Few pharmacists can boast as wide a range of patients as Matt Brensel ’19, PharmD. Through his dual role as vice president and compounding pharmacist at ScriptWorks in Walnut Creek, he prepares medications for both humans and animals.

“I have a bit of a unique role in the pharmacy as my days can vary from day to day, ranging from researching new formulas to developing new marketing strategies for the business,” said Dr. Brensel.

Rooted in the traditions of early apothecaries, compounding has endured throughout the history of pharmacy as it enables pharmacists to tailor existing medications to meet individual patient needs. Today, compounding exemplifies patient-centered care and has a wide range of applications.

“A patient may have kidney issues so an oral nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, such as ibuprofen, may not be recommended to treat their knee arthritis,” he explains. “We can compound their medication into a cream the patient would apply directly onto the site of pain for a more localized effect, thus reducing the side effects.”

Veterinarians rely on the expertise of compounding pharmacists when treating animals of all types.

“Compounding prescriptions are essential for a lot of veterinary medications,” he said. “Due to the inherent differences in size, animals may require vastly different dosing. Compounding allows for the precise dosing that an animal may require in a form that is palatable to them. We can make most veterinary medications into a flavored liquid, tablet or chewable that animals see as a treat rather than medication.”

Dr. Brensel enjoys the challenges that are inherent to veterinary compounding.

“Different species have different physiology that makes them unique,” he said. “Antibiotics that are given to dogs may lead to death in a rabbit, so it is important to be constantly learning to ensure your patients, of all species, are well taken care of.”

In 2025, Dr. Brensel received the Professional Compounding Centers of America’s George Roentsch, RPh, New Innovator Award. The award was established in 2010 to recognize early-career pharmacists who advance the practice of compounding through creativity and collaboration. At ScriptWorks, Dr. Brensel has implemented new systems to improve workflow, accuracy and patient care while ensuring regulatory compliance. He is known by colleagues and peers for his innovative mindset and collaborative spirit.

Dr. Brensel credits Pacific with encouraging him to pursue a non-traditional pharmacist role.

“The Entrepreneurial Pharmacy Practice Program helped inspire me to follow in my family’s footsteps, as a third-generation pharmacist,” he said. “Going to Pacific has allowed me to create relationships with great people in the pharmacy world, such as my regional coordinator, Dr. Sachin Shah. He has served as a tremendous mentor for me since graduating.”

When he’s not compounding or implementing new business strategies, he enjoys playing golf or hiking in the hills of Walnut Creek with his dog, Hank.