Your PharmD Bestie Podcast

Episode 16. Time Management for Busy Residents: Finding Balance + Self-Care Tips

In this episode of Your PharmD Bestie, host Alina Luk, PharmD, RPh, MBAc, is joined by Sofia Rodriguez, PharmD, MS, to tackle one of the biggest challenges in residency: time management. From juggling clinical responsibilities and presentations to keeping up with research projects and personal life, they dive into practical strategies to help residents stay organized, efficient, and balanced. Sofia shares her experience transitioning into residency—including moving across the country—and reflects on what surprised her most about the pace and demands of training. Together, they discuss how to build a sustainable routine, prioritize tasks effectively, and use helpful apps and tools to stay on track without feeling overwhelmed. The conversation also highlights the importance of self-care and recognizing early signs of burnout. Alina and Sofia offer actionable tips for checking in with yourself, setting boundaries, and maintaining your well-being throughout the year. They wrap up with advice for students preparing to start residency, focusing on how to set yourself up for success before day one. Whether you’re in the middle of residency or getting ready to begin, this episode offers relatable insights and practical tools to help you manage your time, protect your energy, and find balance in a demanding season.

Episode 15. Residency Projects: How to Choose and Execute a Great Project

In this episode of Your PharmD Bestie, host Alina Luk, PharmD, sits down with Abigail Klein, PharmD to discuss one of the most important—and often overwhelming—parts of pharmacy residency: the research project. Together, they break down how residents can thoughtfully choose a project, set realistic goals, and navigate the many moving parts involved in completing a meaningful study during a busy residency year.
Abby shares insights from her emergency medicine–focused research examining antibiotic discordance in urinary tract infections caused by ESBL-producing organisms. Throughout the conversation, they explore practical strategies for evaluating potential projects, including assessing feasibility, understanding timelines, selecting supportive preceptors, and minimizing unnecessary variables. They also discuss common challenges residents encounter, such as coordinating multi-site collaborations, navigating IRB approval, managing data collection, and avoiding “scope creep” that can derail a project’s timeline.
Alina and Abby reflect on lessons learned from their own experiences—including projects that didn’t go as planned—and share actionable advice to help future residents stay proactive, organized, and adaptable. Whether you’re preparing to start residency or already working on your research project, this episode offers practical guidance to help you execute a successful project while developing valuable research and communication skills.

Episode 14. Half-Way Mark Check-In

In this reflective episode of Your PharmD Bestie, host Alina Luk, PharmD sits down with Gerald Loyola, PharmD for a candid six-month residency check-in. Gerald shares honest reflections on the highs, challenges, and unexpected lessons from the first half of residency, offering reassurance to residents who may be questioning their progress. They discuss what it truly means to develop clinical confidence, how growth happens through repetition and discomfort, and how learning to receive feedback constructively can accelerate both personal and professional development. The conversation also explores navigating different residency rotations, adjusting to new expectations with each service, and balancing multiple responsibilities at once. In the Q&A segment, Gerald shares practical strategies for staying organized while managing projects, presentations, and clinical duties. Whether you’re mid-residency or preparing to start, this episode is a reminder that growth isn’t always linear—and that feeling stretched often means you’re evolving into the clinician you’re meant to become.

Episode 13: Applying for PGY2 (Early Commit Process)

In this informative episode of Your PharmD Bestie, host Alina Luk, PharmD sits down with Parker Woodruff, PharmD, a PGY1 acute care pharmacy resident at UC Davis Health, to break down the PGY2 application process—specifically the early commit pathway within the UC system. Parker shares his firsthand experience early committing into a PGY2 critical care residency, offering clarity on what PGY2 training entails and how it differs from PGY1. Together, they walk through the structure and timeline of the systemwide early commitment process, key differences from the traditional ASHP match, and the pros and cons applicants should consider when deciding which path is right for them.
The conversation also dives into when to start thinking about PGY2, how to prepare strong letters of intent and recommendation letters, and why self-reflection and career clarity are especially important given the early timeline. Parker reflects on navigating uncertainty early in residency, weighing different specialties, and ultimately choosing critical care as the best fit for his long-term goals. This episode offers practical advice, reassurance, and real-world insight for pharmacy residents who are considering specialization, feeling unsure early in PGY1, or deciding whether early commit aligns with their career plans.

Episode 12. Taking a Gap Year Unexpectedly

In this deeply personal episode of Your PharmD Bestie, host Alina Luk, PharmD, opens up about her unexpected gap year after pharmacy school and leaving residency three months in due to licensing requirements. Alina walks listeners through what happened, the realities of board exam setbacks, and what it truly means to step away from a residency program—and come back stronger. She shares her emotional journey navigating uncertainty and mental health challenges, while also offering transparency around the logistics of reapplying to residency, retaking the NAPLEX, and rebuilding confidence after a major career detour. From prioritizing self-care and re-evaluating study habits to leaning into creative outlets and mentorship, Alina reflects on how this pause ultimately became a period of growth and clarity. This episode is an honest reminder that setbacks do not define your career, timelines are not linear, and it’s okay to put yourself first when plans don’t unfold as expected. Whether you’re facing a board exam retake, considering a gap year, or questioning your next step after residency, this conversation offers reassurance, perspective, and hope.

Episode 11: Things to Consider for your LOI

In Episode 11 of Your PharmD Bestie, host Alina Luk, PharmD, shares practical, often-overlooked tips for writing a strong residency Letter of Intent (LOI) or personal statement. Drawing from her experience reviewing over 30 LOIs, Alina walks listeners through each section of the letter—from proper formatting and addressing the Residency Program Director correctly to crafting a compelling statement of interest. She breaks down how to structure body paragraphs using clear, specific examples, why quality matters more than quantity when showcasing experiences, and how to align your skills and goals with what residency programs are truly looking for. Alina also highlights common mistakes to avoid, including personalization errors, space limitations, and formatting pitfalls. Whether you’re drafting your first LOI or refining a final version for residency applications, this episode offers clear, actionable guidance to help you write with confidence and intention. Get your free LOI template here: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/s...

Episode 10. Things to Consider for your CV

In Episode 10 of Your PharmD Bestie, host Alina Luk, PharmD, breaks down the essential elements every pharmacy student and new practitioner should consider when building or updating their CV. From highlighting your strengths with clarity to organizing your experiences for maximum impact, Alina shares practical tips to help your application stand out. Whether you're preparing for residency, applying for your first job, or simply refreshing your professional documents, this episode offers a clear guide to creating a polished, confident, and compelling CV.

Episode 8. The Residency Playbook: Tips, Tricks, and Tales

In Episode 8 of Your PharmD Bestie, host Alina Luk, PharmD, sits down with Joey Nguyen, PharmD, a current PGY1 resident in Ambulatory Care and HIV at UC Davis Health, to break down the real-world journey into pharmacy residency. From building a standout application and navigating the interview and match process, to transitioning into residency life, Joey shares actionable advice, personal reflections, and practical tools that helped him succeed. Whether you’re just starting to consider residency or are deep in the application process, this episode is packed with candid insights to help you stay organized, confident, and focused throughout your pharmacy residency journey.

Episode 9. A Glimpse at Fellowship

In Episode 8 of Your PharmD Bestie, host Alina Luk, PharmD, welcomes Keya Patel, PharmD, a third-year pharmacy student at UCSF, to explore the often-misunderstood world of pharmaceutical industry fellowships. Keya shares her journey from initially pursuing a clinical pharmacy path to discovering her passion for medical affairs and strategy—ultimately matching as the inaugural Global Medical Affairs (HIV Prevention) Fellow at Gilead Sciences through the USC Fellowship Program. From breaking down the “dark side” myths of pharma to offering practical guidance on timelines, networking, and interview preparation, Keya provides a transparent look into how to successfully navigate the fellowship process. Whether you’re weighing residency vs. fellowship or curious about careers in industry, this episode delivers actionable advice, personal insights, and encouragement to help you find your own fit in pharmacy.

Episode 7. Residency Process: Choosing the Appropriate Residency Program

In Episode 7 of Your PharmD Bestie, host Alina Luk, PharmD, dives into the ins and outs of selecting the right residency program. From building a personalized spreadsheet to stay organized to navigating the interview season with confidence, Alina shares practical tips and tried-and-true strategies to help you streamline your residency process. Whether you're just starting your search or preparing for interviews, this episode offers a roadmap for staying focused, making informed decisions, and finding the best fit for your future.