As RxTechExam continues celebrating 15 years of pharmacy technician education, workforce development, and leadership, one thing has become increasingly clear: the most powerful stories in pharmacy often begin unexpectedly.
This week’s RxTechTalks proudly highlights the inspiring journey of Keyerrá Buckley, a Certified Pharmacy Technician, educator, healthcare advocate, and pharmacy leader whose story reflects the incredible versatility and opportunity within the pharmacy profession.
What makes Keyerrá’s story so impactful is how relatable it is for so many current and future pharmacy professionals.
She did not originally plan to enter pharmacy. She initially intended to pursue phlebotomy, but when that program was full, she enrolled in pharmacy technician training instead. What started as an unexpected opportunity eventually became a career rooted in leadership, education, advocacy, compliance, workforce development, and mentorship.
And that is exactly why representation and storytelling matter.
Over the past 15 years, RxTechExam has witnessed thousands of learners enter pharmacy through nontraditional pathways. Some students are recent high school graduates. Others are career changers, parents reentering the workforce, military veterans, healthcare professionals pivoting careers, or individuals simply looking for a new beginning.
The pharmacy profession creates opportunities many people never initially imagine.
Throughout her journey, Keyerrá has worked across retail pharmacy, hospital pharmacy, sterile and nonsterile compounding, specialty pharmacy, pharmacy auditing, continuing education, and workforce training. Today, she serves as ACPE Administrator and Technical Trainer with Pharmacy Stars while continuing to advocate for pharmacy technician education and professional growth.
But perhaps one of the most powerful moments from Keyerrá Vocal Video spotlight was not about titles or credentials. It was her advice to future technicians:
“Keep a handy dandy notebook.”
Simple. Practical. Honest.
Because success in pharmacy is not built overnight. It is built through repetition, consistency, curiosity, humility, confidence, and continuous learning.
Her recommendation to use notebooks, flashcards, and small moments throughout the day to continue learning reflects the realities of pharmacy education. Growth happens little by little. Confidence is built through preparation. And strong pharmacy professionals are developed through persistence and adaptability.
That is exactly why RxTechExam launched our growing Vocal Video collection and Wall of Impact initiative.
The goal is simple:
Highlight real pharmacy professionals.
Celebrate authentic career journeys.
Show students what is possible.
And inspire the next generation of pharmacy leaders.
Too often, students only see one version of what a pharmacy technician can become. But stories like Keyerrá’s demonstrate the truth: pharmacy technicians contribute to healthcare in countless ways far beyond traditional dispensing roles.
Some become educators.
Some become operational leaders.
Some specialize in informatics, compliance, revenue cycle management, compounding, purchasing, auditing, accreditation, leadership, technology, or workforce development.
And some become the mentors future generations desperately need.
As RxTechExam celebrates 15 years of impact, we remain deeply committed to continuing these conversations and amplifying voices across the profession.
Because every story shared has the power to inspire another learner to keep going.
Every technician who mentors others strengthens the workforce.
And every pharmacy professional willing to share their journey helps build a stronger future for healthcare.
To Keyerrá, thank you for your leadership, advocacy, authenticity, and continued dedication to pharmacy education and workforce development.
And to every pharmacy technician reading this:
Your journey matters.
Your story matters.
And someone else may one day succeed because you chose to share it.
Wishing you success,
Dr. Abel Guevara III, CPhTAdv
