Consider what students have to say about Dr. Leslie Riddle ‘09, a pharmacist in the emergency department at St. Peter’s Hospital, who serves as a preceptor to ACPHS pharmacists in training:
Dr. Riddle is an amazing preceptor who helped me realize that I wanted a career in emergency medicine.
She made me feel like a colleague and, at the same time, was very understanding of your responsibilities as a student.
We identified my clinical weaknesses early and by the end of the rotation, with Dr. Riddle’s help, they became my strengths.
Is it any wonder that Dr. Riddle was recognized as 2022 Preceptor of the Year?
The honor, bestowed at the hospital pharmacy on Jan. 19, was a surprise to Dr. Riddle, who expressed her gratitude with humility.
“Precepting students – they often teach me more than I teach them,” she said when accepting the award. “They keep me young. It also keeps me motivated, and it gives me hope for our future as pharmacists.”
See more of Dr. Riddle's reaction on video.
Dr. Riddle is among 665 preceptors who guide ACPHS pharmacy students through rotations at 501 sites. Preceptors model professional conduct and decision-making as well as evaluate students in their practice settings.
The Preceptor of the Year not only models that professional role for students, but also shows leadership and service to the profession, unparalleled clinical knowledge and subject matter expertise, dedication to patient care, exemplary dedication to the student learning environment and highly positive comments in student evaluations.
Dr. Riddle clearly had all those. Not to mention that out of seven students in her rotations over the past year, four nominated her for the top honor.
She decided to become a preceptor after moving from another position in the hospital to the emergency department more than five years ago.
“Once I got to the ER, it was just a great opportunity to share such a unique practice experience with the students because they don’t learn about emergency medicine in school,” she said. “I feel like I teach them something new every single day, and you never know what you’re going to see down there.”
Dr. Riddle brings students right to the bedside and engages them in every decision, by both her account and her students’.
Four other preceptors were recognized for their service in 2022.
Faculty Preceptor of the Year: Dr. Yi Zhou – ACPHS/Albany Medical Center Hospital
Distinguished Preceptors:
- Dr. Christopher Manley, Cobleskill Regional Hospital
- Dr. Alexis Carnevale ‘15, Sunnyview Rehabilitation Hospital/St. Peter’s Health Partners
- Dr. Cheryl Tuiqere – Health Direct Institutional Pharmacy, Kinney Drugs