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

Bachelor of Science in Biology from Syracuse University in 2012.

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?

Being a pharmacist gives me the opportunity to be a healthcare advocate in various settings, whether it may be industry or retail pharmacy.

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 major obstacle I have faced was moving to upstate New York for my undergraduate education, a move that not only challenged my time management skills, but also helped me grow as an individual. As an undergraduate student, I had been involved in various health care related projects in order to better acclimate myself with my peers with similar interests, and in doing so had learned that the the bond between healthcare professional and patient is a lot more than just a consultation from time to time.

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

Being from Southern California, I knew that I wanted to stay somewhat local. When I had learned of KGI’s innovative curriculum, focusing on team based learning and practical experience, I knew that this institution was the right fit for me.

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

I am most excited to start my industry shadowing experience during my P1 year. I am intrigued by the various opportunities industrial pharmacy has to offer.

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?

Initially, I envisioned myself working in a community pharmacy, however since attending KGI and finding out about the numerous industry related opportunities they present to students, I have become open to the industrial pharmacist career.