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CV TEAM MEMBER SPOTLIGHT - A Calling to Care and Educate: The Path of Anastasia Ambruster

Growing up in Fulton, in the heart of central Missouri, Anastasia Ambruster found her first job at Sault's Drug Store, a locally owned pharmacy. "I started as a cashier and even made milkshakes before working in the pharmacy," she notes, "It wasn't clinical pharmacy, but it opened my eyes to how crucial pharmacists are in patient care." It was this early experience that sparked a passion that would guide her future.

After graduating from high school, she obtained a Doctor of Pharmacy degree from St. Louis College of Pharmacy. This was followed by rigorous training with a PGY-1 Pharmacy Practice Residency at West Virginia University Hospitals and a PGY-2 Internal Medicine Residency at St. Louis VA Medical Center. Anastasia's commitment to her field had been clear right from the start.

Today, Anastasia is a Professor of Pharmacy Practice at St. Louis College of Pharmacy at UHSP, with a clinical role at Missouri Baptist Medical Center in St Louis. Her days are a dynamic balance of teaching and patient care. "I spend about half my time teaching," she explains, "both in the classroom and with students completing clinical rotations in their final year. Her time in patient care is spent working with the Washington University Advanced Heart Failure team at Missouri Baptist Medical Center."

Her dedication to patient care is palpable. She's a regular presence on daily bedside rounds and in the outpatient setting, working tirelessly to improve the lives of those with heart failure. But her impact doesn't stop there. Dr. Anastasia is also deeply involved in training pharmacy residents, shaping the next generation of healthcare heroes.

A Calling to Care and Educate
What motivates her? "It's really two things," Anastasia notes. "Caring for patients and educating future pharmacists. I've been so lucky to have incredible mentors throughout my career, and I know how much of a difference they made. I hope to pay it forward."

That desire to mentor was fueled by her own experiences. While in pharmacy school, she worked at St. Mary’s Hospital, where she was inspired by clinical faculty who seamlessly integrated patient care and teaching. "That opened my eyes to a career path I didn't even know was possible at the time," she recalls. "And honestly, my students keep me on my toes! They motivate me to always be up to date, which is essential in medicine."

A Voice in the Field
Anastasia is also a respected voice in the American College of Cardiology (ACC). She credits the organization's inclusive environment for drawing her in. "I found the ACC to be very welcoming to CV team members, which isn't always the case with other organizations," she says.

Her involvement began in 2017 with the Emerging Faculty Leadership Academy, a program that provided key leadership training and networking opportunities. She went on to serve on the Joint Committee for Clinical Practice Guidelines, where she played a vital role in shaping the standards of care for cardiovascular professionals, including contributing as an author on the 2023 Atrial Fibrillation guidelines. She has always felt passionate about clinical practice guidelines and optimizing the process to provide cardiovascular professionals with up-to-date guidelines that are user friendly. 

For Anastasia, the ACC provides beneficial resources and a sense of community. "The education through publications and conferences is invaluable, " she says, "but it's the emphasis on including everyone on the CV team that really made the ACC my professional home."

Words of Wisdom
For those looking to follow in her footsteps of ACC engagement, Anastasia offers this advice: "Network! Let people know you're interested in getting involved. There's so much work to be done, and people are often looking for help." She highlights the several committee positions available at the ACC every year, and recommends applying again if someone does not get accepted the first time. She emphasizes the importance of local engagement, suggesting involvement with ACC state chapter. 

And for those with aspirations in academia, she highly recommends the ACC's Emerging Faculty Leadership Academy. "It opened so many doors for me, from presentations at the Annual Scientific sessions toro committee positions" she says.

When asked about her greatest accomplishment, Anastasia reflects, then says, "Professionally, I'd say reaching the rank of Professor. It represents years of dedication to teaching, clinical excellence, research, and service. It's a reflection of my commitment to the field of cardiovascular medicine and to mentoring the next generation of pharmacists."

Anastasia's journey has only just begun. With her passion for patient care, commitment to education, and drive to advance her field, she's sure to continue making a profound impact for years to come.

This article was developed by Vrinda Trivedi, MD FACC. Vrinda is a faculty at the University of Missouri Columbia and the Editor of MO ACC Connect.