Meet Kate Cozart

Kate Cozart never imagined she'd leave her career as a high school chemistry teacher. She loved the spark of understanding in her students' eyes and the satisfaction of nurturing young minds. Yet, life has a way of presenting unexpected opportunities, and for Kate, that opportunity came in the form of a new pharmacy school opening just 30 miles from her home.

Those plans began to unfold when friends and family, recognising Kate's aptitude for math and chemistry, encouraged her to take the Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT).

"I took the test with zero expectation," Kate said with a laugh. "It was more to appease the people who wanted me to. But then I got my scores back, and it was like a lightbulb moment. I realised I was clearly really well suited for this."

How often do we overlook our own potential until someone else points it out to us? It's a humbling reminder of the impact we can have on others by simply recognising and encouraging their talents.

The decision to leave teaching and pursue pharmacy wasn't an easy one for Kate. She had invested years in her education career, earning a master's degree and gaining valuable experience. However, the prospect of exploring a new field that aligned so well with her skills was too enticing to ignore.

"I remember thinking about all the teachers who had asked me if I was sure I didn't want to go to med school or pharmacy school," Kate recalled. "It was like all those little seeds they had planted were finally starting to grow."

From Teacher to Student

As Kate embarked on her pharmacy education, she faced the challenges that come with any major life transition. The financial considerations of returning to school full-time were daunting, and the academic demands were intense. But Kate's background in education didn’t fade easily.

"I was often the one explaining concepts to my classmates," she said. "It was like I couldn't turn off the teacher in me, even though I was now the student."

This ability to break down complex ideas would serve Kate well in her future career, but first, she had to navigate the challenging transition from student to practitioner. Her residency, while invaluable, pushed her to her limits.

Discovering Clinical Pharmacy

It was during her pharmacy rotations that Kate discovered a side of pharmacy she hadn't known existed. The clinical roles, particularly in hospital settings, opened her eyes to the vast possibilities within the field.

"I realised there was this whole clinical side to pharmacy," Kate explained, her excitement palpable. "It wasn't just about dispensing medications. It was about being an integral part of patient care."

The turning point in Kate's journey came during a rotation at a community-based outpatient clinic in Jackson, Tennessee. Under the mentorship of Dr. Jett, Kate discovered an aligned direction.

"That month with Dr. Jett, I realised I wanted to be in this amazing space where you can make relationships with patients that are going to be longitudinal," Kate said. "He clearly loved what he did, especially taking learners under his wing. That's when I knew – I was going to be in a community-based outpatient clinic, seeing patients in primary care and taking students. That's what I'm going to do."

Kate’s experience highlights the power of mentorship. Dr. Jett not only taught Kate about pharmacy practice but also modelled a career path that resonated deeply with her values and aspirations. It's a reminder of the impact we can have as mentors and the importance of paying it forward in our own careers.

With her goal clearly in sight, Kate set out to make it a reality. She pursued residency and multiple board certifications, recognising the need to set herself apart in a competitive field.

"I knew I had to do something to show that I'm qualified," Kate explained. "I basically put my head down and went through all the testing that I knew I needed to do."

Navigating the Transition to Clinical Practice

Kate's determination paid off. After completing her residency, she secured a position as a clinical pharmacist in an acute care role at the Nashville VA. This role was a crucial stepping stone in her career, even though it wasn't exactly what she had envisioned for herself long-term.

"I was more kind of bouncing around," Kate recalled. "I would do Internal Medicine type rounds. Sometimes, I'd cover surgery services or just help with processing orders.”

In this acute care role, Kate faced another significant transition: moving from being a student to being the one making critical decisions. "It was exciting but terrifying," she recalled. "Suddenly, I was the one making decisions that could directly affect patient outcomes. The responsibility was enormous."

Kate's voice grew serious as she described the weight of this responsibility. 

Balancing Ambition and Motherhood

During this time, Kate also experienced the challenges of balancing her career with pregnancy. "I was working long hours, often overnight shifts. I was pregnant with my first child, and trying to balance my career ambitions with my changing body and life was... well, it was a lot," she said, her voice tinged with the memory of that struggle.

"I remember being pregnant and being on shift where I didn't get off until 11:30 and then had an hour drive home," Kate recalled. "I actually had a co-worker follow me home because I was so sleepy. Looking back, I'm like, that wasn't a bad experience, but it was not something that I wanted to happen on repeat."

As Kate spoke about balancing her career ambitions with motherhood, I felt a deep sense of empathy. So many of us struggle with this delicate balance, trying to excel in our careers while also being present for our families. 

Kate’s experiences mirror those of so many healthcare professionals. The expectation of superhuman endurance, the fear of showing vulnerability – these are challenges that span across medical fields.

Realising Her Dream Role

Despite these challenges, Kate's strategy was clear - she had taken the acute role to help her stay in the VA system until she could get the job she truly wanted. Her hard work and dedication eventually led her to her dream role as a clinical pharmacist practitioner in primary care at a community-based outpatient clinic of the VA system.

Kate went on to explain the unique aspects of her role in the VA system. "As a clinical pharmacist practitioner, I have a full scope of practice. We prescribe and manage chronic disease states in primary care. It's a level of autonomy that's quite unique to the VA system."

This expanded role allows Kate to significantly impact patient care. "I see patients from home four days a week, and one day a week, I go into the clinic physically. It's a great balance that allows me to provide comprehensive care while also maintaining some flexibility for my family life."

Confronting Burnout and Anxiety

However, even in this seemingly ideal role, Kate found herself grappling with the persistent challenges of burnout and the pressure to be perfect. The COVID-19 pandemic brought these issues into sharp focus, forcing Kate to confront them head-on.

Kate's experience with burnout was compounded by postpartum anxiety following the birth of her second child in 2020. "I was newly postpartum and had postpartum anxiety. And then a pandemic happened on top of it," she shared. "For me, that year was really a year of a lot of growth and figuring out who am I as a clinician? Who am I as a mom? How do I make these two roles both be something that I can even do?"

This period of intense self-reflection and struggle became a turning point in Kate's career and personal life. Kate describes engaging in a process of deep introspection and intentional personal growth.

"I started really trying to learn more about how to be intentional," she explained. "I did a lot of introspection about the people that I've been in contact with as far as clinical medical professionals who set the example of who I want to be."

Kate began reading extensively on topics like imposter syndrome and changing thought patterns. She even started writing down affirmations and reminders, placing them around her workspace. "'I will not quit to avoid failing' and 'Momentum is messy' - these reminders help me stay focused on growth and progress, even when things get tough," she shared.

Embracing Vulnerability in Healthcare

This journey of self-discovery led Kate to embrace a philosophy of self-compassion and authenticity that would transform her practice. 

Kate's voice grew passionate as she described this shift. "We have this culture in healthcare where we're expected to know everything, to never make mistakes. But that's not realistic, and it's not healthy. By admitting when I don't know something, by normalising the act of looking things up, I'm creating a safer space for learning – for myself, for my students, and ultimately, for my patients."

Coming Full Circle: Educator and Advocate

This approach has become central to Kate's work, both in her clinical practice and in her growing role as a speaker and writer. "I do a lot more writing and speaking now," she explained. "I realised that there's a lot we can do to promote well-being, especially for our trainees but also for clinicians. Most of the time, I think it's a lack of knowing how to even start."

Kate's writing and speaking engagements have allowed her to reach a broader audience with her message of compassion and authenticity in healthcare. 

As our conversation neared its end, I asked Kate what makes her tick in her current role which now involves being the Residency Program Coordinator. Her response was immediate and heartfelt.

"It's the combination of direct patient care and education," she said. "I love being able to help patients manage their health over the long term. But I also love being able to shape the next generation of pharmacists. When I can help a student or resident understand not just the 'what' of pharmacy practice, but the 'why' and the 'how' – that's when I feel I'm truly making a difference."

Kate's eyes lit up as she described her work with learners. "I love seeing that moment when a concept clicks for a student, or when a resident gains confidence in their abilities. It's not so different from when I was teaching high school chemistry, really. The subject matter has changed, but the joy of facilitating learning is the same."

Kate's passion for education extends beyond her day-to-day work. She's currently working on a book to help people struggling with imposter thoughts and self-doubt, particularly in clinical fields. "I want to keep putting well-being at the forefront of people's minds," she explained.

Kate's openness about burnout and anxiety is refreshing in an industry often marked by stoicism. Her advocacy for vulnerability and self-compassion supports a much-needed cultural shift in healthcare.

Reflecting on our discussion, I considered the potential ripple effects of Kate's approach. Her candid sharing not only shapes future pharmacists but also ignites a broader dialogue about authenticity in healthcare.

Ultimately, Kate's story illustrates how embracing our whole selves - imperfections included - can lead to our most significant professional contributions and impact on patient care.

Kate’s Wisdom

• Burnout is not a badge of honour. It's never worth it.

• To learn, grow, and achieve, you must create a safe space to do it.

• Empathy is the cure for shame. Finding someone who can have empathy for where you're at, or being that voice of empathy because you've been there, is where self-compassion starts.

Connect with Kate on LinkedIn or find out more at her book, Validated, here.