ANGIE VAN WYCK
What is your current position at HHA?
Lead Nonsterile pharmacist
What drew you to your current occupation?
I always loved the sciences and we had a family friend in pharmacy. I was intrigued by the care of the patient and how accessible a pharmacist was for giving advice and care to the clients. I also wanted a good job that would allow me to take time off and work less when I was raising young children but allow me to jump right back in when I had more time available to work.
How has working with other women helped shape your career?
Women tend to be primary care givers to children or other family members which usually results in very hard workers, very compassionate human beings and wise people. I have worked with many who care for their patients in the same way they would care for a family member. This compassion and drive for connecting with others have helped shape my perspective of patient care and teamwork within an organization.
What advice do you have for women seeking leadership positions in their industry?
Always care for, respect and connect with the people that you lead. Celebrate their accomplishments, listen to them, build on their strengths and help teach them to be the best at what they do. You will develop great relationships and will develop a great team. You will be the boss that people want to work for, and they will always have your back.
What is your best tip for staying healthy during the pandemic?
Figure out the best way to decrease your stress and the best way to stay connected to your friends and family…oh and good sleep, healthy eating, exercise and take your supplements!
What is your favorite thing to do to relax?
I find exercise to be the most relaxing thing I do for my brain and my body. I love that feeling of tired muscles after a morning workout. I especially like to end my workout with a walk in the woods with my puppy, Finnegan and his big brother, Theo.
When you were in grade school what did you want to be when you grew up? I wanted to be a veterinarian, a doctor, or a scientist.
ALICA RYAN
What is your current position at HHA?
I am the nutritionist at HHA
What drew you to your current occupation?
I unfortunately lost family members at too young of an age. Looking back out their dietary choices and lifestyle habits I know that with what I know now it could have been different. I knew that I wanted to help improve the quality of people’s lives. I want people to meet and be a part of their grandchildren’s lives and their great grandchildren, and who even knows maybe their great, great grandchildren.
How has working with other women helped shape your career?
Women are amazing. We take on so much and put so many people first before ourselves. Many times when women seek out my help they are frustrated, exhausted, and overwhelmed. I love teaching women how to take care of their health and help them to find the root cause of their concerns because by doing this they actually become even better spouses, mothers, employees, etc.
But I think what has most shaped my career is when you work with women who are hoping to become mothers. If I can help them with this it has become the most rewarding experience so far.
What advice do you have for women seeking leadership positions in their industry?
Never stop learning. There is so much information out there on nutrition so don’t put on blinders or become too focused on particular diets or protocols. Keep learning, keep trying new things, keep your opinions open. We are all unique and we all deserve and open-minded unique approach on our health.
What is your best tip for staying healthy during the pandemic?
Best tip? I have a few 😊
If I had to only give one tip it would be to manage your stress. Chronic stress (I mean we have been in this pandemic for a year now), can affect so many aspects of your health. If you can learn tools to manage stress by removing triggers, learning mechanisms to cope, supporting the adrenals and hippocampus with nutritional supplements, and improving sleep you can affect overall health.
What is your favorite thing to do to relax?
Run… honestly running helps clear my mind and allows me to process information. If I need to rest my body then laying at the beach and listening to the waves.
When you were in grade school what did you want to be when you grew up? A doctor. I still do, although a Naturopathic doctor now.