And just like that it's the first day of the spring 2024 semester.
We caught up with P1 Pharm.D. students Thomas, Seun, Marissa, Kayla, Kimberly, Paul and Princy to see how first year is going one semester in, what makes them excited about Texas Pharmacy and becoming a future Longhorn pharmacist and how they unwind after a long day of classes and studying.
Thomas Joseph Peña
Hometown: Brownsville, Texas
Education: Pre-Pharmacy, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
What impact do you want to have in healthcare/pharmacy and/or the community?
Growing up in a low-income community has shaped my perspective and fueled my passion for making a positive impact in healthcare and my community. My personal experiences have shown me the stark disparities in access to healthcare resources and the challenges faced by underserved populations.
In the field of healthcare or pharmacy, I aspire to contribute by advocating for equitable access to quality healthcare services and medications. I want to work toward breaking down barriers that prevent individuals in low-income communities from receiving the care they deserve. This may involve working in underserved areas, participating in community outreach programs through our student organizations or even pursuing initiatives to reduce medication costs and improve medication adherence.
Beyond my professional endeavors, I also aim to give back to my community directly. Whether it's through mentorship programs, volunteering at local clinics or supporting initiatives that promote education and health awareness, I want to be a catalyst for positive change in my community.
Overall, my goal is to leverage my background and education to create a lasting impact on both healthcare/pharmacy and the community, striving for a future where everyone, regardless of their socio-economic status, has equal access to healthcare resources and opportunities for a healthier life.
Are there any other family members pursuing and/or practicing pharmacy?
My older brother, Ricardo Peña, is in his third year of pharmacy school here at The University of Texas at Austin College of Pharmacy. He is now primarily located in the San Antonio area as he was assigned there for his regional assignment.
Who’s your hero?
I consider my grandmother my hero because of her incredible strength of character and unwavering positivity in the face of adversity. Despite enduring numerous diseases and health challenges, she personifies courage and an unshakable spirit. Her ability to maintain a positive outlook on life, despite undergoing and living with the complications precipitated by kidney failure, heart failure, numerous surgeries, type 2 diabetes and breast cancer, has not only inspired me but also taught me the invaluable lesson of facing life's trials with grace and determination. My grandma's strength and her ability to find joy in even the toughest of times make her my hero and a source of inspiration in my life.
Do you have a side passion or hobby that you enjoy or unwind to when not studying?
When I'm not studying, I find great joy in physical activities like weight training and playing basketball. Engaging in sports and exercise not only helps me stay physically fit but also serves as a fantastic way to de-stress and clear my mind. It's my way of staying healthy, both mentally and physically, while pursuing a passion I truly love.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
To "embrace change." Change is a constant in life, and rather than resisting it, I've learned that it's often more productive and fulfilling to adapt and grow with it. This advice has taught me to be more open-minded, resilient and willing to step out of my comfort zone, which has led to many new friendships and the opportunity to attend Texas Pharmacy. It's a reminder that change can bring new opportunities and experiences that I may have never discovered if I clung to the familiar.
Seun Lagbenro
Hometown: Houston, Texas
Education: B.S. in Biology, University of Houston
What impact do you want to have in healthcare/pharmacy and/or the community?
The main impact I want to have in the community is to be available. As someone who will be well informed about the medications people take and preventative measures to improve health outcomes, I want to make sure that I am available to pass that knowledge on to as many people as I can. I want to stop the problem from happening rather than taking care of it while it's there.
Why did you choose the UT Austin College of Pharmacy?
The interactions with my classmates during Admitted Students Day. The vibe and energy of my current classmates was unmatched compared to any other school I visited. After Admitted Students Day, everyone traded socials and the group chat remained lighthearted up until school started.
Who’s your hero?
My heroes are my sisters. I have two older sisters who are also in healthcare. We do not have other family members or friends involved in healthcare, so the resources and opportunities were limited. Because of this, I had to watch them figure everything out on their own. They pushed through and made it to the places they wanted to be. This has been my inspiration throughout my journey in pharmacy school.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
The best advice I have received is to go for it. If there is anything I want to do, anything I desire or dream of, I should just aim for it. There is no reason to doubt one’s capabilities or grit if you really want something.
Do you have a side passion or hobby that you enjoy or unwind to when not studying?
I really enjoy spending time with my friends and family. Studying can at times cause me to interact less with friends and family, so I try to make up for that when I am not studying. I also enjoy traveling. I have recently been to Chicago, Las Vegas and Los Angeles and plan to visit more major cities.
Marissa (Riss) Johnson
Hometown: Montgomery, Texas
Education: B.S. in Biomedical Science and B.S. Biomed Research and Development from Texas A&M University
What impact do you want to have in healthcare/pharmacy and/or the community?
When someone is passionate, their ambition to accomplish their goals empowers success. With big aspirations, I aim to find a cure for stroke. Many illnesses and diseases are overlooked; however, stroke rarely falls in this category because research has found that approximately 72% of stroke victims survive. While stroke is not necessarily ignored on a large scale, the lack of research and advocacy for stroke survivors suffering from the adverse factors of stroke is minimal. It is unacceptable that we, as medical personnel, settle for only a “livable life.” There is an immense difference between a livable life and a life worth living. I will strive to give a voice to these people and instead of setting for a livable life after a stroke, I will conduct research on how to provide patients not only a livable life but a quality of life that parallels their previous state before a stroke.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
If something is in your control and you can do something to change it, do it. If something is out of your control and there is nothing you can do to change it, don’t spend countless hours worrying. Life is too short to spend it agonizing about things we cannot control.
Do you have a side passion or hobby that you enjoy or unwind to when not studying?
Since moving to Austin, some of my friends and I have been attending trivia nights. It’s a fun way to see what we know and they give out prizes for first, second and third place!
If you had a warning or advisory label, what would it say?
"Will most likely choose her dog over you."
Kayla Mendoza
Hometown: Harlingen, Texas
Education: Pre-Pharmacy, UT Austin
What impact do you want to have in healthcare/pharmacy and/or the community?
Medication has impacted my personal life so much that now my life goals revolve in helping others. My goal is to empower people to be the strongest and healthiest version of themselves.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
The obstacle is the opportunity.
Do you have a side passion or hobby that you enjoy or unwind to when not studying?
I love the startup and entrepreneurship scene. I have always loved fashion and tech and was able to join those interests when I started my own women’s fashion tech company. What drove me was how fashion could be more than just clothes but actually help change the way you feel. The best days were when someone tried something on and it made them glow and feel empowered. I knew that I wanted to spread that feeling so I applied to be part of the Jon Brumley Texas Venture Labs in the McCombs School of Business. I was able to grow and learn while leading a team of graduate students to do research to test our product, AI components for a semester and pitch to an audience of Angel Investors. When COVID-19 hit, that took a toll on my business but still yearning for that entrepreneurship buzz, I hyper focused that energy to build and create an e-learning platform for preschool aged children to help struggling parents.
In my down time I scratched off an item off my bucket list which was to write, publish and sell my very first bilingual children’s book, Andrés y su Alebrije. I encourage anyone to read this to follow their passions. I leave you with my mantra that fuels me in the lowest of lows "Live on and love always."
I love running, for movement is my medicine. I also love reselling my closet!
Anything else you would like to share about you that’s not listed here?
I have a husband and two beautiful children, a boy and girl that are fueling me through this journey. I am a non-traditional student but the only way that I can do this is by 1. Believing in myself, 2. Surrounding myself with people that believe in me while removing myself from those that do not and 3. Lastly, it’s never too late to reinvent yourself the more you do it the more fearless you become.
Kimberly Cuellar
Hometown: Los Fresnos, Texas
Education: B.S. in Art in Nutrition, UT Austin
What excites you most about the future of healthcare/pharmacy?
My vision for the future of pharmacy starts with understanding the importance of being a patient-centered field. Our patients' greatest possible healthcare experience is our top priority. From my perspective, COVID changed the function of pharmacies and pharmacists due to the pervasiveness and integration of technology. By offering telehealth and digital technology, we were able to lessen the risk of community spread. This adjustment was how pharmacies were able to offer the greatest patient care. After three years, this virtual technology is still used today and that excites me about the future of pharmacy.
What impact do you want to have in healthcare/pharmacy and/or the community?
I want to be a beacon of hope for my patients as a future pharmacist. I want to go above and beyond to ensure that my patient feels heard and understood. I don't just want to do my job and go through the motions. The possibility that my patients may feel hopeless is significant given that I will be one of their final stops on their health journey, but I want to give them hope. I want to demonstrate to them that they can still live full lives because to the wonderful invention of medicine.
The image of two candles comes to my mind. One for myself and one for each of my patients. I imagine mine being lit and my patients being out. By being the light for my patient, I will put my candle wick next to theirs to relight it. This will allow me to serve and meet their needs, which is what I hope to do when I become a healthcare provider.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
Be a "there you are" person and not a "here I am" person. This advice has really changed my heart to be one of service. I ask myself every morning, "Who can I lead and love well today?" I ask myself this question because I find so much joy in speaking life into people or simply just being a shoulder to lean on. Having this advice as my foundation makes me excited to serve my patients when I am a pharmacist.
What’s on your bucket list to do while in Austin these four years? What’s #1?
Austin is a very outdoors-friendly city. Within my four years here, I would love to participate in a city race. I enjoy running so much and can see myself running a 10K or a half marathon! I find the city so beautiful to run in and the residents to be so motivating. Who's up for joining me? I can't guarantee it will be fun in the moment, but it will be rewarding! It's amazing how you can accomplish incredible things when you set your mind to it.
Do you have a side passion or hobby that you enjoy or unwind to when not studying?
When I'm not studying, I'm outdoors on a walk or run. Being outdoors is a great way for me to clear my mind and admire what's around me. I especially love being outside for sunrises and sunsets. It's one of my favorite ways to re-center myself. Sometimes I will bring my guitar with me to play some tunes.
If you had warning or advisory label, what would it say?
"Easily distracted by dogs." I will drop what I'm doing to admire a doggy and ask the owner to pet it. I love dogs so much and can't pass up a chance to pet one!
Paul Millet
Hometown: New Brunswick, New Jersey
Education: Concordia University B.Sc. (2014), Rush University M.S. MLS ASCP (2022).
What excites you most about the future of healthcare/pharmacy?
As a Medical Lab Scientist, what excites me the most about the future of healthcare and pharmacy is the advance in individualized care. For example, in the lab, diagnostic testing is allowing for metabolic conditions and enzymatic defects to be detected. The treatment for a diversity of genetic diseases will require unique drugs and monitoring of these therapies on an individual basis. As a pharmacist, I hope to be closely involved with patients receiving such tailor-made therapies.
Who’s your hero?
I have many, but one personal hero is my aunt. She would radiate joy despite struggling from a terminal illness. Her positivity was always infectious, no pun intended, and gave a sense of hope even in her darkest times. Her story still very much inspires me to face and overcome adversity with positivity and gratitude.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
I got this advice from an old supervisor of mine, at a time when I was struggling to better my life. His motto was: "You can never fail; you can only learn and grow." This helped shift my perspective and strengthen my resilience, especially when it came to encountering failure. It took me several application cycles before matriculating and I can tell you that every year my application got better. So don't give up! I keep an open mind by realizing that it's okay to fail. As a matter of fact, I now get excited when I fail, because it means I have more to learn!
Do you have a side passion or hobby that you enjoy or unwind to when not studying?
I love to garden. Plants do so much for our personal health and I enjoy the reciprocal relationship between plants and people; if you tend to your garden, your garden will tend to you.
Princy Patel
Hometown: Chandler, Arizona
Education: Bachelor of Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences from Charotar University of Science and Technology
What excites you most about the future of healthcare/pharmacy?
The United States stands at the forefront of medical breakthroughs. Our institutions and corporations are leading the charge in pioneering treatments for ailments like cancer and Alzheimer's, once deemed untreatable. The rise of digital tools and advanced technologies empowers physicians and pharmacists to share information, make diagnoses and offer remedies like never before. The bond between patients and their healthcare providers has reached an unprecedented closeness in our current era. However, the most thrilling aspect for me is the future trajectory. We all envision a world free of diseases, and given the progress we're witnessing, I believe that vision might become a reality within our lifetimes.
What impact do you want to have in healthcare/pharmacy and/or the community?
I come from a humble farming family back in India. In my village, I’ve witnessed a lot of people struggling with health issues and a lack of medical treatment and facilities. The nearest clinic was towns away and the nearest hospital was 2-3 hours away. I want to change that. Basic medical treatment should be made available for everyone. I want to provide that for people who are less fortunate than us.
Why did you choose the UT Austin College of Pharmacy?
When I was picking a program for my Pharm.D., UT was at the top of my list. I knew about its rich history and how respected the Pharm.D. program was. Even though I applied to several other schools and got accepted into all of them, I hadn't heard back from UT. I was really anxious. Finally, after getting an interview, I was accepted!
Who’s your hero?
My father is my hero. Throughout my life, he has been the bedrock of support and inspiration. He instilled in me the values of hard work, resilience and perseverance. Whenever I faced hurdles, he was there to listen to me and guide me in the right direction. His sacrifices for our family and his commitment to our well-being showed me what true strength and love look like. It's his encouragement and lessons that have shaped and propelled me to this juncture in my life. Without his influence, I wouldn't be the person I am today.
If you had a warning or advisory label, what would it say?
"Caution: Hunger alarms go off without notice."
