Orlando VA Medical Center
Miranda Boraas, PharmD
The student had this to say about Dr. Boraas:
“On my first day of my critical care rotation in the ICU at the VA, I was nervous about caring for critically ill patients. The environment felt intense and unfamiliar. However, by the end of the rotation, I didnt want to leave as I had grown attached to following up on my patients and being part of their care team. Dr. Miranda Boraas made this rotation truly exceptional. From day one, she was incredibly welcoming and supportive, helping the ICU feel less intimidating and more like a place where I belonged. She is extremely knowledgeable in a wide array of critical care topics, and her passion for teaching was evident in every topic discussion we had. She took the time to explain complex concepts in a way that was both engaging and easy to understand, which helped me grow tremendously in my clinical knowledge and confidence. Watching her advocate for our critically ill veterans with such compassion and clinical expertise was inspiring. One of my favorite parts of the rotation was participating in rounds with the ICU team. It was amazing to see how often the team turned to Dr. Boraas for her input about treatment options, drug interactions, and patient-specific concerns. It was clear that the pharmacists role was not only respected but essential to the teams decision-making process. Before this rotation, I hadnt seriously considered pursuing a residency. But Dr. Boraas saw potential in me and encouraged me to explore that path. Her belief in me has made me reconsider my future, and I’m now seriously thinking about applying for residency, a possibility I hadnt imagined before this experience. I want to sincerely thank Dr. Boraas for a truly amazing rotation experience. Her mentorship, support, and dedication to teaching made a lasting impact on me, both personally and professionally.”
Brief bio or Site description
I graduated from South Dakota State University College of Pharmacy in 2020. I completed my PGY-1 Pharmacy Residency at the Pheonix VA Health Care System. Then I completed my PGY-2 Critical Care Pharmacy Residency at the North Florida/South Georgia VA and began working in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at the Orlando VA Medical Center thereafter. At the Orlando VA, ICU pharmacists are an integral part of the healthcare team, providing comprehensive medication therapy management for the entire unit.
What is your or your sites philosophy on educating students and/or providing pharmacy services?
Working in the ICU presents unique challenges for learners including the overwhelming environment and caring for acutely ill patients. I strive to create a safe space for learners to ask questions without judgement while simultaneously engaging and developing their clinical skills. My primary teaching philosophy in the ICU is that there are no “dumb questions” and learners should feel comfortable to ask any and all questions. By the end of the rotation, I want my learners to feel comfortable and confident in their ability to care for complex patients.
What is a fun fact about you or the site?
I have my black belt in mixed martial arts.