Before you read any further, I know what you're thinking. You think that I must be crazy or some type of conspiracy theorist. I'm just too cynical. You know that corporations don't own the politicians or control our society. The American people are in charge of our country and the politicians work for us.
You know that there's no such thing as "corporatocracy". It's just a figment of my imagination.
But nonetheless, the State of Arizona has farmed out their prison pharmacist positions earlier this year to a private company (pdf) from the State of Pennsylvania, and at a higher cost than last year.
As such, there aren't any more "cushy" state jobs, with great benefits, left for pharmacists. Those type of positions have become obsolete. Pharmacists working for the prison system are now "at will" employees whose employment is subject to the whim of those private corporate contractors.
So, wondering how privatization was working out for prison pharmacists who've been on the job for years, I decided to ask a former Arizona State DOC pharmacist about how the changes affected him personally. He didn't seem too happy about it.
Luckily though, he agreed to share a portion of his recorded exit-interview with us for posterity.
Thursday, June 14, 2012
Friday, June 8, 2012
Pharmacist Job Market
It's reportedly a much tougher job market for recent pharmacy graduates. But they're stand-up people, persistent, and with good senses of humor. I'm sure that they'll all be able to use their newly gained powers to eventually find employment in the profession.
Monster.com - Superhero from Townhall on Vimeo.
Monster.com - Superhero from Townhall on Vimeo.
Thursday, June 7, 2012
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
Smoke-Free Arizona Act Redux
May 31st was World No Tobacco Day. On that day in 2006, Arizona voters passed an initiative that prohibits smoking in most public places. KAET's Arizona Horizon takes a look at the impact of the Smoke-Free Arizona Act five years after it went into effect.
Guests include Bill Pfeiffer, CEO of the American Lung Association of the Southwest and Harmony Duport who is responsible for enforcing the Act for the Arizona Department of Health Services.
Source: AZPBS | Hat tip to Cole Durkee for alerting me.
Guests include Bill Pfeiffer, CEO of the American Lung Association of the Southwest and Harmony Duport who is responsible for enforcing the Act for the Arizona Department of Health Services.
Source: AZPBS | Hat tip to Cole Durkee for alerting me.
Tomorrow Is A Long Way Off
Skateboarding legend Christian Hosoi had everything: money, fame, and a very promising career.
After seven years doing crystal meth every day, he hit rock bottom and realized that he had to make a serious decision. He hopes that by telling his story, others will be inspired to make the right choice.
Source: You Are Not Alone
After seven years doing crystal meth every day, he hit rock bottom and realized that he had to make a serious decision. He hopes that by telling his story, others will be inspired to make the right choice.
Source: You Are Not Alone
Monday, June 4, 2012
Southern Exposure
Listen up pharmacy students and recent grads. Here's some good advice for the near-term future.
Although I'm the poster child for being debt-free and for living below one's means, for many future pharmacists (including myself once), acquiring student loan debt is a vital necessity for attaining a college degree. Most of us couldn't get through school without it. So, I understand how worried you are about repaying your loan upon graduation. Most pharmacists are responsible people.
But, if you fall prey to those large sign-on bonuses offered by the chains to work in the rural areas of America, you just may regret your decision. I've been there myself, so I know.
But again, don't just take my word for it. See what little chop-chop has to say about it.
Southern Exposure from Tiny Hat Studio on Vimeo.
Although I'm the poster child for being debt-free and for living below one's means, for many future pharmacists (including myself once), acquiring student loan debt is a vital necessity for attaining a college degree. Most of us couldn't get through school without it. So, I understand how worried you are about repaying your loan upon graduation. Most pharmacists are responsible people.
But, if you fall prey to those large sign-on bonuses offered by the chains to work in the rural areas of America, you just may regret your decision. I've been there myself, so I know.
But again, don't just take my word for it. See what little chop-chop has to say about it.
Southern Exposure from Tiny Hat Studio on Vimeo.
Sunday, June 3, 2012
Feeling Stronger Every Day
Through all of the torn ligaments, tendinitis, pulled muscles, minor aches and pains, and hemorrhoids popping out at inopportune times, I've finally accomplished my goal of getting back into shape.
After years of just working as much as I could, and neglecting my health, I knew that it would take a long time to get back in shape. But, I swallowed my pride at how much strength I'd lost and took "baby steps" along the way, knowing that persistence would eventually pay off. And now it has.
It's been about 18 months now since I began my goal, and I knew the most-difficult part would be making myself work-out when it was the last thing I wanted to do with my free time. But I kept going and it got easier, and more enjoyable, with time. Both my strength and my stamina have returned to near personal peaks, and from this point on I see myself progressing further even faster.
My body is as hard as a rock, and I'm feeling stronger every day. Now I can't wait to get to the gym. But most-importantly, my blood pressure is ideal, my resting heart rate decreased, I've gained ten pounds in muscle-mass, I lift things easier, don't get winded as easily, sleep better, wake up with morning wood, and altogether just feel much better.
And some of the ladies have even been checking out my nice butt (and probably a few men too).
Much thanks to personal trainer, Denise, and friends for some tips and pointers on my techniques which helped prevent further injuries on the track. Your advice was greatly appreciated, but now it's time to go out on my own.
After years of just working as much as I could, and neglecting my health, I knew that it would take a long time to get back in shape. But, I swallowed my pride at how much strength I'd lost and took "baby steps" along the way, knowing that persistence would eventually pay off. And now it has.
It's been about 18 months now since I began my goal, and I knew the most-difficult part would be making myself work-out when it was the last thing I wanted to do with my free time. But I kept going and it got easier, and more enjoyable, with time. Both my strength and my stamina have returned to near personal peaks, and from this point on I see myself progressing further even faster.
My body is as hard as a rock, and I'm feeling stronger every day. Now I can't wait to get to the gym. But most-importantly, my blood pressure is ideal, my resting heart rate decreased, I've gained ten pounds in muscle-mass, I lift things easier, don't get winded as easily, sleep better, wake up with morning wood, and altogether just feel much better.
And some of the ladies have even been checking out my nice butt (and probably a few men too).
Much thanks to personal trainer, Denise, and friends for some tips and pointers on my techniques which helped prevent further injuries on the track. Your advice was greatly appreciated, but now it's time to go out on my own.
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