This is Really Happening

So, I'm on sabbatical. It seems cliche, but I never thought I'd get here.

To begin with, I never thought I 'wanted' a sabbatical. Mostly because it would take me away from clinic, which I absolutely love. After my sabbatical was approved I was talking with a colleague and she reminded me of this. I will still miss clinic very much, but honestly, after dealing with COVID for the past 2 years, I'm ready for a break. And my sabbatical will help my patients and advance my practice.

Additionally, this sabbatical has already been sidetracked once. I was approved in Spring 2020 for a leave in Fall 2020, and we can all guess how that went. It was the uncertainty of COVID. It was a colleague dying unexpectedly (that would have carried my teaching burden that fall). I remember sitting in my living room and shedding some tears because of it.

But I re-applied and was selected. So here we are.

COVID is still here, and will likely impact my sabbatical in ways I can't know. I still have teaching and practice responsibilities that will go to someone else. I honestly still have a few responsibilities I won't be able to shake. But I'm doing it!

A colleague suggested I keep a blog, so this is it.

As far as my focus on my sabbatical - it's 'discovering how pharmacists can best care for refugees.' My clinic serves a very high portion of refugees, and caring for these patients has become a passion. I have some plans...

I am also hoping to work on some various research work (you know... things I've wanted to do, but didn't have time).

And of course - RELAX and RECHARGE. Which, honestly, might be difficult for me. I've always been one to go - go - go - go. Below is a picture of me 'starting off my sabbatical' at the NHL Winter Classic at Target Field this year; - 9 with a windchill of -25!

So that's it. That's a start. I'm on sabbatical.

ap