Meet 3 friends TALK Dr. Courtney, Dr. Leah, & Dr. Sylvia | Doctors of Pharmacy & Podcasters

We had the good fortune of connecting with 3 friends TALK Dr. Courtney, Dr. Leah, & Dr. Sylvia and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi 3 friends TALK, what do you attribute your success to?
Our friendship of 20 plus years definitely has been the most important factor behind the success of the 3 friends TALK brand. Attending and finishing pharmacy school together gave us the expertise to start our own podcast. 3 friends TALK is a weekly podcast featuring fun and authentic healthcare conversations, with a twist! From physical and mental health to creativity and culture, the show delivers unique stories and useful insights.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Armed with credentials and over 30 years of combined in-the-field experience, we are three pharmacists, working in non-traditional roles. We all completed undergraduate and pharmacy school at the prestigious Xavier University of Louisiana in New Orleans. Each of us followed different and distinct paths in regard to our practice settings and career choices. Taking risks and building relationships is how we were able to reach our professional goals and design the life that allows us to pour back into our communities as podcasters. Occasionally there are setbacks, as with anything else. Was it hard, yes, but with hard work it’s doable. The most important lessons we’ve learned while working together for our brand has been to trust each other and build off of each other’s strengths.

As one of the nation’s leading Pharmacists in Managed Care, Dr. Courtney Villere Jones is a Clinical Pharmacist, who is the Director of all Clinical Pharmacy Operations for a major Pharmacy Benefit Manager corporation in Atlanta, GA. With more than 15 years of experience, Courtney is passionate about improving her patients’ overall health and well-being. She is also a sought-after health consultant, mentor, motivational speaker, and podcaster.

Courtney was born and raised in New Orleans, LA. She received her diploma as Valedictorian from St. Mary’s Academy and then finished from Xavier University of LA with a Doctor of Pharmacy degree in 2004. After finishing her studies, she relocated to Atlanta to pursue her career. She spent the first 10 years of her pharmacy career in retail and hospital practice. In 2014, she began her clinical journey in Managed Care Pharmacy—the practice of developing and applying evidence-based medication use strategies to enhance health outcomes.

Courtney enjoys spending time with her family, dancing, traveling, and podcasting. She has joined a dance troupe in Atlanta and you can find her in at least 3 showcases a year with the Lady Diamonds Dance team. She is an active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Kappa Psi Pharmacy Fraternity, Inc., and Jack and Jill of America, Inc. Most of all, she enjoys podcasting on 3 friends TALK with her colleagues, Dr. Leah and Dr. Sylvia.

Dr. Leah J. Miller is a clinical pharmacist with more than 15 years of experience in the field of specialty pharmacy services. Upon completion of her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from Xavier University College of Pharmacy in New Orleans, LA, Dr. Leah returned to Memphis, TN to serve in her hometown community. She has been an integral team member at one of the country’s first specialty pharmacies, serving in capacities such as staff fulfillment pharmacist, drug file pharmacist, and pharma purchasing and contracts pharmacist. Dr. Leah currently works within the supply chain division of one of the country’s largest home delivery pharmacies, as the only specialty pharmacist within that department. She manages daily drug file activities and is one of the pharmacist leads for new drug add process and implementation.

Giving back to the community is a priority for Dr. Leah. As an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., and other organizations including the Memphis area National Pharmaceutical Association. Dr. Leah is the devoted mother to her 15 year old son Jaylon. She is a new dog mom to her Goldendoodle, T’Challa. She enjoys volunteering with her son, traveling with family and friends, eating good food, and podcasting. Following her passions for exploring new places and love of libations, Dr. Leah runs a home based travel business, and is a licensed libationist who enjoys creating and serving craft cocktails.

Dr. Sylvia Perry is a nationally recognized pharmacist, two-time best-selling author, speaker, and consultant specializing in pharmacy implementation and administration. Through her consulting programs, Dr. Sylvia builds profitable pharmacies by helping pharmacy owners enhance their offerings and expand their reach to serve more patients. She is the founder of PharmD Consultants of Texas, which provides consultant pharmacists throughout the state.

Along with her brother and father, Dr. Sylvia is a historically Black university graduate, earning her Doctor of Pharmacy from the renowned Xavier University of Louisiana. In 2018, she was honored for her work as part of the 40 under 40 Young Alumni Awards. She credits her HBCU experience for molding her into a servant leader and forming her can-do attitude.

Dr. Sylvia is passionate about public health, advocating for equal access to care, reducing the whitecoat stigma and health disparities in the Black community, personal health and wellness, and serving the elderly. She helps busy caregivers become the best caregivers for themselves and others through her video series, books, products, and services. Dr. Sylvia resides in her hometown of Dallas, Texas. With her expertise and experience, it is no wonder that Dr. Sylvia is known as “The Pharmacy Strategist.”

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
A typical day in the lives of 3 friends TALK in ATL….

So Dr. Courtney is our Atlanta resident out of the crew. When Dr. Leah and Dr. Sylvia visit she would start with a brunch outing at Milk and Honey. Then we’d enjoy retail therapy at Ponce City Market (she loves the rooftop carnival!) and a walk on the Beltline for fresh air and a little bit of local Atlanta scenery. A late lunch at Neyows of Atlanta, enjoying New Orleans style cuisine, where we’d sit on the rooftop with views of the Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
All the while, reminiscing about our days at Xavier University. After a nap (ha!) we would visit Black Coffee Company, managed by our Xavier alumni friends, and listen to jazz and spoken word. Dinner reservations would send us to Poor Calvins to enjoy lobster fried rice and cocktails. As you can see, we are definitely foodies! Food has always been our #1 bonding mechanism.

We would dedicate a day of self care into the itinerary with a spa date (Jeju Sauna & Spa) , and a night of fun and games (Battle and Brew). More cocktails and conversation would be incorporated at The Linnethia Lounge.

We don’t require much as far as a daily outing… for the remainder of the week we’d probably lounge in our club level suite at the Westin in Buckhead. Relaxing (with room service!), brainstorming, and catching up with each other would be the perfect end to time spent together in Atlanta.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Dr. Nii Darko, DO, trauma surgeon and veteran podcast host of Docs Outside the Box podcast, deserves a shoutout, as our mentor and podcast coach. He has always been so encouraging and stretched us to go above and beyond the limits we initially placed on ourselves.

Website: https://3friendstalk.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/3friendstalk/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/3friendstalk

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/3friendsTALK/

Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCgcsvd-U2dyTqSM2xesiBAA

Other: www.knowyourpharmacist.org www.tiktok.com/@3friendstalk

Image Credits
Sylvia Lee Photography