Tu Hoang was studying psychology at UC Irvine when she learned the university would soon be founding the School of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences and establishing the Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) program.
“I was really happy when I found out UCI was opening a pharmacy school, and I was confident that the program would be great,” she said. “I chose UCI for pharmacy school because I trusted that I would be provided with an exceptional education that would prepare me to become a competent pharmacist.”
An interest in chemistry and a desire to help patients learn about the proper use of medication led Hoang to enrolling in the PharmD program. As a student pharmacist, she has studied geriatric populations with Dr. Jonathan Watanabe and researched gender disparity in cardiovascular disease with Dr. Aya Ozaki. During her first year in the program, she was a founding treasurer for the Student Society of Health-System Pharmacists chapter at UCI.
“My experience in the program has been great. I feel supported by the faculty and my peers and have grown academically and professionally,” she shared. “The pharmacy practice rotations gave me the opportunity to challenge myself by applying what I have learned into practice and gain a deeper understanding of the role of pharmacist in a multidisciplinary team.”
Soon, Hoang will earn her degree alongside her fellow student pharmacists as the inaugural Doctor of Pharmacy graduating class from the UCI School of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences. Following graduation, she is pursuing a PGY1 Pharmacy Residency at Antelope Valley Medical Center.
“Being a part of the inaugural class is something to be proud of. It has also been challenging and a learning experience. However, facing those challenges has helped me build a strong foundation,” she said. “My message for future student pharmacists at UCI is not to be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and explore all possible options to find what truly interests you in the field of pharmacy.”
