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Student
Essay by:
S. P.
From Washington State University
02/18/2004
My name is S.
P. and I am a third year pharmacy student at Washington State
University. I was Born and raised in the Latino working-class
community of Huntington Park (a city on the outskirts of Los
Angeles). I am one of the first in my family to graduate from a
four-year university and attend a professional school. My motivation
to pursue a career in pharmacy stems from my love for chemistry and
my desire to help people. In order to accomplish the goal of becoming
a pharmacist, I have prepared myself by completing an undergraduate
degree in Biochemistry at the University of California Los Angeles
(UCLA), volunteering at a local clinic, and working at thew Beverly
Hills Compounding Pharmacy.
My interest in
the medical field started when I was a student in high school. My
parents and grandparents, who are from Zacatecas, Mexico, spoke no
English when coming to the United States. I saw firsthand how
difficult it was for my family to get basic services such as banking,
health care, and education. Since I was the only one able to speak
English, I had to do much of the communicating on behalf of me
extended family. This was especially true during many of my
grandmother's trips to the local clinic and pharmacy. The doctors and
nurses spoke no Spanish so I had to translate my grandmother's
ailments so she could get the proper prescription drugs for her
diabetes. I remember thinking how much easier it would be if there
were more bilingual health care professionals in my community. In
fact, according to the Saludos Magazine, there are only 12.5% health
care professionals, 3% that are pharmacists in the US. This statistic
is quite low when the Hispanic population in the US is currently 32.8
million (2000 Census Bureau).
With that in
mind, I began my preparation for a career as a pharmacist. In
addition to attending UCLA full-time, I was expected to help run the
family business. My main responsibilities included collecting rent
from our tenants, balancing the books, and working with out local
jurisdictions to secure basic residential services. This experience
taught me how to work with all types of people, a skill that will be
especially helpful when I become a pharmacist. My studies at UCLA
included several rigorous courses such as Biochemical Methods and
Physical Chemistry that academically prepared me for this profession.
I also learned to take blood pressures at the clinic. Upon graduating
from UCLA, I decided to attend Washington State University because
Washington is one of the leading states to implement new laws for the
pharmaceutical industry.
After one year
at Washington State, I have found that pharmacy is more than just
dispensing and preparing drugs. A pharmacist is a key part of the
health care delivery, and being able to counsel and answer patient
health related questions and concerns is one of the most appealing
parts of the profession. I also believe that pharmacists will have an
even larger role to play in the future. For example, Washington and
California have both passed laws that allow pharmacists to dispense
emergency contraceptives within 72 hours of unprotected intercourse.
While this is not a choice for everyone, I believe that we have a
responsibility as health care providers to educate people, especially
in the Latino community, about their contraception options. Thus, I
have successfully completed the certification to be an emergency
contraceptive provider. Another important role a pharmacist can play
is in educating the community about vaccinations. Too many people
have false myths about immunizations and it is important for children
and the elderly to be protected against infectious disease. I am also
certified to give immunizations. During this past summer, I went back
to Los Angeles to work at The Beverly Hills Compounding Pharmacy.
This experience gave me the opportunity to learn about compounding
medication and further enhance my communication skills with people.
Upon
graduation from Washington State University, I plan on returning back
to my community of Huntington Park to help the people I grew up with.
I firmly believe that attending UCLA and Washington State University
has given me the opportunity to work with a diversely and appreciate
people of all cultures. As a future pharmacist, I look forward to
providing patients with extra services such as screenings,
immunizations, and leading prevention/disease management programs.
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