Dr. Priscilla How obtained her Bachelor of Pharmacy degree with first class honors from the National University of Singapore (NUS) in 1999, and subsequently a Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm D) from University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) in 2004. Dr How is also a Board Certified Pharmacotherapy Specialist.

Currently, Dr How is an Assistant Professor at NUS Department of Pharmacy where she is a lecturer

and course coordinator for undergraduate Pharmacy and Pharm.D modules. She is also practicing as a Principal Clinical Pharmacist with the Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology at the National University Hospital and provides clinical pharmacy services in the outpatient multidisciplinary low clearance clinic. In addition, Dr How also conducts clinical research with renal physicians.

Dr How has received numerous awards for her excellence in research and pharmacy practice, one of which being the Fellowship Research Award by the University of Illinois at Chicago, College of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacy Practice. Dr How has numerous publications under her name and has received research grants for her research projects in nephrology. She also serves as a journal reviewer for a number of scientific journals, namely the American Journal of Nephrology, Clinical Nephrology and Kidney. Last year, Dr How chaired the Scientific Committee for the 10th Asian Conference on Clinical Pharmacy.

With her passion in teaching and patient care and her numerous accomplishments, Dr How is a role model for many pharmacists. She will be chairman of the organizing committee for the upcoming Singapore Pharmacy Congress 2011. Do give her the support!

What others have said:

She's an excellent role model to aspiring young pharmacists!

Dr. Priscilla is a very good clinical pharmacist as well as a good teacher. She is knowledgeable, humble, willing to teach and guide. She is definitely a good pharmacist role model!

She’s an excellent pharmacy practitioner and definitely a role model for pharmacists.

An Interview with Dr Priscilla How

A.         What would your advice be for the younger pharmacists? Especially when faced with challenges? 

Never say never. Truthfully speaking, I never thought I would get a chance to complete a Pharm.D. considering that was a relatively uncommon postgraduate degree to pursue a decade ago. Next, I never thought I would ever survive overseas by myself, away from home, my comfort zone, my family and closest friends, let alone for eight years straight! And I never thought I would return as a faculty, to NUS Dept of Pharmacy, my alma mater, and be colleagues with my ex-teachers and lecturers who are highly endearing to me. Well, never say never. Once you have set your heart and mind to pursue something, do not let any setbacks, challenges and obstacles hinder your path and goals. However, don’t forget to slow down occasionally and smell the roses. And remember, bloom wherever you are planted!

B.         What helped / motivated you to be where you are today? 

I have always had a penchant for patient care as I love the interaction with patients, doctors, nurses and other members of the healthcare team.  At the same time, I have also always had a passion for teaching. That prompted me to consider academia in pharmacy as my career. I am thankful for the opportunities, support and encouragement given to me by my ex-teachers, mentors, friends and family that helped shape and mould me. By being a clinical faculty in NUS, I am able to satisfy my desire to be an educator, clinician and researcher.

C.         Who would you say is your role model, whom inspired you to excel in the pharmacy field that you chose?

I have two role models. Assoc Prof. Chan Sui Yung, my honors year (final year) project supervisor back in 1999 and now my department head, taught me to believe in myself and strive towards my goal. That encouraged me to pursue my Pharm.D. Subsequently, I was truly blessed to have met Prof. Alan Lau in Chicago. He allowed me to work with him on renal research projects as a Pharm.D. student which gradually cultivated my interest in nephrology. Dr. Lau is both a mentor and friend. I am grateful to him for believing in me and for giving me many opportunities to grow professionally and personally.

D.         What is the most memorable moment in your pharmacy career?

Please allow me to highlight several memorable moments in my career. I am truly honored to have received the Richard A. Hutchinson Award for excellence in pharmacy practice as a resident in 2004 and Fellowship Research Award in 2007 during my postdoctorate training in the University of Illinois at Chicago. Under the guidance and mentorship of Prof. Alan Lau, I had my first publication in Pharmacotherapy and subsequently in Kidney, Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology and Applied Therapeutics. I also obtained research funding for two investigator-initiated studies during my training as a nephrology research fellow. Finally, I am blessed to have the chance to set up a multidisciplinary clinic with the renal physicians in NUH to care for patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). I am confident that pharmacist-involvement in CKD management can and will improve the care and clinical outcomes of these patients. Again, all these would not have been possible if not for the constant support and encouragement from family, friends and colleagues, as well as the opened doors and opportunities provided by my mentor(s), research group the renal physicians. I really thank God for this fruitful and rewarding journey!

E.         Describe your career progression path.

1995-1999:        BSc(Pharm)Hons at NUS Dept of Pharmacy

1999-2001:        Completed pre-registration training and worked as an outpatient (anticoagulation) pharmacist in Tan Tock Seng Hospital

2001-2004:        Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) at University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC)

2004-2005:        Completed Pharmacy Practice Residency in UIC

2006:                Obtained Board Certification in Pharmacotherapy (BCPS)

2005-2007:        Completed Nephrology Research Fellowship in UIC

2007-2009:        Clinical Assistant Professor in UIC College of Pharmacy

                        Clinical Pharmacist (Nephrology) in University of IllinoisMedicalCenter in Chicago

2009-Present:    Assistant Professor in NUS Dept of Pharmacy

                        Principal Clinical Pharmacist with Dept of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, NUH