"During my time as a pharmacy technician, I had the opportunity to work with pharmacists who were alumni from a variety of schools. Some of the best and most inspiring pharmacists I had worked under were graduates from Midwestern University."
The following is an interview from when Raymond was a student in the College of Pharmacy at Midwestern University.
Hometown:
Park Ridge, Illinois
Undergraduate degree:
Pre-Pharmacy Coursework, Oakton College
What inspired you to pursue a healthcare career?
My interest in healthcare started back when I was in high school. I loved the idea of having a job where my main goal would be to improve the lives of my patients, however; I wasn't sure which specific career path I would choose to get there. After seeing the importance of medicine firsthand in keeping my own family healthy, I realized that the pharmacy profession is where I was meant to be. My passion is to not only make sure that my patients are taking the right medications, but that all of the parties involved are properly educated in the treatments that are being developed, ordered, and administered.
How did your background and history factor into your career choice?
I was lucky enough that my older brother was already pursuing pharmacy at the time. He and my parents pushed me to explore pharmacy as a career, and, as a result, I took on a job at a community pharmacy. Their support for me and my career has been invaluable as I took on this challenging journey, and I cannot thank them enough.
Why did you decide to attend Midwestern University?
During my time as a pharmacy technician, I had the opportunity to work with pharmacists who were alumni from a variety of schools. Some of the best and most inspiring pharmacists I had worked under were graduates from Midwestern University. The pharmacists who attended other schools would also consistently speak highly of Midwestern's program and their students. The combination of these factors, along with my own research, helped me realize that Midwestern University is a reputable school that would give me a great opportunity to succeed in my future career as a pharmacist.
What about a Midwestern University education do you want to carry forward in your career?
The supportive environment I experienced at Midwestern is something that I will never forget. Despite the challenges of school, work, rotations, and more, I knew that my classmates and professors were always there to inspire me to succeed and persevere through the rigorous pharmacy program.
