Q: What year are you in the PharmD program at UCI?

I am currently a first-year student pharmacist in the UCI PharmD program.

Q: Why did you choose to pursue your Doctorate of Pharmacy degree at UCI?

While I was pursuing my undergraduate degree at UCLA, I was heavily involved with the school’s Pre-Pharmacy Society. I both organized and observed many speaker presentations; we invited many representatives from pharmacy schools throughout California to provide information sessions about their respective programs.

In my third year, I served as president of the organization. This was the year UCI was recruiting its inaugural PharmD class, and I had the pleasure of helping host an information session over Zoom and inviting Dr. Megan Nguyen and Ms. Hetty Ha to speak with our students for the first time.

I remember being extremely impressed by not only the strength boasted by the program, but also the positive attitude that was embodied by the students and faculty I encountered. It was clear to me that many individuals had invested time and effort into assuring the quality of the program, and in turn created a passionate board of faculty and educators that would be committed to our learning.

Additionally, with so many distinguished alumni hailing from UCI’s pre-pharmacy undergraduate program, I could not help but feel assured that the new graduate program would be nothing short of exceptional.

Q: What do you enjoy most about the PharmD program thus far?

The last two quarters, I have enjoyed having the opportunity to serve as a representative on the Admissions and Recruitment committee with two members of my class and two members of the PY2 class. This has been such a great introduction to student leadership at UCI and I especially loved having the opportunity to communicate with potential students and share my own experiences with them. I think it has been a great way to give back to the program and demonstrate that same passion and enthusiasm that drew me to the program in the first place.

Since this committee also works in proximity with the class cabinet, I have also enjoyed attending their meetings and working with them as well.  In general, one of the best experiences of the program has been working alongside my classmates. Because we have such a small class size, it has been easy to get to know everyone in such a short amount of time; my classmates are extremely hardworking and selfless individuals and I feel very inspired when I observe their activities and work.

Q: How has your experience in the PharmD program at UCI contributed to your growth?

The last two quarters, I have enjoyed having the opportunity to serve as a representative on the Admissions and Recruitment committee with two members of my class and two members of the PY2 class. This has been such a great introduction to student leadership at UCI and I especially loved having the opportunity to communicate with potential students and share my own experiences with them. I think it has been a great way to give back to the program and demonstrate that same passion and enthusiasm that drew me to the program in the first place.

I feel that I have grown in a tangible way in just the short amount of time I’ve spent at UCI. Pursuing my PharmD at UCI has greatly shaped my viewpoint on education. The PharmD program provides so many hands-on learning activities, such as critical care simulations and patient consultation exams, which has helped me feel more confident and better prepared for the future cases I will encounter throughout my professional career.

My self-confidence has improved tremendously. At the beginning of my first quarter, I felt so nervous for any type of oral exam, especially those that involved communicating with patients. Now, I feel extremely grateful that UCI provides so many opportunities to hone my communication skills, even if it pushes me out of my comfort zone. Now, I get excited to talk with patients and apply my newfound knowledge when I work on the weekends.

Q: What do you hope to do after earning your PharmD?

I can see myself working in a variety of different settings. I’m not committed to one type of specialty or practice yet. However, I am sure I want to center my practice on strong communication, compassion, and advocacy.

I think the greatest opportunity that comes with earning this degree is the ability to synthesize your clinical knowledge with a personal passion, such as serving underrepresented communities or even social activism.

Regardless of what pharmacy setting I find myself in, I think there are always many opportunities to exercise that privilege and I want to build trusting relationships between myself and my patients so I can serve them properly.