Meet: Dr. Leslie Hodge!

Introduce yourself and profession to our readers:
Upon graduating from college where I earned my doctorate of pharmacy degree, I became a licensed pharmacist and began working as a pharmacist and pharmacy manager for a retail pharmacy chain.  After more than a decade, while successfully working in both roles simultaneously, I took my passion for people and my passion for pharmacy, and launched Scripts & Beyond, LLC - A Pharmacist Focused On YOU™.

Scripts & Beyond, LLC is a medication review and consulting company that provides private and personalized one-on-one medication therapy management services. All services are provided by a pharmacist who uses their clinical expertise to review the current medication regimen, recommend medication alternatives and lifestyle changes, and help create a plan to reach optimal health outcomes, for each patient.

What inspired you to pursue this area of interest?
Growing up I only knew one person who loved her job, and she was a pharmacist. I also remember a pharmacist helping our family understand the medications and treatment plans for my father, as we helped manage his care.
 
Those experiences coupled with a passion for people helped shape my desire to not only pursue pharmacy as a career, but to also create a service where individuals knew decisions were being made with them and not for them. I wanted them to experience being focused on, considered, and heard, thus creating a peace of mind that the prescription and over-the-counter  medications being used are safe, appropriate and cost-effective.
 
What advice would you share with those interested in a similar pursuit?
Start! Start with prayer. Start writing down your plans. Start connecting with like minded people. Start thinking about how and where you want to serve your target demographic. Start being a part of the committees and governing bodies who impact how you can serve. Start creating and focusing on your goals - just start.
 
Discuss a professional challenge and how you overcame it:
While most people think of pharmacists as the person in the white coat behind the pharmacy counter, one of my biggest challenges has been helping shift the mindset about the value pharmacists offer in managing healthcare...without a counter and a white coat.  Helping potential clients shift to seeing pharmacists as an asset and advocate on their wellness journey, has enabled me to use those challenges as opportunities to speak about the benefits and successes of my previous clients, who added a pharmacist focused on them to their healthcare team.
 
What is next for your brand/business in 2018?
Scripts & Beyond continues to grow and work toward becoming top of mind for providing personalized medication therapy management services, as well as a household name. Collaborating with other service providers in different industries continues to allow our efforts to reach the masses. 
 
The Scripts & Beyond with Dr. Hodge Radio Show continues to provide a weekly dose of health and wellness information and tips. Connecting with listeners and being a resource of information, has helped establish the understanding of how accessible and knowledgeable pharmacist are in managing one's health.
 
With the recent release of my first book - At The End Of The Day: Take It Personally, I want to help others transform their lives.  A collection of personal soul-stirring stories, At the End of the Day proves God always keeps His promises. Whether your day is filled with triumphs or disappointments, God has a plan for your life. Discover how God has demonstrated His commitment to you and how He has personally kept His promises in your life. When it comes to God's promises - take it personally.
 
In August 2018, I will be launching Reflections Coaching & Consulting, LLC. I will help empower high achieving men and women create a work, life, and health balance. While many experience successess in their careers, it is often at the expense of their health and the enjoyable experiences and relationships life has to offer. Clients will learn how to balance having it all...one day at a time.
 
To stay connected, visit www.drlesliehodge.com 
Facebook - @scriptsandbeyond,  @radioshowwithdrhodge 
Instagram - @scriptsandbeyond, @dr.hodge, @dr.hodge_newbook