Pharmacy: A Journey of Discovery, Purpose, and Passion

Posted on August 23, 2026

Why did I become a pharmacist? Well, I was always interested in healthcare and science, and I was a good student throughout my school years. Naturally, I assumed I would go to medical school. However, during my senior year at Penn State, I realized that I wasn’t drawn to the type of direct patient care associated with being a physician. That realization made me reconsider my plans, and I began exploring alternative careers in science and healthcare.

In 1998, while at Penn State, I was a member of an organization called Minorities in Science and Technology, or M.I.S.T. Many of us were biology or behavioral health majors whose original plans to become physicians had changed for one reason or another. We were preparing to graduate with bachelor’s degrees in the life or social sciences, but many of us weren’t sure what our next steps would be.

As part of M.I.S.T., each member was assigned a health science career to research and present at a group meeting as a potential alternative career.

Guess what profession I was assigned?

Pharmacy!

That assignment introduced me to the Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree and, more importantly, to the evolving role of pharmacists as members of the healthcare team. I learned that pharmacists use their expertise in medications, pharmacology, and disease management to help optimize therapy and improve patient care.

It immediately clicked for me.

Pharmacy would allow me to study the sciences I loved, work in healthcare, learn about diseases and medications, and make a meaningful difference in patients’ lives --- all while using my strengths in science and problem-solving in a way that felt like a better fit for me.

That discovery ultimately led me to pursue my PharmD and begin a career that has given me various opportunities to use my knowledge and expertise to help others. Much of my career has focused on optimizing medication regimens and helping patients get the most benefit from their medications.

Today, my career has evolved. I now have the opportunity to educate and mentor future healthcare professionals, helping them strengthen their knowledge, build confidence, and prepare for pharmacy-related exams.

In many ways, my career has come full circle. What began as an unexpected assignment in college introduced me to a profession I had never seriously considered --- and ultimately led me to a career that continues to give me new ways to teach, serve, and make a difference. I may not have known where my journey would lead when I chose pharmacy, but I found in it a career that continues to challenge me, inspire me, and give my work purpose.

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