Cedric Nettey, Pharmacy Manager
My CVS Health career has been one defined by growth. After joining the inaugural class of PGY1 Community-Based Pharmacy Residency Program, I transitioned into a leadership position and then was promoted twice within one year. Today, I’m a Pharmacy Manager, but for me, growth has always been more than a title. In my role as Pharmacy Manager, I’m focused on the things that drew me into community pharmacy in the first place: direct patient care and helping people better understand their health. Pharmacists play an essential role in closing health care gaps. Patients are often trying to navigate several parts of the healthcare system at once. I want to help make that experience clearer and easier for patients as a pharmacist.
“Patients are often trying to navigate several parts of the healthcare system at once. I want to help make that experience clearer and easier for patients as a pharmacist.”
Before joining CVS Health, I was pursuing other paths within pharmacy, including hospital-based experiences in the ICU, ER, and internal medicine. My last rotation was with community pharmacy because it was the one I was least interested in. However, it was during my rotation that things clicked. I realized how meaningful and impactful it felt to work directly with patients, to build trust over time, and be a key part of the community. That experience shifted my perspective of community pharmacy and led me here.
“I realized how meaningful and impactful it felt to work directly with patients, to build trust over time, and be a key part of the community. That experience shifted my perspective of community pharmacy and led me here.”
What stood out to me about CVS Health was the breadth of care the organization delivers. Far beyond the traditional pharmacy bench, CVS Health has services and teams working together to support patients across different stages and types of care. From pharmacy benefits and primary care to the MinuteClinic and Oak Street Health, CVS Health is an industry leader committed to meeting people where they are on their health care journey. I wanted to be part of a company that supports patients and the community in so many ways. CVS Health was a no brainer for me.
“I wanted to be part of a company that supports patients and the community in so many ways. CVS Health was a no brainer for me.”
As I’ve grown in my role, so has my passion about expanding the role pharmacists can play in direct patient care, like more education, point-of-care support, and broader clinical services. Helping other pharmacists reimagine what community pharmacy could look like can be challenging at times. Shifting minds can take time and I’ve learned it requires patience, collaboration, and willingness to keep having the conversation. It also helps that my leaders encourage me to speak up, share ideas, and push for progress. Having that kind of support has shaped how I lead my team. I’m encouraged in my belief that when people are open to learning from one another, we can move the needle on traditional ways of thinking and push innovation forward.
One of the principles I hold is simple: knowledge only matters when it’s shared. Teaching and sharing what you know is one of the most meaningful ways to serve others. It’s a mindset that guides the way I counsel patients and how I lead my team. I thoroughly enjoy precepting students and mentoring interns because I love helping future pharmacists grow and build a strong future for community care. Our work as pharmacists is to help make the health care process simpler to understand and safer to act on. Patients often leave appointments and are expected to navigate complex instructions and treatment plans on their own. Through counseling, education, and everyday conversations, I can help patients feel more confident in their care. It’s a powerful reminder of the meaningful impact we can have as pharmacists just by listening and sharing our knowledge.
“It’s a powerful reminder of the meaningful impact we can have as pharmacists just by listening and sharing our knowledge.”
When people think of pharmacy, they often think it’s only filling prescriptions and may be surprised to hear how much direct patient interaction happens in this role. On any given day I can have hundreds of touchpoints with patients—through counseling, phone calls, speaking with providers, and ongoing conversations with staff. Over time, these moments add up to something bigger: trusted relationships within the community. I never take for granted the impact I can have on improving someone’s experience and health outcomes just by taking the time to listen and problem-solve.
For anyone considering a future at CVS Health, the growth opportunities are what make this organization stand out. You’ll find leaders that give you the space to think independently, continually learn, and bring new ideas forward. Whether you want to grow in community pharmacy or explore new areas of health care, there are stretch assignments, flexible paths, and the support you need to build a career that keeps evolving.
“Whether you want to grow in community pharmacy or explore new areas of health care, there are stretch assignments, flexible paths, and the support you need to build a career that keeps evolving.”
Every member of #TeamCVS contributes to a greater sense of purpose. If you’re looking for a workplace that values compassion, embraces challenges, and champions career growth, then CVS Health is the place for you. Join us in building careers, strengthening communities, and redefining what health care can be.
Use our AI to tailor your resume for this Building a Community Pharmacy Career with Purpose at CVS Health position at CVS Health.