Rep lends a hand

Kerri Botsonis likes to help people, and she likes to stay busy. Since joining Milwaukee, WI-based Schwarz Pharma Inc.'s sales team two and a half years ago, she has been national Rep of the Year twice. Before that, she worked to put herself through school, then spent five years as a stay-at-home mom. During that time, in addition to caring for her family, she was involved with the Bridge – Children's Advocacy Center, which provides services for abused children, the March of Dimes, the American Diabetes Association Amarillo Chapter and the PTA, among others. Said Botsonis, "You always try to help, but there's only so much financial assistance you can give. So volunteering your time is a way to give back to the community and say thank you."

Now, as she works the long hours of a pharmaceutical representative, Botsonis still finds ways to stay involved. As president of the Amarillo Pharmaceutical Representative Association, she enjoys the opportunity to work with other reps to organize events, such as their upcoming golf tournament with doctors and pharmacists, and to raise money for children's charities. "Staying involved in trying to help people one way or another is just something I have to do."

For Botsonis, being a rep is just another way to accomplish that: She thinks of educating physicians about treatments as "a way to help the patients through the doctor," and her visits to downbeat doctors' offices as a way to cheer the staff. "Walking in there with a positive attitude, and the goal of having fun and spreading that ... you're like a breath of fresh air."