Establishing a Legacy: Considerations for Retiring Leaders

A follow-up survey of leadership staffing shows that nearly 80% of pharmacy leaders (pharmacy directors, deans, faculty, managers, and supervisors) are retiring in the next 10 years. Those who are delaying retirement are opting for part-time consulting work, traditional staff pharmacy jobs, or partial teaching appointments. There are various ways for leaders to transition into retirement; this transition can be early, delayed, or completed in a step-wise manner. Planning effectively for retirement in regard to finances and living situation is a first step to being able to make a contribution in retirement. Retirement can be an important time to continue making a difference in health system pharmacy through pharmacy education, practice, consulting, research, scholarship, and philanthropy. Whatever aspect the retiring pharmacy leader chooses, they can continue to make a difference by influencing other leaders in their mission to develop patient-centered pharmacy services.