Variety is the spice of life. For Beth Keeney, BS, PharmD that variety comes from precepting Pacific doctor of pharmacy (PharmD) students. She earned her doctor of pharmacy from University of Michigan, Ann Arbor in 1983. Dr. Keeney is an inpatient surgery clinical pharmacist for the Veterans Affairs San Francisco Health Care System.
“Being a preceptor keeps my job interesting,” said Dr. Keeney. “Introducing students to the world of caring for surgery patients freshens my perspective. I feel pride in mentoring them to confidently interact with their patients and the surgery team.”
She was recognized as the 2019 Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience (APPE) Preceptor of the Year for the San Francisco region. Her students said, “Dr. Keeney is approachable, clear when providing instructions and open to answering questions. She is always happy with sharing her knowledge and clinical expertise. I felt very comfortable asking her any questions I had, from my daily tasks to clinical-knowledge based questions. Dr. Keeney created a safe environment for learning.”
“She willingly goes the extra mile to provide unyielding support for our students, as well as practical surgical and nutritional advice.”
Audrey J. Lee, PharmD, BCPS, FCSHP, professor of pharmacy practice and regional coordinator for San Francisco, said, “Dr. Keeney has been amazingly dedicated to providing quality precepting and support to Pacific’s experiential program for over 20 years. She reliably shows up to student conferences to provide her valuable input. Our students have described her as an outstanding surgical pharmacist and role model who is compassionate and patient. She willingly goes the extra mile to provide unyielding support for our students, as well as practical surgical and nutritional advice.”
Dr. Keeney advises PharmD students to explore as many different areas of pharmacy as possible. “You never know what will become your inspiration or passion in life,” she said. Speaking to her colleagues, she encourages them to “pay it forward” by mentoring and guiding students.
By Kate M. O’Dell, PharmD, BCPS
