UF Health – Jacksonville
Justin Tinsley, PharmD, BCACP
The student had this to say about Dr. Tinsley:
I would like to nominate Dr. Justin TInsley for the Exemplary Clinician of the Year Award. During my rotation from Jan 1 – Feb 13, he taught me invaluable lessons about what it means to be a pharmacist. By my third day, he encouraged me to jump right in seeing patients and collecting information, and by the second week, he trusted me to manage patient visits independently and report back with my assessments and plans. He consistently challenged me to think beyond the surface, highlighting clinical considerations I had not yet developed as a student. What stood out the most was the way he explained his reasoning and taking the time to walk through his clinical thought process and reviewing primary literature with me so I could better understand how to interpret trials and evaluate journals critically. He pushed me intellectually while fostering a supportive learning environment. He also created meaningful teaching opportunities by allowing the PGY1 resident and me to be a part of him educating patients on heart failure medications. He guided us on tailoring counseling points in ways the patient can understand. This experience strengthened my clinical knowledge while reinforcing the importance of patient centered care. During my presentation preparation, he provided honest and constructive feedback on areas for improvement, delivering it with professionalism and respect. He also ensured I gained exposure to the full scope of ambulatory care pharmacy practice, involving me in behind the scenes responsibilities such as prior authorizations and patient assistance programs. Although these qualities reflect the responsibilities as a preceptor, his dedication went far beyond expectations. He typically co-precepts students with another pharmacist, and for my rotation the other pharmacist was my primary preceptor. However, due to unforeseen circumstances, he stepped into the primary role while simultaneously precepting a PGY1 resident and overseeing a PGY2 resident. Despite these added responsibilities, he handled everything with exceptional organization and composure, always making sure I felt supported and receiving my full educational experience. I could go on about the impact he has had on my growth, but I will close by saying that his mentorship, leadership, and genuine investment in his students set him apart. He exemplifies the qualities of an outstanding clinician and educator, and I wholeheartedly believe he is deserving of this award.
Brief bio or Site description
As a preceptor, I strive to demonstrate to students and pharmacy residents that it is possible to be both an effective clinician and an engaging mentor while maintaining a positive learning environment. My rotation is not intended to be easy, as it involves direct patient care and defined expectations for each learner. However, I believe it is essential to clearly communicate these expectations and ensure they are realistic and attainable. Establishing clear goals at the beginning helps learners understand where they are expected to be by the end of the rotation. At the beginning of each experience, I assess the learner’s baseline clinical knowledge and identify their strengths, which allows me to tailor the rotation to promote individualized growth. I strongly believe that effective precepting requires adapting one’s approach to meet the unique needs of each learner rather than applying a single method to everyone.
What is your or your sites philosophy on educating students and/or providing pharmacy services?
As a preceptor, I strive to demonstrate to students and pharmacy residents that it is possible to be both an effective clinician and an engaging mentor while maintaining a positive learning environment. My rotation is not intended to be easy, as it involves direct patient care and defined expectations for each learner. However, I believe it is essential to clearly communicate these expectations and ensure they are realistic and attainable. Establishing clear goals at the beginning helps learners understand where they are expected to be by the end of the rotation. At the beginning of each experience, I assess the learner’s baseline clinical knowledge and identify their strengths, which allows me to tailor the rotation to promote individualized growth. I strongly believe that effective precepting requires adapting one’s approach to meet the unique needs of each learner rather than applying a single method to everyone.
What is a fun fact about you or the site?
My father and I are both acknowledged by the Smithsonian for donating a bottle of Mendenhall’s Malaria Chill and Fever Tonic with Arsenic. The artifact was originally discovered by my father, and I later assisted him with the process of having it formally accepted into the Smithsonian’s collection.