Cleveland Clinic Weston
Michelle Brownstein, PharmD, BCCCP
The student had this to say about Dr. Brownstein:
“Dr. Brownstein provided me with a rotational experience which exposed me to valuable real world critical thinking and approaches to the pharmacists’ role within critical care. Her approach to teaching made me feel comfortable enough to ask questions without hesitation. Despite being extremely busy due to the complex, high acuity of the unit and having various other responsibilities, Dr. Brownstein took the time each and every day to walk students through clinical reasoning regarding vancomycin dosing notes, renal dose adjustments, IV to PO protocols, and clinical patient case presentations. Most importantly, Dr. Brownstein never subjected any student to ridicule or sarcasm when correcting students or providing feedback. Dr. Brownstein truly reflects the ideals that each preceptor should uphold and I feel she deserves all the recognition for a preceptor spotlight. She goes above and beyond for her patients and her students. Thank you Dr. Brownstein!”
Brief bio or Site description
Dr. Brownstein obtained a bachelor’s degree in Nutritional Sciences from the University of Florida and received her Doctor of Pharmacy degree in 2017 from Nova Southeastern University College of Pharmacy in Fort Lauderdale, FL. She completed her PGY-1 Pharmacy Practice Residency at Cleveland Clinic Florida in Weston, FL in 2018. Following her PGY-1, she completed a PGY-2 in Critical Care at Lee Health in Fort Myers, FL in 2019. Dr. Brownstein joined Cleveland Clinic in July 2019 and currently serves as the Clinical Coordinator of Pharmacy Services. She also manages the 24-bed surgical intensive care unit. She is an active member of local, state, and national pharmacy organizations including SCCM, ACCP and FSHP. Michelle actively contributes to the SCCM-CPP Pharmacotherapy Literature Updates.
What is your or your sites philosophy on educating students and/or providing pharmacy services?
My philosophy on educating students and providing pharmacy services is grounded in patient-centered care, teamwork, and practical clinical experience. In the hospital setting, I view pharmacists as integral members of the healthcare team who play a direct role in improving patient outcomes through medication optimization, safety, and education. Every patient encounter is an opportunity to apply evidence-based medicine while considering the individual patient’s goals, comorbidities, and transitions of care. When working with students, I aim to create a supportive and approachable learning environment where they feel comfortable asking questions and thinking through clinical decisions. I believe students learn best by actively participating in patient care, so I encourage them to assess patients, evaluate medication regimens, and communicate recommendations with the healthcare team under guidance. I place strong emphasis on developing clinical reasoning, confidence, and professionalism, while also modeling accountability and empathy. Ultimately, my goal is to help students grow into thoughtful, capable clinicians who understand the impact pharmacists have in the hospital setting and who are committed to providing safe, compassionate, and high-quality patient care.
What is a fun fact about you or the site?
This site sees a wide variety of cases with one of the highest acuities in the Cleveland Clinic enterprise, so no two student days look the same.