Jessica Dolinger to enhance pharmaceutical care at Veterinary Teaching Hospital
June 7, 2023
The Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine is excited to welcome Jessica Dolinger, the newest addition to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital.
As the pharmacy supervisor, Dolinger will oversee the day-to-day operations of the hospital's pharmacy and support clinical services. Her responsibilities include administrative decisions, prescription fulfillment for outpatient and inpatient services, and interdepartmental collaboration to improve processes and care.
Dolinger's journey into pharmacy was a result of encouragement and determination. Starting as a pharmacy technician, she was persuaded by a pharmacist mentor to pursue pharmacy school. While attending evening classes, she worked full-time and completed her prerequisites before earning her Doctor of Pharmacy degree at Wingate University in North Carolina in addition to a master’s in business administration with a concentration in healthcare.
“Working in a pharmacy appeals to me because it's such a necessary part of our lives. Typically when you are in a hospital setting, you're at your weakest, so it's nice to be that cornerstone and help people out,” said Dolinger.
Having previously served in leadership roles at the Western North Carolina VA Health Care System, including associate chief of pharmacy operations and pharmacy supervisor, Dolinger brings invaluable experience in managing pharmacy teams and ensuring smooth operations.
Joining the veterinary college allows Dolinger to combine her passion for pharmacy with her interest in veterinary medicine, so Dolinger's transition from human to veterinary pharmacy marks an exciting new chapter. She has embraced the differences between animal and human pharmaceutical practices, like weight-based dosing in veterinary medicine.
As a Giles County native, returning home and positively impacting her community was important to her.
Since joining the college, Dolinger has been impressed by the expertise and camaraderie of her colleagues. She said she looks forward to leading and collaborating with a highly skilled and dedicated team to provide the best pharmaceutical care for our animal patients.
