What first got you interested in your field of choice?

As a doctoral student in pharmacy, I aim to practice in a hospital setting and eventually move into healthcare education, preferably within the hospital. I will use the skills and efficiency gained through practice and my experiences to implement policy in the healthcare and hospital system. Alternatively, I am considering working within the college and university setting as an educator and administrator in Schools of Pharmacy. In these schools, the foundational roles of the practice of pharmacy regarding patient education and safety are introduced. At this level, I am able to properly educate future pharmacist on the importance of educating patients about their medications and how to properly handle them. I believe in the saying “be the change you want to see in the world.” As a pre-pharmacy student, I have seen, even within my own family, the effects of complacency in self-medication. Within the healthcare system, pharmacists should act not only as scientists and clinicians, but also as educators, advisors and patient advocates. Using my education as a PharmD, I can play a part in creating a better healthcare system and in fostering knowledgeable, medically literate patients, friends, and family.

What type of obstacles have you had to overcome on the road to getting your education?

After watching my father go through multiple hypoglycemic and hyperglycemic episodes and the passing of my aunt, I felt helpless. With a belly filled with fire, I started researching medications and decided to take health more seriously, not only for myself and community. Medicine is meant to heal. But, I have seen the effects it can have on someone’s health if abused or misused. According to U.S. government data cited by Consumer Reports, in 2014 nearly 1.3 million people sought emergency room treatment for adverse drug effects, and about 123,000 people died. This is an alarming statistic, and it is important that the public seek and find knowledge about medication abuse and addiction before it is too late. I am committed to educating people like my father and equipping them with the right information, so we can prevent sentinel events and prolong lives.

How did you know that KGI was the right school for you?

I had an amazing time during interview day and I was able to meet KGI professors.

Why did you want to become an Admissions Ambassador?

To get the opportunity to share my experience at KGI and encourage people of color to pursue pharmacy.