Deacon Spotlight: Charity Wagenti
Charity Wagenti (2009, BS in Health and Exercise Science)
Manager for Pharmacy Procurement and 340B Program in Columbus, GA
Tell us about your current job role and employer. What are you currently working on?
My current job is to manage my local hospital’s 340B program, which is a program that stretches scarce federal resources to serve as many at-risk patients as possible. I am currently working on an internal audit to always ensure compliance with all government regulations.
What key personal and/or career experiences led you to where you are today?
I knew I wanted to work in healthcare from an early age after going on mission trips with my father to Jamaica for many summers. He is now a retired ophthalmologist. These experiences were invaluable in teaching me about helping others. The patients were so grateful and would bring fruit from their farms or anything they had for payment even though there was no charge for the services. I never forgot those experiences!
What is the most challenging aspect of your job? How do you navigate that challenge?
The most challenging aspect of my job is that 340B is constantly evolving with different changes in government regulations. I am involved in national conferences and stay current with listening to advocacy organizations’ podcasts and blogs.
What advice would you give to Wake Forest graduates about developing their personal life habits after college (finances, health, values, work/life balance)?
Personal habits for life after college are critical in order to thrive as a working adult. Prioritizing and staying on top of finances with issues like taxes or investments lead to success. It is also important to maintain healthy habits with nutrition and exercise habits by sticking with a routine. Work/ life balance is also critically important, as it is not wise to say yes to every opportunity. However, it is important to not miss valuable opportunities as well.
Values are so important, as it is critically important for these to be defined and for someone to always remain true to these regardless of circumstances. My faith has been a critical pillar for me throughout some of life’s most challenging moments.
We know that relationships are important for any kind of development. How do you build and maintain your network?
Relationships are critical to success in any role in life. I build and maintain my network by joining and being involved with professional pharmacy organizations and continuing relationships from all of my educational journey. I do enjoy attending professional conferences as well.
Tell us about your mentoring relationships. What impact have these relationships had on your career and life?
Mentoring is such an important aspect of life and I have been blessed with so many great mentors. Both of my parents have challenged me from a young age to never give up and to always give 100 percent to any task. I also have two sisters who have mentored and encouraged me in making good decisions in my life. Another mentor in my life is a friend I met while at Wake Forest who worked at Village Hair Designs who took me under her wing and guided me personally to stay on a good path while in college. I admire my husband greatly as a spiritual mentor as well.
I had an early work mentor who set me on a strong professional path through modeling her strong work ethic. Lastly, my boss, who retired last year, mentored me into my current role. There has been no one who has invested in me more professionally than she has, and I feel confident in my current career role due to all of her forty years of experience she poured into me before retirement and even now as well. These relationships impact you greatly, and these people hold a special place in your heart always.
What advice would you give to current Wake Forest students and/or young alumni who are interested in working in your industry?
I have really enjoyed my industry of pharmacy and am grateful for all of the different learning and growth opportunities that I have had within my field. I would encourage them to realize that there is more to pharmacy than only working at a big retail chain like CVS Pharmacy. They should be open to learning about varied opportunities like working in the hospital like me or doing research for a pharmaceutical company.
What’s next for your career? What future goals or plans are you pursuing?
I feel like the next step in my career is to keep learning. I would love to do 340B on a corporate or national level one day because I think it is such a valuable program that gives back to my community and helps so many who are unable to help themselves to health care.
Story published in April 2025.