CPNP Foundation enjoys featuring and thanking donors who exemplify the values of the Foundation through their dedication to evidence-based care, commitment to meeting the needs of patients living with psychiatric and neurologic disorders and their families, and through their sustained support. In this issue of Kaleidoscope, we feature Dr. Justin Ellison who has been a Foundation donor since his years as a resident.
Justin Ellison, PharmD, BCPP, is a Clinical Pharmacy Specialist in Mental Health at the Hyannis Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) of the Providence Veterans Affairs Medical Center. He earned his doctorate of pharmacy from the University of Rhode Island and went on to complete a PGY1 Pharmacy Practice Residency at Stony Brook University Medical Center and a PGY2 Psychiatric Pharmacy Residency at the Providence Veterans Affairs Medical Center. In his current position as a Clinical Pharmacy Specialist in Mental Health, Dr. Ellison has worked to develop a medication management clinic to improve access to mental health services for Veterans in the Hyannis Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) as well as a video telehealth clinic to expand psychiatric pharmacy services to other CBOCs in the area. He also serves as a preceptor for PGY1 Pharmacy Practice & PGY2 Psychiatric Pharmacy Residency programs.
What led you to pursue a career in psychiatric pharmacy?
I was exposed to the stigma facing the mental health population at an early age. My mother worked as a program manager for an assisted living facility and I recall spending a lot of time with some of the people there. One in particular stood out. He was kind, funny, and always had a big smile and new joke for me when I came in, but his family rarely, if ever, came to visit. When I questioned why, my mother explained that the people there had illnesses that could affect their brain and sometimes their families didn’t understand or were frightened by that. I remember being upset and outraged that my friend was viewed and treated differently just because he had an illness. That feeling stuck with me throughout my training. I was truly lucky to have incredible mentors, such as Dr. Robert L. Dufresne, whose guidance and encouragement inspired me to get connected with CPNP early and pursue a career in providing empathetic care and advocating for this underserved population.
What prompted you to donate to the CPNP Foundation?
CPNP has been a consistently supportive community throughout my training and now practice as a psychiatric pharmacist. I wanted to begin to give back to support the programs that I’ve witnessed first-hand and inspire students interested in pursuing a career in psychiatric pharmacy.
Which CPNP Foundation initiative most motivates you?
All of the CPNP Foundation initiatives align with my values on improving care and access to patients with mental illness (i.e. the Health Pharmacy directory), reducing stigma (i.e. Stigma Research Project), and student development. I couldn’t have been more proud to see a former student of mine, Dr. Natalie Valentino, win the Foundation’s Strategic Goals Award at this year’s Annual meeting, so I may be a little biased towards that initiative. However, I believe the Defining the Future research grants and travel grants have such a huge impact on getting new members and students engaged in research and CPNP Foundation’s mission early on in their careers. These Foundation initiatives serve to support the next generation of members who will continue to expand the role of psychiatric pharmacists and improve the quality of care for our patients.
How do you envision the CPNP Foundation making a difference in your life and/or the lives of patients and caregivers?
The CPNP Foundation has a commitment to reducing stigma associated with mental illness and improving the quality of life of our patients and their caregivers. The initiatives prioritized by the Foundation embody the essence of why I chose to get into this field. In my mind, there is no more appropriate and deserving organization whose mission mirrors my own views for the future of psychiatric pharmacy and the patients we serve.