Each shift practicing pharmacy in an emergency room is unique and can change minute to minute, said Brett Faine, '07 PharmD, a clinical assistant professor and emergency medicine clinical pharmacy specialist at UIHC.

"The job [is] challenging and exciting at the same time," Faine added. "I never have a dull day."

Faine said he enjoys the balance of working with two types of patients: those who need care urgently in response to an unexpected event, as well as those who need continuing treatment or are seriously ill. "Emergency room pharmacy allows for a perfect balance of both of these patient populations," he said. "I really enjoy working at the bedside with the emergency medicine providers and nurses to care for patients in their greatest hour of need."

Faine continuously learns on the job through research and teaching. He was part of a group that expanded pharmacy coverage and pharmacist residencies to the emergency room, in order to improve the quality of care for patients.