When it came time for students from 12 pharmacy schools across the state of California to compete in a clinical skills competition at the California Society of Health-System Pharmacists Seminar 2026 earlier this month, fourth-year pharmacy students Vi Nguyen and Patrick Sison stepped up to represent KGI.
Nguyen and Sison emerged as the winners of the competition, showcasing the skills and knowledge they’ve gathered during their time in KGI’s Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) program. Nguyen and Sison shared about preparing for the competition, what it felt like to win it, and what they would tell students considering KGI’s PharmD program.
Can you share about the competition and how you prepared for it?
Vi Nguyen (VN): The competition was quite intense and challenging. To prepare, I volunteered to help with OSCEs for the P3 students and reviewed previous ASHP National Clinical Skills Competition practice cases. These helped me better understand the grading criteria and how to maximize our points while improving my ability to prioritize and organize clinical recommendations efficiently. This was especially important since we only had two hours to work through a complex patient case involving multiple disease states.
Patrick Sison (PS): The Clinical Skills Competition was an incredibly intense and rewarding experience! We competed against pharmacy schools from across California, and it really tested the breadth of our clinical and pharmacological knowledge. Thankfully, our faculty had already established a strong foundation for us throughout the program, so our preparation focused on reviewing high-yield clinical topics, refreshing our pharmacotherapy knowledge, and staying up to date on current clinical guidelines.
What was it like to represent KGI and win the competition?
PS: It was such a privilege to be in the position to represent our school. I won't lie, I was absolutely stoked! It was very rewarding to see our hard work and collaboration come together to produce a great result. Being able to bring that back to KGI made it even more special. I’m extremely proud of my partner, Vi. I couldn’t have done it without her!
VN: It was truly an honor to represent KGI and win the competition. My teammate, Patrick, and I were ecstatic to make the top five and advance to the second round, so placing first among the 12 pharmacy schools competing across California came as a complete surprise. Leading up to the competition, I had moments of self-doubt, but Dr. [Quintin] Broussard, Dr. [Kanika] Bhandari, and Dr. [Talia] Puzantian were incredibly supportive and encouraged us to trust our clinical knowledge and judgment. I'm grateful for their encouragement and for this unforgettable experience, which reminded me how much I've grown and the importance of believing in my abilities.
How do you feel KGI has prepared you for your pharmacy career?
VN: KGI has helped me grow both personally and professionally. Throughout pharmacy school, I've learned how to better manage my priorities, adapt to challenges, and become more confident in my abilities. KGI has also helped me build a strong clinical foundation and develop the critical thinking skills needed to apply what I've learned in the classroom to real-life patient care. After graduation, I hope to pursue a PGY1 pharmacy residency to further strengthen my clinical skills and become a well-rounded clinical pharmacist.
PS: As a fourth-year student applying for residency this fall, I feel KGI has equipped me with the clinical knowledge, critical-thinking skills, and confidence needed to transition into professional practice. Through coursework, experiential rotations, and hands-on learning, I’ve learned how to apply clinical knowledge to real-world patient care, communicate effectively with the interprofessional team, and advocate for patients. My immediate goal is to pursue a PGY1 residency and build a career in hospital pharmacy, where I can continue developing as a clinician and contribute to improving patient outcomes.
What would you tell prospective pharmacy students considering KGI about the program and the institution as a whole?
PS: Keck Graduate Institute provides students with tremendous opportunities for both personal and professional growth while preparing them for their future careers. One of the things that sets KGI apart is its faculty. They are incredibly supportive, approachable, and genuinely invested in our success and professional development. I’m extremely grateful for the mentorship and support they’ve provided throughout my journey, and I most certainly wouldn’t be where I am today without them!
VN: I would encourage prospective students to make the most of their time at KGI while remembering to prioritize their academics. Pharmacy school can be challenging, and while it's important to get involved and explore different opportunities, don't feel pressured to do everything at the expense of feeling overwhelmed. One of the biggest lessons I've learned is the importance of finding your support system and surrounding yourself with genuine people who care about you and want to see you succeed. Having that support makes a huge difference during challenging times. At the end of the day, it's not about how many things you're involved in, but the experiences you gain and the relationships you build along the way.