Kristina Naseman, Pharmacist Program Coordinator for Diabetes Stewardship at University of Kentucky Health, knows that her patients face a lot of choices when dealing with chronic conditions. She recognizes that it’s critical to develop personal relationships with her patients and build the necessary trust so that she can guide them through their care.

“I got into health-system pharmacy for three reasons: My love of science, how much I love working with people, and my gift for building relationships. Pharmacy allows me to pursue all these passions.”

I got into health-system pharmacy for three reasons: My love of science, how much I love working with people, and my gift for building relationships. Pharmacy allows me to pursue all these passions.”

Nurturing relationships is a passion for Kristina and critical to her role working closely with endocrinologists, the diabetes care team, and patients to manage their control over this complex disease state.

““Patients with diabetes are often prescribed multiple medications to manage not only their glucose levels, but the complications that come along with this condition. I’ve found that patients really enjoy working with a pharmacist to help them manage their medications. Many patients don’t understand what their medications do or why they’re taking them, so providing that education gives them a feeling of being in control, and more likely to adhere to their treatment plan.”

I’ve found that patients really enjoy working with a pharmacist to help them manage their medications.”

To form connections, Kristina focuses on working with her patients personally. She understands that patients want a sense of investment from their care team, and one-on-one conversations go a long way to foster and instill that trust.

“The more patients I work with, the more I’ve realized how open they are to talking to a pharmacist about their medications in a more comfortable setting. So, I try to set up individual consultations, whether it’s a phone call or an in-person visit. This allows me to build rapport with the patients.”

These trusted relationships, coupled with her medication specialization, make Kristina a valued member of the care team – one that providers and other colleagues trust for recommendations when developing treatment plans.

“Providers really see the value in having someone on the team who can help them navigate the complexity of medications and specializes in understanding how they should be used clinically, and operationally. They turn to me with questions not only about the medications themselves, but about how our patients take the medications and adhere to their treatment plans. They also look to me to explain the cost of medications and how each patient can navigate the expenses.”

The more patients I work with, the more I’ve realized how open they are to talking to a pharmacist about their medications in a more comfortable setting.”

Pharmacists like Kristina play an important role in answering questions about medications, as well as educating patients about diabetes management and coaching them on lifestyle modifications for their overall health.

For Kristina, being a trusted resource is what it means to help patients receive the best care possible, and what it means to be your pharmacist.