On the Job: Jessica Phillips, BS ’25

Jessica Phillips, BS ’25, is a third-year pharmacy student who spent nine weeks this past summer as an intern at Johns Hopkins Hospital. Her work centered on advancing system-level initiatives to reduce opioid-related harm and enhance evidence-based addiction treatment. The clinical skills and interdisciplinary experiences she gained at St. Joe’s prepared her for a fast-paced clinical environment, helped her build meaningful professional relationships and allowed her to apply her passion for substance use care in a real-world setting.

The Role:

Pharmacy intern within opioid stewardship, Johns Hopkins Hospital 

Describe your internship in three emojis:

🩺 (clinical pharmacy work)

🌐 (interprofessionalism)

🧑‍💻 (project management)

The Day-to-Day:

Even though most days followed a routine of coming in, working up patients, going on rounds and working on my projects, there was always something unexpected I learned or saw. If it wasn’t something new in the hospital, there was always a unique experience waiting after hours. 

It’s 10 a.m. on a workday, what are you up to?

Typically, I would be attending patient rounds alongside the addiction medicine pharmacists, attendings, nurses and other medical students, where we met with the patient to see how they were doing and what changes needed to be made. 

Go-to snack or drink that gets you through the day:

Starbucks iced shaken espresso (maybe two) and Kodiak granola bars. 

My I “nailed it” moment:

Presenting the project I spent the entire summer on to not only my peers and other pharmacists, but to the Anesthesia and Analgesia specialty panel. I knew it went well when the panel agreed to move my recommendations forward for implementation in the hospital, where my work will truly make a difference. 

Favorite part of your role:

Making a real difference in patients’ lives and connecting with them in a way that lets them feel heard, supported and cared for. 

Fit check:

Business casual outfit, loafers and white coat (and my ID badge to complete the look).

Tips for the next intern:

Say yes to everything, get out of your comfort zone and take the leap. Keep a running Google Doc or notebook of what you experience and learn each day — it’ll be incredibly helpful for future CV material and for reflecting on your growth. Network, network, network. One conversation can change your life and open up doors you never knew existed.