Intern Perspectives: Abigail Aguilera, AMCP Foundation/Pfizer, Inc. Oncology Internship

This summer, I had the opportunity to step outside of my comfort zone as an AMCP Foundation/Pfizer Oncology Intern in collaboration with Navitus Health Solutions. Going into the internship, I was most excited to learn more about managed care and challenge myself to think about pharmacy in a different way. In school, we spend so much time developing our clinical knowledge, but I wanted to understand how pharmacists can also think strategically and make an impact beyond the settings we are most familiar with. 

One of the things that surprised me most was just how many opportunities exist within managed care. Through meet-and-greets, I spoke with pharmacists, residents, and other professionals across different departments and learned about career paths I did not even know existed. No two days looked exactly the same. I was also able to gain exposure to Drug Information, specialty pharmacy through Lumicera Health Services, journal club and different areas within Navitus and Pfizer. 

My primary research project focused on real-world treatment patterns among patients with breast cancer initiating CDK4/6 inhibitor therapy. Before this internship, I had some exposure to data analytics through the SPARX Analytics competition, but this experience took that knowledge to another level. I began to understand not only how to analyze and interpret data, but why that information matters and how it can be used to identify potential gaps in therapy. This experience sparked an even greater interest in HEOR and the role real-world evidence can play in healthcare decision-making. 

My time with Pfizer also allowed me to meet oncology pharmacists and other team members, attend presentations and meetings and see how they strategically approached different scenarios. What stuck with me most throughout the summer was the passion of the pharmacists I met. 

Hearing them talk about their careers, the work they do, and how they would choose their paths all over again was inspiring. 

Moving to another state for six weeks was probably the biggest step outside of my comfort zone, but it also made the experience that much more meaningful. Being on-site allowed me to make connections that I know will stay with me beyond this internship. I learned to put myself out there, ask questions and always be willing to learn because everyone's journey in pharmacy looks different. 

This experience confirmed that I want to pursue a career in managed care, with growing interests in HEOR and oncology. I am incredibly grateful to Agata Siwak, Sarah Francis, Marnie Wickizer, Alex Peaslee, Josephine Bawab, Anne Fentress, and Ebony Clay for their mentorship and support throughout this experience. Most importantly, I hope other students feel encouraged to step outside of their comfort zones. There is so much more to pharmacy than what we may initially see and sometimes you just have to be willing to explore it. 

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