Pharmacy Perspectives - Summer/Fall 2017 - 8

Graduation :
Whitney Pittman with her father, mother and siblings

into hospice the following day. "I had
the summer to grieve and be with my
family," says Pittman.
"My father and my friend are the
reasons I have kept on this track," says
Pittman. "It's bittersweet. Neither are
here, but they both encouraged me to
continue a career in oncology so that
I can better advocate and improve the
quality of life of my patients." Their
individual struggles provided the spark,
but research, shadowing opportunities,
and patients and their families fueled
Pittman's passion and drive.
"This is what my dad really would
have wanted. He was so proud of me
and my siblings. This is what I'm meant
to do," says Pittman.
Since graduating, Pittman has started
her residency at Children's Hospital of
Orange County in pediatrics. "It's the
positive outlook of the children and
their parents that provide me with hope.
You look at the parents and it makes your
heart melt. That's what spurs me on."

Brushes with Cancer Set
Pittman on Career Path

W

hitney Pittman's career path seems pre-ordained.
When she was 10 years old, a classmate and friend was diagnosed with a brain
tumor. At age 15, her friend died. "It was the first time I had ever heard the word
cancer and that really left an imprint on me," says Pittman.
"Since high school I knew I wanted a career in health care, specifically pediatric
oncology," says Pittman.
Pittman earned a summer internship at the University of Texas Health Science
Center where she looked at cancer in a biology lab. "After that summer, I realized I wanted something with more
direct patient care. So that's when I started focusing on pharmacy." She followed that experience by shadowing
an investigational drug pharmacist at Shands at the University of Florida and that sealed the deal.
Her second brush with cancer came during her first year of the pharmacy program when her father was
diagnosed with esophageal cancer. "It was emotionally draining for me. Between wanting to spend time with
my family and continuing on in the curriculum, I was torn. But my parents wanted me to continue. And as far
as I knew, the prognosis was good."
Unfortunately, Pittman's father took a turn for the worse during finals week of her second year of
the program. "I called after my last final to talk with him and less than an hour after the call he went
into respiratory distress," remembers Pittman. She flew home to Florida immediately. Her father was put

8

CU Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences

Whitney Pittman celebrates commencement



Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Pharmacy Perspectives - Summer/Fall 2017

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