From Posts to Professional Impact: Reflections on Serving as an ACCP Social Media Influencer

Written by Kimmy Nguyen, PharmD, BCACP, BC-ADM, TTS

I never expected to become a pharmacy “influencer,” and if we are being honest, I am very much a micro-influencer. What began as a way to reinforce career prep pearls for my students gradually grew into something larger. When messages resonated beyond my classroom through likes, shares, or saves, I knew they were reaching learners who might need them. Social media became another way to meet learners where they are and reinforce professional lessons outside traditional settings.

Over time, social media became a space where education, creativity, and professional identity intersected. Being selected as a social media influencer for the ACCP Annual Meeting was both exciting and affirming, offering the opportunity to represent an organization that has shaped my professional growth. Through this experience, I saw how values-driven digital engagement can extend reach, strengthen connection, and increase visibility for pharmacy practice.

Social Media as a Professional Extension of Pharmacy Practice

As pharmacists, we are trained to communicate through peer-reviewed literature and conference presentations. Increasingly, discovery and engagement with these opportunities occur through digital platforms. Social media has become a modern entry point that shapes how and when learners, clinicians, and educators encounter organizations like ACCP.

Evidence supports social media as a professional tool in healthcare when used thoughtfully, with studies demonstrating its ability to disseminate medical knowledge, foster professional networking, and support continuing education.(1-4) Within pharmacy, social media has been shown to support professional identity development, engagement, and visibility of pharmacist-led initiatives across educational and practice settings.(5-7) During the ACCP Annual Meeting, social media extended conference experiences beyond physical attendance by highlighting sessions, advocacy efforts, PRN activities, and student involvement in real time.

Creativity, Authenticity, and Being Seen

My primary platform for this role was Instagram (@pharmpreprx), where I lean into visuals, storytelling, and creativity. Pharmacy is a science-driven profession, but it is also deeply human. Visual platforms allow us to showcase people, not just programs. LinkedIn served as a complementary space for professional-focused reflections and broader ACCP messaging.

One of the most meaningful moments occurred when student pharmacists approached me in person and shared that they recognized ACCP sessions and opportunities from my social media posts. It was not about recognition. It was reassurance that visibility works. Seeing familiar faces and experiences online can make professional spaces feel more accessible, particularly for learners who may feel out of place when surrounded by experienced pharmacists. Authentic, relatable content increases trust and engagement in healthcare communication. Exposure to professional organizations through social media can also lower perceived barriers to involvement for trainees.

Lessons Learned and Skills Gained Along the Way

Professional social media engagement develops a range of transferable skills that extend beyond digital platforms and support teaching, precepting, leadership, advocacy, and institutional communication within pharmacy (Figure 1). This experience reinforced several lessons applicable to PRNs, schools of pharmacy, residency programs, and individuals engaging with social media professionally.

1. Strategy and authenticity can coexist

Having themes such as advocacy and student engagement helps align messaging. Content resonates most when it reflects real experiences rather than polished promotion.

2. Visual storytelling is a transferable skill

Creating short-form videos and graphics strengthened skills in concise communication, audience targeting, and translating complex ideas quickly. These skills translate directly to teaching, precepting, and leadership roles.

3. Consistency is ideal, but reality happens

My posting has never been perfectly consistent due to the demands of academia, clinical practice, and life, and as an introvert, I can sometimes feel shy about frequent online engagement. Even so, intentional and thoughtful participation can still be impactful. These skills were recognized at my School of Pharmacy, where I have since taken on a larger role helping shape social media strategy and content.

4. Social media builds professional skills beyond the platform

This work strengthened project management, data interpretation, adaptability, and professional storytelling. These are competencies that extend far beyond social media.

Figure 1. Skills Developed Through Professional Social Media Engagement (click to enlarge)

Looking Ahead

Serving as an ACCP influencer reinforced that social media is not about chasing metrics or perfect posting schedules. It is about extending conversations, increasing visibility, and inviting others into professional spaces. For ACCP and its PRNs, digital engagement highlights the breadth of pharmacy practice. For learners and individual pharmacists, it offers a way to share experiences, build confidence, and contribute to a collective professional voice. Visibility in pharmacy matters now more than ever. If nothing else, this experience confirmed that pharmacists can be both evidence-based and creative, sometimes even in the same post.

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1. Chan WS, Leung AY. Use of social network sites for communication among health professionals: systematic review. J Med Internet Res. 2018 Mar 28;20(3):e117.

2. May CC, Mahle J, Harper D, Smetana KS. Pharmacy-based nursing education utilizing a social media platform. Crit Care Nurs Q. 2021 Oct-Dec 01;44(4):360-367.

3. Jain M, Sharma PK, Kamboj K, Shyam A. The impact of social media on medical education and health-care communication. J Orthop Case Rep. 2024 Sep;14(9):1-3.

4. Atallah S, Mansour H, Dimassi H, Kabbara WK. Impact of social media education on antimicrobial stewardship awareness among pharmacy, medical and nursing students and residents. BMC Med Educ. 2023 Jun 16;23(1):446.  

 5. Benetoli A, Chen TF, Aslani P. The use of social media in pharmacy practice and education. Res Social Adm Pharm. 2015 Jan-Feb;11(1):1-46.

 6. Chen E, DiVall M. Social media as an engagement tool for schools and colleges of pharmacy. Am J Pharm Educ. 2018 May;82(4):6562.

7. Prudencio J. Pharmacy students' perspectives of social media usage in education. Hawaii J Health Soc Welf. 2019 Sep;78(9):297-301. 

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Kimmy Nguyen PharmD, BCACP, BC-ADM, TTS

Associate Professor of Pharmacy Practice

Wilkes University Nesbitt School of Pharmacy

Ambulatory Care Clinical Pharmacy Specialist

Volunteers in Medicine

Wilkes-Barre, PA