2026 I.M.P.A.C.T. Awards Finalist
Sharon Lucas
MBA, CPhT, CPTEd
Pharmacy Technician Training Program Manager, UPMC.
U.S
Bio
I am the Pharmacy Technician Training Program Manager for the UPMC Health System. I am building, managing, and gaining ASHP/ACPE accreditation for the pharmacy technician training program used for all entry-level pharmacy technicians in the more than 50 pharmacies throughout the health system.
Her Impact Story
Over my 18-year career as a pharmacy technician, I’ve gained a breadth of knowledge and skills in many roles in many practice settings. While I’ve always been a helper, my desire to help has also grown throughout my career. Nothing feels more real or joyful to me than helping. Advancing the pharmacy technician career path and sharing my experience, knowledge and skills with developing pharmacy technicians fuels my spirit.
Measurable Results
- Obtained the CPTEd, the newest PTCB certification, in November 2025.
- Contributed to development of UPMC’s procedures and documents to comply with PA Act 140; serves as main point of contact for UPMC staff.
- Built and manages a state-registered pharmacy technician apprenticeship program — the first approved in PA since 2017, one of only two currently active in the state.
- Building and obtaining ASHP accreditation for the UPMC Pharmacy Technician Training Program, lowering barriers to employment through paid training.
- Contributed to the redesign of UPMC’s pharmacy technician career ladder, which debuted June 1, 2026.
- 2025 member of the ASHP Section of Pharmacy Practice Leaders, Workforce Resiliency and Sustainability Section Advisory Group.
- Moderated/facilitated two sessions each at ASHP Midyear 2025.
- Presented on imposter syndrome and conflict resolution for TPTS; led a TPTS workgroup creating profiles for 25 states’ technician practice requirements.
- Presented on resume/interview tips at the 2026 NPTA Student Summit.
- Published an article on conflict resolution in CPhT Connect (Vol. 5, Issue 2).
- Panelist on a statewide town hall on PA SBOP technician registration (Jan 2026) and on advanced technician roles at PSHP’s annual meeting (March 2026).
Quotes & Perspective
“
Personal Quote
“I am not just a pharmacy technician. I am a vital member of the healthcare team and so are you.”
What I.M.P.A.C.T. Means to Her
“‘Impact’ means the strength to expand boundaries, break ceilings, and shift perspectives. Pharmacy technicians have been working for decades to elevate the pharmacy technician profession and create advanced pharmacy technician roles. The impact of these years of work is clear in the U.S. Department of Labor and Industry statistics that show the pharmacy technician career path is one of the most rapidly growing careers in the country.”
What First Drew Her to This Work
“I always felt that I belonged in healthcare, but college was not an option for me right out of high school. I didn’t know that there were roles to work in healthcare without going to college, so I started working in the service industry. Fortunately, I applied to work as a cashier at CVS and the pharmacist offered me a pharmacy technician trainee position instead. This was the launching point for a career path that has added so much value to my life.”
A Moment She's Most Proud Of
“On July 23, 2026, the UPMC Pharmacy Technician Training Program celebrated our first graduate. I arranged all the details — a professional photographer, health system communications coverage, leadership attendance — and got to present him with his diploma. It was an honor to celebrate him!”
Advice for Other Pharmacy Technicians
“The best way to progress your career is to look for a need, create a solution, and offer to help implement the solution. This is how your predecessors created the advanced roles and career pathways that exist today.”
Key Takeaway
“Perseverance. I’ve been told ‘no’ or ‘you can’t’ so many times throughout my career. In the cases where I truly believe that I can, I find a way. If you truly believe you can, you will.”
Her Impact Story
Links to Feature
Voting is Open
Support Amanda Abernathy
in the 2026 I.M.P.A.C.T. Awards
Cast your vote, then join the LIVE Online Pharmacy Technician I.M.P.A.C.T. Awards Ceremony on RXTech Day, October 20, 2026.
Voting closes September 30, 2026