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By S. D.   2nd Year Pharmacy Student     Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, S.C.                                  03/06/05 "What contribution I will make to my profession when I graduate?" Upon graduation from pharmacy school, I will have gained exceptional knowledge to serve my community and the world. My plans are to contribute to the area of greater patient knowledge concerning diabetes, patient counseling, health disparities sand medication safety. I have a great interest in pursuing my career in the area of Diabetes Awareness as well as patient counseling. I view it as a pivotal opportunity for pharmacists to work closely with individuals and help with monitoring their individual health care. I believe pharmacists have a civic duty to counsel each patient and to make sure they understand the proper usage of each medication. Diabetic patients have to take special care in monitoring their glucose levels but more importantly controlling their diet and exercise. Diabetes has become one of the biggest killers in our communities today. It is time to take the necessary steps to ensure that all diabetics can live healthier and happier lives. Pharmacists are viewed as the most trusted profession in the world and that knowledge gives me great hope and desire to further myself and even explore looking at health disparities. I want to make a difference with individuals who are at risk for particular diseases. Areas such as diabetes, hypertension, and stroke diseases are of particular interest to me and I would do my very best to counsel my patients in these desired areas. If I see where certain individuals are at risk for a particular disease I will speak with them and suggest the proper testing and evaluations to make sure they do not become at risk. I want my patients to know that I am concerned for them as individuals as a complete whole and not just with their prescriptions only. Medication Safety is of particular importance to me because so many individuals do not take their medication correctly. As a pharmacist you must always know the "four rights": the right drug, the right dose, the right patient, and the right time. I will make it my duty to make sure that no one leaves my pharmacy unclear on how to take their medication. Even if I have to handwrite the directions I will make sure there is no doubt about anything. As you can see, I plan on contributing my time and my endless efforts to improve the health care of the community and the world. I want to be the pharmacist that goes beyond the call of duty to leave a positive impact on her patients. Patients do not have to make an appointment to see pharmacists and because we are accessible I want to give more than expected at all times.