Anthony DiSpirito, Jr. '10
Director of Pharmacy and Patient Care Services
Albany Medical Center
Did you have a ‘lightbulb moment’ when you found ACPHS or your course of study? When did you know that this was the right fit for you?
Interestingly, my lightbulb moment was when I had already applied to other schools, but then I received the ACPHS postcard in the mail. It really integrated the things I like. There were aspects of science, medicine, and helping people. So, I decided to look at the school more and take a closer look at pharmacy as a profession. That’s when I decided to go into pharmacy and go to ACP.
What surprised you the most when you got into the field (either as a student or after graduation)?
After graduation, realizing the variety of opportunities that were there. There was some of this during rotations as well. The opportunities that pharmacists have as a career, in insurance, at hospitals, in retail, or the prison system to name a few. I never truly understood all the opportunities that were out there and that you could grow from. It was a welcome surprise.
What advice would you give your younger self?
I’ve been at Albany Med for almost 15 years, but I would tell my younger self to try something different, maybe move around a little bit. When you’re young, there are so many opportunities to meet people and make connections. So, I’d say, take the opportunity when you’re young to move around and use your career as your key to go different places.
What was the best part of your time at ACPHS? Why?
The people. I came from a large high school, then went to college where my class was roughly half the size. I really got to know the people and still talk to many of them today. The people and connections I made 15 years later are still integral parts of my life professionally and personally.
What is it like working with other ACPHS alumni?
It’s rewarding. It’s an understanding, a connection, knowing you learned the same thing, came from the same place, and had similar experiences. It expedites the work relationship when you know where people came from, whether it’s directly or indirectly.
Was there a faculty or staff member who was particularly helpful or supportive when you were at ACPHS? Who was it? What did they do?
The preceptors during my rotations who were also professors, there were a few. Those were the people I learned the most about the career of being a pharmacist from.
What is it like to help current students by serving as a preceptor?
I have precepted a couple of times. I think it’s great. It allows me to take a step back and explain what I do every day, which gives me the chance to also learn about myself. Every year, I do a guest lecture for the Pharmacy Administration course. It helps you realize all the things you do on a day-to-day basis organically but don’t always think about.
What do you tell others about ACPHS?
It’s one of the best places in New York to get a real full-service pharmacy education and become a well-rounded career pharmacist. There are 85 pharmacists on staff at Albany Med and the majority graduated from ACPHS. ACPHS gives a premier level education to their students, and those are the people I want to hire to work in my pharmacy.
Anything else you would like to add?
I’m thankful for the opportunity my current position affords me to engage with students, staff, and faculty and see some of the things I didn’t see when I was student at the college. It’s always amazing to see how students can grow and benefit from their education.