Pharmacist Dads Series Part 4 of 4: Interview with Iqbal Atcha, RPh
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Each Friday in June 2022, I\\u2019m publishing an interview with a pharmacist dad in honor of Father\\u2019s Day, which was Sunday, June 19. This episode is an interview with Iqbal Atcha, RPh.\\xa0 During the first half of our conversation, we discussed how Iqbal uses his voice as a pharmacist.\\xa0 In the second half, we focused on Iqbal\\u2019s role as a Dad. \\xa0
Bio:
Iqbal Atcha is the Senior Consultant for Healthcare Talent Acquisition at Lean Human Capital, now a part of symplr. He provides advisory services for clients across the healthcare recruitment industry specializing in organizational analysis, resource allocation, process efficiency, technology and automation, and recruitment marketing.
Iqbal joined Lean Human Capital in January 2022. Prior to this, he served as the Director of Talent Acquisition Strategy for Anthem where he helped develop, align, and oversee TA strategies for 7 subsidiaries including Caremore Health, Beacon Health, and IngenioRx. Before Anthem, Iqbal was the Senior Manager of Talent Acquisition for Walmart\\u2019s Health & Wellness division where he led a team of 9 recruiters and led enterprise-wide initiatives centered around diversity and inclusion, continuous improvement, and workforce planning.
Iqbal received his Bachelor of Pharmacy degree from Midwestern University College of Pharmacy and a Master\\u2019s in Business Administration degree from Kennedy Western University. He is a certified recruiter through Recruiter Academy (RACR), a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR), and a 3-time Distinguished Toastmasters (DTM).
Thank you for listening to episode 158 of The Pharmacist\\u2019s Voice \\xae Podcast!
To read the full show notes, visit https://www.thepharmacistsvoice.com.\\xa0 Click on the podcast tab, and search for episode 158. \\xa0
Links from this episode
Podcast Website:\\xa0https://atchainternational.com/healthcare-and-higher-podcast/\\xa0
Healthcare and Higher Podcast with host Iqbal Atcha (Apple Podcasts Link)
Healthcare and Higher Podcast with host Iqbal Atcha (Google Podcasts Link)
Atcha International https://atchainternational.com\\xa0
LinkedIn (Company Page):\\xa0https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-healthcare-and-higher-podcast
LinkedIn (Personal Profile):\\xa0https://www.linkedin.com/in/iqbalatcha/
Instagram (Personal):\\xa0https://www.instagram.com/iqbalatcha1/
Twitter: (Personal):\\xa0https://twitter.com/IqbalAtcha1
Facebook (Fan Page):\\xa0https://www.facebook.com/healthcareandhigher
Pinterest (Board):\\xa0https://www.pinterest.com/iatcha/the-healthcare-and-higher-podcast/
The Business of Pharmacy Podcast \\u2122\\ufe0f website (Mike Koelzer\\u2019s podcast)
Midwestern University https://www.midwestern.edu\\xa0
Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science https://www.rosalindfranklin.edu\\xa0
Chicago State University https://www.csu.edu\\xa0
UIC (University of Illinois Chicago) https://www.uic.edu\\xa0
Toastmasters International https://www.toastmasters.org\\xa0
\\U0001f5a5Check out Kim\\u2019s websites, and connect with her on social media!
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\\u2705The Pharmacist\\u2019s Voice \\xae Podcast https://www.thepharmacistsvoice.com/podcast
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Highlights from our conversation
Iqbal has used his voice in a variety of ways as a pharmacist.\\xa0 He said, \\u201cIt\\u2019s been a mixed bag.\\u201d \\xa0
At first, Iqbal was an entrepreneur (opened independent pharmacies and did consulting work).\\xa0 For the past 15 years, his focus has been talent acquisition for healthcare companies. Two years ago (2020), Atcha International became the third step in Iqbal\\u2019s career.\\xa0 According to the website, Atcha International Consulting Group is an independently owned and operated consulting firm that provides a variety of professional and personal development services, like resume writing, cover letter writing, LinkedIn profile optimization, interview preparation, career coaching, job search strategy, leadership development, public speaking, and life coaching for men. \\xa0
Iqbal\\u2019s clients are mostly healthcare professionals and healthcare executives.\\xa0 He helps them rebrand themselves for career advancement opportunities and helps with leadership development.\\xa0 Iqbal frames a client\\u2019s messaging in a way that appeals to a HR talent acquisitions hiring manager.\\xa0 Among other things, he creates applicant-tracking-system-friendly resumes that highlight clients\\u2019 key skills in a chronological capacity with keywords that show achievements and accomplishments, not fluff words.
Over the years, Iqbal has mentored pharmacy students.\\xa0 He also taught and guest-lectured at a number of universities, including Midwestern University, Rosalind Franklin University, Chicago State University, and UIC.\\xa0
Have you ever heard of Toastmasters International? It\'s a nonprofit organization that helps individuals fine tune their communication and leadership skills. I am a current member.\\xa0 Iqbal was a long-time member.\\xa0 During his Toastmasters journey, Iqbal became confident using his voice and speaking to different audiences about topics that were near and dear to healthcare and pharmacists in general.
Iqbal helped pharmacy students in the Chicagoland area start Toastmasters chapters.\\xa0 Check out Toastmasters today to become a better public speaker and a better evaluator! Find a Toastmasters meeting by visiting https://www.toastmasters.org.\\xa0 Just click the \\u201cFind a Club\\u201d tab, and enter your address.
During the second half of our interview, our conversation focused on fatherhood and family. \\xa0
Iqbal is married with 3 adult children and 3 grandchildren.\\xa0 Everyone lives in or around the Chicagoland area.\\xa0 He has one son, one daughter, one step-daughter, two grandsons, and one granddaughter.\\xa0 Iqbal was a young dad.\\xa0 His son was born when he was a 20-year-old pharmacy student.\\xa0 His daughter was born when he was 24. Iqbal is also active in his aging parents\\u2019 lives.
Being a young dad and a pharmacy student was hard work.\\xa0 Iqbal talked about long, busy days during our conversation.\\xa0 He said it was worth it. \\xa0
We also discussed the following topics:
- Challenges of being a Dad
- Childcare
- Quality time
- Iqbal\\u2019s favorite parts of being a father
- Balancing work and family
- What Iqbal does for \\u201cme time\\u201d to recharge his batteries
- A surprising expense associated with raising children
- His favorite Avengers character
- General advice for current or prospective dads
Thank you Iqbal for being my guest on The Pharmacist\\u2019s Voice Podcast Episode 158!\\xa0
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