Elaine Law, PharmD, BCPS, FCSHP, associate clinical professor of pharmacy practice and regional coordinator for San Jose, has a motto which motivates her to step outside her comfort zone, “To get something you never had, you have to do something you’ve never done.”

This mindset, paired with a willingness to be flexible in challenging circumstances, was the catalyst that propelled her to become president-elect of the California Society of Health-System Pharmacists (CSHP). Dr. Law will be installed at the upcoming CSHP Seminar in November.  

As a pharmacy resident at University of California, San Francisco, she joined the CSHP Golden Gate Chapter, where she served as co-chair of the community service committee. A few years later, Dr. Law and colleague Allison Pollock, PharmD, BCPS, FCSHP advocated for the formation of a new committee focused on serving as the voice of young professionals, fostering leadership and encouraging engagement.

“I would say the pivotal experience that changed the trajectory and momentum of my career, and my level of involvement with organizational leadership, was when we started the first local new practitioner group,” said Dr. Law.

The initiative received attention across California and in 2011 the New Practitioner Executive Committee was established. Dr. Law expressed interest in joining as a committee member, but, to her surprise, she was asked to serve as the inaugural chair.

“I was apprehensive about the responsibility to bring about impactful change on that level, but I was willing to learn, listen and work hard,” she said.

Her positive experience serving in this capacity inspired her to run for the CSHP Board of Directors where she was elected and served from 2016 to 2018. She then served with the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, where she engaged with advisory groups focused on mentoring new practitioners and supporting preceptors as well as advocating for diversity, equity and inclusion opportunities in pharmacy education.

“My experiences with CSHP and ASHP have solidified my passion for nurturing young leaders and engaging our membership in new ways,” Dr. Law said. “The time has come to reinvent our organization, ensuring we remain relevant and capable of connecting with a new generation of pharmacy practitioners, including leaders, educators and, most importantly, patient care providers.”

Dr. Law has been mentoring Pacific PharmD students since 2015. In her teaching she uses the Socratic Method, encouraging dialogue between herself and her students. She uses thought-provoking questions to promote critical thinking, which in turn leads to active learning and self-discovery.

“I want students to be independent and take full ownership of all aspects of their patients’ care,” she said.

In 2022, Dr. Law was named Regional Coordinator of the Year.