“I’ve always been passionate about healthcare and the impact of medication therapy on patient outcomes, influenced by my upbringing in a family that practiced Eastern medicine and traditional herbal therapies,” said Lily To, a student pharmacist who will graduate in May 2025 as part of the inaugural Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) class in the UC Irvine School of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences.
“This early exposure sparked my interest in pharmacy and guided my path. I chose UCI because of its innovative approach to pharmacy education and its alignment with my long-term career goals. My primary interests are acute care, critical care, and emergency medicine,” she shared. “I have thoroughly enjoyed my time spent on rotations in the intensive care unit and emergency department and hope to continue optimizing patient care outcomes in these fields.”
In addition to her studies and rotations, To has served as the secretary for student government at UCI and the Student Society of Health-System Pharmacists (SSHP). She also served as a regional liaison between the student and Orange County chapters of the California Society of Health-System Pharmacists (CSHP) and competed in the organization’s Seminar Clinical Skills Competition (CSC).
“I was proud to represent UCI alongside my friend and colleague, Sara Ali, at the state and national level of the CSHP Seminar Clinical Skills Competition for three consecutive years,” she said. “This competition was designed to assess problem solving skills and apply knowledge of pathophysiology, pharmacokinetics, and clinical laboratory data when looking at complex patient cases. During the 2023 seminar, we advanced to the final round and placed fifth out of 14 California pharmacy schools.”
To shared that she is looking forward to graduating and advancing to the next stage of her career. In the fall, she will begin a residency at UCI Medical Center.
“Being a part of the inaugural class has given me and my peers the unique opportunity to help shape the program, build traditions, and create a supportive culture for future students,” she stated. “I’ve been surrounded by amazing faculty and classmates who are committed to innovation and excellence. I am excited to see how the program grows.”
