordinating PPAG's KidsMeds website (www.kidsmeds.info). Catherine and other members of PPAG's Advocacy Committee publish useful medication and health information and tips for parents. Catherine has served PPAG is various capacities throughout the years. She has most recently served as VP of Advocacy.

Catherine also blogs about children's health issues and parenting at http://www.babiesrx.blogspot.com/.

Because of her dedication to PPAG and parent education, we decided to "sit down" with Catherine and ask a few questions.

PPAG: Tell us about your blog, BabiesRx.

CT-R: As a clinical pharmacist, I offered medication education to families. It was such a well-received service that requests were later incorporated into the hospital's CPOE system as a "pharmacy consult." In addition to requests for discharge counseling, there were also times when we would be asked to dispel myths about using opioids, vaccines, stimulants, inhaled steroids, etc. I became a patient advocate and I enjoyed that part of my job tremendously. So when I decided to take time off from working, I needed a medium that would allow me to continue educating the public about the role of pharmacists and keeping parents abreast of current issues related to pediatric medication. The answer was starting a blog. BabiesRx, www.babiesrx.blogspot.com, serves to blend my knowledge and experiences as a pediatric pharmacist, an educator, and a parent. I post my views about relevant topics that pertain to the care of not only babies but older children and adolescents, too. Interesting discoveries are shared with fellow health care practitioners. And I alert caregivers about recalls of medications or side effects to be aware about. I subscribe to multiple listservs generated by the CDC, NIH, FDA, AAP, and other reputable sites, including online newspapers, so I get my topics from them. I also read blogs by fellow pharmacists and other health care professionals to get information. Believe it or not, Twitter is another great source. Personal accounts are also included in my blog as they occur in my life as a mom. It is also a fun blog where I find videos to educate children about topics like the flu.

PPAG: As a mom, do you practice what you preach as a "pharmacist blogger?"
CT-R: I do 99.9% of the time. We’ve occasionally missed doses of medicine.

PPAG: Speaking of social media, what role do you see this playing in the efforts here at PPAG?

CT-R: Social media has an incredible role for PPAG and KidsMeds. Outlets like Twitter, Facebook, and weblogs can help increase our visibility as an organization and enhance our ability to communicate and interact with a broader audience in a more timely manner. With over 700 members of PPAG, many of our members have not yet been able to match faces or voices to other fellow members, let alone share ideas with one another. Establishing groups and fan pages for PPAG and KidsMeds on Facebook has allowed more of our members to interact with PPAG and with colleagues who live in different time zones on a more regular basis. Twitter is not only a great resource for information, it is also a means for PPAG and KidsMeds to build relationships with other organizations who share our passion. While the internet is still how the majority of the PPAG and KidsMeds members access our websites, many of them are using their phones to look up information on the web and disseminate breaking news to their colleagues and friends via email. It's amazing how powerful these gadgets are! In fact, one can access and post Facebook and Twitter entries using these gadgets. Blog posts to raise awareness of pertinent issues can also be made in a matter of minutes. Furthermore, our reputation as the primary source for effective drug therapy in children can be further developed with the use of social media. [Editors Note: Follow PPAG on Twitter at www.twitter.com/theREALppag and KidsMeds at www.twitter.com/KidsMeds.]

PPAG: You are clearly passionate about being a pediatric pharmacist. Why did you choose pediatric pharmacy in the first place?
CT-R: Growing up I found that I connect with children easily. Given that gift and my thirst for challenges, I decided to specialize in pediatric pharmacy. I wanted to help treat children and provide education. I also really like compounding different dosage forms.

PPAG: What do you find most unique about pediatric patients as compared to adult patients?
CT-R: If they are able to express themselves, pediatric patients are more honest about whether something works or not. If the analgesic is not working, you’ll know. Whereas, an adult may want to hide how they really feel because of cultural differences. It’s also more challenging when interacting with children. You really need to get down to their level, engage them with their favorite cartoon characters, and gain their trust before you can start teaching them about their medications.

PPAG: Describe your most significant accomplishment as a pediatric pharmacist.

CT-R: When I first started at the Children's Hospital at Montefiore as a clinical pharmacy manager, I volunteered to help organize the education table for the Pharmacy Department when the Children's Health Fair was reinstated. In addition to educational pamphlets and giveaways, I wanted to leave an impression with the families we were going to encounter. So, I took the medicine vs. Candy poster that the Poison Control Center distributes and brought it to life. I sought colorful pills and matched them to candy look-alikes. Then I glued them on a large poster board and made it into an interactive game. It was such a hit that the CEO of the hospital wanted to see it grow into something bigger. The next few weeks I was meeting with the marketing, Public relations, and health education departments of the hospital to design a more permanent display and a brochure. Although the game board did not become a permanent display in the hospital, it was featured on the John Walsh Show and has been a popular piece for various health fairs, poison prevention events, and departmental functions. It has even traveled to different elementary schools to teach children that medicine is not candy. For this creation and other outreach efforts, I won Pharmacist of the Year and Clinical Practitioner of the Year from local pharmacy organizations and began to get more media requests through the PR department. I was happy to be able to tell the public about pediatric pharmacists and what we’re capable of doing in contributing to their care.

PPAG: Your passion clearly inspired others to take action. What advice would you offer pharmacy students and residents interested in pursuing a career in pediatrics?
CT-R: Let your dream and passion to become a pediatric pharmacist be known to everyone you interview with (advisors, mentors, residency coordinators). Even as a student, your clerkships can be selected to cultivate this interest. When you're looking for a pharmacy practice residency, find out if the program offers pediatric rotations/electives and flexibility; the residency can sometimes be tailored to suit your needs. Finally, don't give up. If you don't match with your dream residency or job the first time, find out what you can do to increase your chances next time and try again. [Editors note: Check out PPAG's Residency Directory: click here.]

PPAG: Why did you join PPAG?
CT-R: I joined PPAG as a resident, though my first interaction with PPAG was as a student at the ASHP Midyear meeting. I remember sitting at the CE program that PPAG was presenting and thinking, “Wow! I want to be a part of this group! I want to make a difference with others who also like pediatric pharmacy.” As a member, I wanted to learn everything I could about pediatric pharmacy and then contribute back to the organization.

PPAG: Now, for some fun questions. If you were a drug, which one would you be and why?
CT-R: I would be a vaccine, because the pieces of knowledge that I share with colleagues, caregivers, and patients provoke a reaction and a memory so that the next time a similar situation is encountered, they will know how to deal with it. There’s sometimes a shortage of me, too.

PPAG: Name one thing your colleagues might not know about you.
CT-R: I own over 500 books (mostly novels) that I haven't read, yet.

PPAG: Thanks, Catherine, for your time. It's been an enjoyable conversation.

CT-R: Thank you. It's been a pleasure.

Editors Note: Each month, PPAG will feature a member doing outstanding things in pediatric pharmacy practice and/or in the community. To nominate someone to be featured, please contact the PPAG office.