The PQA Postdoctoral Executive Fellowship helps produce the next generation of leaders in health care quality through a full-time, 12-month program. Executive Fellows collaborate with PQA staff, members and other stakeholders on a variety of initiatives to improve medication use quality. During the fellowship, individuals will expand their skills and experience in project management, quality measure design and implementation, non-profit administration and association management, and health care quality research.
PQA will welcome Melanie Lam in June for the 2024-25 year. Learn more about her in this Q&A. The application window for the 2025-26 fellow cycle will open in September.
Melanie Lam
Prior to joining PQA, Melanie’s proudest accomplishment during her time in pharmacy school was spearheading the Global Gala at her university. The Global Gala was a charity banquet that celebrated diversity through a talent and fashion show, as well as representation from various cuisines. The Global Gala’s mission was to raise money for a local non-profit organization that provided funds for their uninsured population to help them with transportation to medical appointments, provide mental health services, and help pay for necessary laboratory exams. Melanie also enjoyed experiencing different roles in the pharmaceutical industry through her summer internship with Regeneron Pharmaceuticals and her pharmacy rotations with Bristol Myers Squibb and Eli Lilly. Melanie is passionate about being at the forefront of change and innovation and is an advocate for change to constantly improve patient care.
Melanie received her Doctor of Pharmacy from the University of Florida College of Pharmacy and her Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry from Emory University.
In her free time, Melanie enjoys listening to audiobooks while completing a paint-by-numbers painting, traveling the world to experience different cultures and foods, attending Pilates classes, and ice skating.
What drew you to PQA and the Executive Fellowship program?
I’m passionate about ensuring medication use and safety for patients, and this drive drew me to the pharmacy profession. PQA’s mission to optimize health by advancing the quality of medication use resonates with the main reason I decided to become a pharmacist. The Executive Fellowship offers me the opportunity to pursue my personal mission to improve healthcare quality on a large scale for patients and continue growing as a professional in the industry. However, the best part of what solidified PQA as the top choice for me is the wonderful people I’ve met throughout the organization.
What are your goals for your fellowship this year?
I can’t wait to be immersed in the variety of projects PQA has to offer and start making an impact on medication use quality. I’m excited to see how PQA approaches problem-solving and how I can bring a different perspective from my past experiences. I’m also looking forward to the opportunity to precept pharmacy students to help them grow professionally.