ASPIRING PHARMACISTS? COURTNEY: I would say do your research first. There are so many areas, not only in health care and in medicine, but pharmacy alone has so many different types of pharmacy. If you become a pharmacist, do your research on what area is most suited for you. Study what types of medications are in the hospital versus the community to see which ones you’re more interested in. You can also join organizations. Even if in school, there’s the American Pharmacists Association, and there is the Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy. So there’s a lot of information out there. Listen to podcasts (such as mine: 3 Friends TALK) where we talk about so many different, non-traditional roles in pharmacy that can help to broaden your aspect. But pharmacy can also be just the starting point, the foundation of what you want to become. WHAT DOES COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT MEAN TO YOU? COURTNEY: It really warms my heart; I am elated. I’m overwhelmed with joy to be in a position to give back because everyone has challenges. I’m very blessed, and I feel honored and humbled to be able to give back when I can. Being a part of this Mardi Gras organization is actually at the core of my principles and values that I have for myself. We are all about sisterhood and community service. Not only my Krewe, but two other Krewes in the Marrero area have really made it possible to bring back community service into that area where it was long ago. It warms my heart that I’m able to give back on many different platforms for many different communities, not only in New Orleans but in Atlanta as well. You know, we have to make it tangible not only for our immediate families but for the children who we’re giving back so they will then know the value of what they received. When they grow up, they’ll learn to give back as well so that we continue the cycle. QUICK Q’S Favorite date night…going out to eat Favorite food…gumbo Favorite holiday…Mardi Gras The first thing you do when you wake up in the morning…go into my powder room and splash water on my face
to those less fortunate. He’s also very in tune with his Christian values, so the really big principles that we strive on are family, friends, and so forth. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE THING TO DO AS A FAMILY? COURTNEY: I would say most recently: video games. I like to go with what my son is interested in at the time, and he’s interested in video games, so I show an interest in that. But it changes as my son changes with his interests and hobbies. I’m easy; I’m go-with-the-flow so we like to pick family activities. Besides traveling, we like the water parks; we like the outdoors stuff, but right now, it’s wintertime, so it’s the video games. HOW DO YOU MAINTAIN A WORK/ LIFE BALANCE? COURTNEY: I think it’s because I’m a Virgo, so I’m organized. I am all about calendars, schedules, and lists on top of lists. And I think because I’m involved in so much, that’s the only way I can get it all done; I like to be very structured. If there’s a wrench that’s thrown in there, I’m adaptable. I work my schedule around my family, so family becomes a priority. Family is always the priority. I think that if I were to do the opposite, I would lose sight of what the priority is, and then my family would be neglected. It’s all about prioritizing. And I think that helps me in business and at home. When I prioritize what needs to happen first, second, and third. And then if it doesn’t get done, I push it out. As long as family is first, I can get the rest done. DO YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE FOR OTHER PARENTS? COURTNEY: Give yourself grace. Be very patient with yourself. No one is going to know everything and get it done perfectly the first time. It’s about trial and error; as long as you’re doing your best and keeping your family first, your children’s well-being, safety, and health first and foremost, everything else will fall into place. There are going to be some hard days, so make sure to stay close with your support team. If you don’t have one, there are multiple parenting groups out there that can help you. Have an outlet for yourself and make sure to maintain self-care for yourself because if you are not centered and in good mental health, you are going to be no good to your children or to your family. You are doing a great job and tell yourself that every day. DO YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE FOR
s
in
n
s
hy or
m
e dy
y
y a
NOLAFAMILY.COM | FEBRUARY 2024 15
Made with FlippingBook - Online magazine maker