Sharks Rx Spring 2018 | NSU College of Pharmacy

NOVA SOUTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY 36 Alumni Pride As the COP celebrates its 30-year anniversary, Finkel said he has seen the college evolve to keep up with the changing roles and demands on pharmacists. He has enjoyed helping so many students become better pharmacists over the years and says his teaching position also benefited him. “It made me into a different pharmacist in my own store,” Finkel said. “Instead of just filling prescriptions, I looked at those prescriptions as suggestions from the doctor. If I knew the patient had other problems or was taking other medications, I would call the doctor and suggest another option. I learned to be proactive. Now, the thousands of students I taught are doing that in pharmacies everywhere. I trained them to do what I learned to do. That’s just baseline. That’s what’s expected from a Doctor of Pharmacy.” After devoting so much of his life to the college, Finkel is now enjoying more time with his wife of 56 years, Mary, and their children and grandchildren. At 84, he’s still trying new things. After moving into a new community in Plantation, Florida, Finkel was listening and humming along with a piano player when he was asked to cover for him while he took a break. Finkel had never learned to play the piano, but he knew a few songs, so he gave it a try. Reminiscent of his first teaching gig, the piano player asked Finkel to come back again and again. He enjoyed it so much, he said yes. That meant he’d have to learn to play piano and learn more songs. “I went to YouTube, and the rest is history. I can play just about anything now,” Finkel said. Now, he’s a regular, playing Saturdays for a growing crowd, and loving every minute of it. “It’s really thrilling,” he said. (continued from previous page) “It’s a marathon, not a sprint. Plan ahead and adjust accordingly.” — Dawn DaCosta, M.A. Richard Finkel has played a vital role in the growth and success of the Pharm.D. program and its students. Instead of just filling prescriptions, I looked at those prescriptions as suggestions from the doctor. If I knew the patient had other problems or was taking other medications, I would call the doctor and suggest another option. I learned to be proactive. Now, the thousands of students I taught are doing that in pharmacies everywhere. I trained them to do what I learned to do. That’s just baseline. That’s what’s expected from a Doctor of Pharmacy. —Richard Finkel