Every great pharmacist has had a mentor who guided, challenged, and inspired them along the way. At the University of Georgia College of Pharmacy, preceptors are, in many ways, a key mentor. They play an essential role in shaping the next generation of pharmacy professionals—bringing real-world experience, compassionate leadership, and a passion for lifelong learning to every rotation. Each year, the College recognizes a select group of these exceptional educators with the Preceptor of the Year Award.

For the 2024-2025 academic year, three outstanding preceptors have been honored for their dedication, mentorship, and impact on the professional journeys of our graduating PharmD students.

Dr. Julie Parker earned both her Doctor of Pharmacy and Master of Science in Health Informatics from Mercer University College of Pharmacy. She went on to complete a PGY1 residency at the Shepherd Center in Buckhead, GA, and she now serves as Clinical Coordinator at Piedmont Newnan, in her hometown of Newnan, GA.  

Dr. Nathan Wayne earned his Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the UGA College of Pharmacy. He completed a PGY1 residency at UNC REX Healthcare and a PGY2 Cardiology residency at the University of Kentucky HealthCare. Currently, Dr. Wayne serves as a Cardiology Clinical Pharmacist for the cardiovascular intensive care and acute care cardiology services at Wellstar MCG Health Medical Center in Augusta, GA. 

Dr. Courtney Zeigler earned her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the UGA College of Pharmacy. She completed a PGY1 pharmacy practice residency at St. Joseph’s/Candler Health System in Savannah, GA. She now serves as a Clinical Pharmacy Specialist in internal medicine at Candler Hospital in Savannah, GA. 

In a Q&A session with our three honorees, they shared words of wisdom and reflections on rewarding moments from precepting: 

Dr. Julie Parker, PharmD, MSHI

• What is a moment as a preceptor that is memorable?
  • A moment that really stuck with me as a preceptor was when a student who had been struggling finally nailed a patient case presentation on diabetic ketoacidosis. The look of pride on their face reminded me why I do this. It’s not just about teaching; it’s about building your students’ confidence and helping them believe in themselves.

• What is the most rewarding part of being a preceptor? 
  • The most rewarding part of being a preceptor is seeing your students grow in confidence and competence–knowing that you played a direct role in shaping their professional development and helping them find their footing in the pharmacy profession.

• What advice would you give to other preceptors?
  • If I could give advice to other preceptors, it would be to lead with patience and empathy. Remember that students are not just learning clinical concepts—they’re learning how to carry themselves in a professional setting. Offer constructive feedback, celebrate small wins, and create a safe space where they feel comfortable asking questions.

Dr. Nathan Wayne, Pharm.D., BCPS, BCCP, AACC (‘17)

• What is a moment as a preceptor that is memorable? 
  • One time during teaching rounds the attending cardiologist asked a question about the recommendations for anticoagulation surrounding cardioversion. The APPE student and I had previously reviewed the guideline recommendations during a topic discussion earlier that week.  Out of the entire multidisciplinary rounding team the only person who knew the correct answer was the APPE pharmacy student. She was able to answer the question confidently and teach the team the rationale behind the recommendation. Later, she counseled the patient on their new medication and answered all the patient’s questions. 

• What is the most rewarding part of being a preceptor? 
  • For me it’s the “lightbulb” or “ah-ha” moments that happen when a student learns something new, finally fully understands a concept, or applies what they have learned in didactic lectures to real life patient care. 

• What advice would you give to other preceptors?
  • Try and learn something from every student, just as they learn from you! 

Dr. Courtney Zeigler, Pharm.D., BCPS (‘21)

• What is a moment as a preceptor that was memorable? 
  • A moment that has stuck with me as a preceptor was having a student tell me I was her biggest inspiration during her APPE year and that I inspired her to pursue a PGY1 residency along with a PGY2 residency in internal medicine. I am truly honored to have inspired her and other students to pursue the greatness that they are capable of reaching.

• What is the most rewarding part of being a preceptor? 
  • For me, the most rewarding part of being a preceptor is seeing the growth in my students during their rotation with me. I sit down with my students at the beginning of the rotation and ask them to identify their strengths and areas for improvement. Then, I work with them throughout the rotation to capitalize on their strengths and bolster their areas for improvement. I enjoy watching my students grow in their knowledge, skills, and confidence during my rotation, and I am happy to contribute to their learning and future success in a small way.

• What advice would you give to other preceptors?
  • I would encourage other preceptors to recognize that individual students have different learning styles/needs, and be willing to meet each student where they are. Having that flexibility is important to the success of every student we precept.