Could you tell us a little bit about your early educational background?

I began my undergraduate education attending a local community college while I helped out my family for a couple years. From there I transferred to UCSB where I finished my Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry.

What first got you interested in the healthcare field as a career choice? There are a lot of career options in the field -nursing, physician assistant, etc., what made you decide that pharmacy was the right practice area/career choice for you?

The connections I make with others have largely influenced my personal and professional goals: to be a better friend, to be a better leader, and to be a better part of my community. Becoming a pharmacist gives me a lifetime of opportunities to continue building those connections and improving those aspects of my life. I want to build a life that allows me to grow more, give more, and be more.

What type of obstacles have you had to overcome on the road to getting your education and in particular in pursuing your PharmD degree? Was there any one thing that led you to decide, “this is definitely the right move for me”?

One of the hardest struggles I endured while pursuing the path towards my PharmD was fighting to attended UCSB. Due to personal circumstances I was not able to live near campus, but I was determined to make UCSB a possibility while at home. Without a car, I struggled with a 2-hour commute, one way, 5/6 days a week. As a transfer, I became involved in Circle K International, the largest intercollegiate service organization, and was the Membership Director of the Pre-Pharmacy Student Association where I hardened my resolve to pursue pharmacy.

Once you decided to pursue a PharmD degree, how did you know that KGI SPHS was the right school for you?

The KGI SPHS mission, vision, and goals aligned with all I hope to gain through my pursuit in a PharmD degree. I knew this school would be a perfect fit for me, especially after meeting many of the faculty and staff.

What are you most looking forward to about beginning your PharmD studies at KGI?

As a relatively new school I’m excited to grow along with it and see what direction it takes in the ever growing field of pharmacy. So far, I love the flipped classroom method of teaching and team based system. Not even two months in and I already feel like a part of a family (Shout out to Team 5, a.k.a Penichillin)

What setting do you see yourself working in eventually – in industry, community pharmacy, clinical, government agency, etc.? Why does that area of practice appeal to you?

I see myself eventually working in clinical pharmacy. While I am currently leaning towards ambulatory care, I hope to take advantage of the various opportunities KGI SPHS offers to explore different fields and ultimately determine what to specialize in.