Hutchison Empowered Meagan Thornton ’12 to Be a Leader in Her Field

Because I excelled in science early on, my college counselor at Hutchison encouraged me to research programs where I could explore science-related career fields. I attended summer camps for forensic science, engineering, and pharmacy, and I quickly realized forensic science and engineering did not interest me.

The University of Toledo pharmacy camp provided a comprehensive introduction to the field of pharmacy as well as shadowing opportunities in different settings. I realized there were many practice options available for pharmacists to pursue: community/retail, hospital, government, compounding, industry, and academia. More importantly, the pharmacists I shadowed during the program all loved their jobs and were excited to share their career journeys. I’ve always been fascinated with how medications work, and I was so impressed by their extensive knowledge of pharmacology. 

My interest in pharmacy continued to grow as I developed a passion for healthcare. We all engage with the healthcare system either as patients or caregivers, and it can be difficult to navigate. In my own family, there are very few healthcare professionals, so I enjoy being a resource to them and my community. 

Effective communication is one of the professional skills I use most, specifically adapting my communication to my audience. I interact with a wide variety of people throughout the day: patients, doctors, insurance agents, tech teams, and pharmaceutical executives, for example. Organization and attention to detail are also my most used professional skills as I oversee the drug dispensing process for hundreds of patients. I evaluate the appropriateness of drug therapy, counsel patients on their medication, and maintain our inventory. In the corporate office, I attend meetings to assess the effectiveness of our internal tools, give input on product rollouts, review policies and procedures, and update pharmaceutical partners.

I viewed pursuing an MBA as an opportunity to expand my skill set, especially before entering a competitive job market. I originally planned to obtain an MBA well after pharmacy school and transition to a management role further into my career. The University of Tennessee College of Pharmacy offered a dual degree program, and I knew I could handle the additional work after successfully completing my first year of pharmacy school.

I’m naturally curious about the world around me, and Hutchison allowed me to cultivate that spirit. One of my favorite high school memories was the AP Spanish class trip to Argentina in 2011. This was part of an initiative for students to explore cultures beyond the classroom, and after years of developing proficiency in Spanish, it was amazing to immerse ourselves in a new country. We accepted the challenge to only speak Spanish while interacting with native speakers in shops and restaurants. We learned history in Buenos Aires, hiked a glacier in Patagonia, and rode horses in Bariloche. This immersion trip made me eager to continue learning about and connecting with other people.

My Hutchison experience also empowered me to be a leader in my field. I’ve learned that leading with integrity, kindness, and positivity is just as crucial as technical knowledge. These are all key values that Hutchison instills in each generation of students. When I have meetings with software developers and engineers, occasionally I am the only woman in the room. I know that I offer a unique perspective and expertise, and I don’t feel intimidated. Attending an all-girls school helped me approach any environment with readiness and confidence.