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Student :
University of Arizona School of Pharmacy
I must
reveal that this essay predates a turning point in my life. The death
of my mother, my inspiration. "Dr. Smith" is a
compilation of my mentors and everything I believe a great health
care provider should be. The pharmacist I will strive to
be. I have been a pharmacy technician for three years, a
pharmacy compounding technician for one year, and a pharmacy intern
for two years now, this essay may sound näive. Perhaps it
is näive, but it reveals the truth as to what propels me to
succeed in my need to be the best health care provider possible.
When I am
asked what made me choose pharmacy school, I smile and say,
"that's easy. A bottle of aspirin and my mom."
My response always warrants the following explanation. Upon
entering college, I was fascinated to learn that the mechanism of
action of aspirin was relatively simple in comparison to the many
effects it has on the human body. I continue to marvel at how
one small pill can interact with the body to produce many different
results. The fact that two hundred milligrams of a substance
can alter the mood, the appetite, the pain, or even end the life of a
one hundred eighty pound man seems nothing short of magic to me.
Mom was
diagnosed with terminal cancer six years ago. Since that time,
my entire family has gathered around her to offer her support and
love. From the very beginning, I noticed the words in which she
took the most comfort were not phrases like, "Everything will be
okay," or "Your pain can be treated with this
pill." What put Mom most at ease was when her pharmacist,
"Dr. Smith" took the time to explain what was happening to
her body and how each medication would work to fight her cancer.
Even when these conversations had their necessary downsides, Mom was
still put at ease by knowing what exactly was happening to her
body. "Dr. Smith" also made it a point to inform her
of the latest drug treatments she or her physician may not have known
about. In doing this, "Dr. Smith" gave Mom a gift for
which she, and I, will be eternally grateful: Hope. I found
myself thinking, what an honor and privilege to offer such a gift.
"Dr.
Smith" gave me a reason to reexamine my views of what the
responsibilities of a pharmacist should be. A pharmacist needs
to forever bear in mind that even the most potent pill can not
replace the healing power of the human spirit. A drug should
not be administered to regenerate this spirit; rather, the human
spirit should be present to alleviate the needs for drugs. It
is only with this motto that the pharmacist can rise above the stigma
of "pill-pusher" to truly perform the job for which his/her
profession was intended: Rid suffering to improve quality of
life. It is these particular aspects of the profession which
are the most appealing to me because they imply that the pharmacist
can still help a patient even when science can not.
An excellent
pharmacist must posses the communication skills, approachability and
compassion to win the trust of his/her patients. Without these
skills a pharmacist can not be entirely competent. Through my
years of customer service experience, I feel I posses these skills
and continue to hone them in my present work as a pharmacy
intern. My positive attitude, my patience, and my commitment to
people are the characteristics of the pharmacist I will make.
Currently in
my second year of pharmacy school, my classroom experience has
provided me with a solid foundation. I have chosen to enhance
this groundwork through participation in professional
organizations. As President of the University of Arizona's
Academy of Students of Pharmacy Chapter, I work hard to maintain the
high level of performance that preceded me; as well as, to move our
chapter to a place it has never reached before. My focus is on
the success of the chapter. My dedication has come with
personal growth and satisfaction. I am confident in my
abilities to play a role in shaping and modifying the future of healthcare.
As an aspiring
pharmacist, I am prepared to make a commitment of a lifetime of
learning. A commitment to the patient. I will fulfill my
responsibilities to the patient by taking the time to show them
sincere concern and hope, by educating them in their decisions.
I will work as part of the triad: Patient, doctor and
pharmacist. I am confident that my fascination with the
biological influence of chemical substances on the human body,
coupled with my unique perspective of the role of the pharmacist, and
my academic and organizational accomplishments, will make me a
pharmacist that Mom, "Dr. Smith" and the makers of aspirin
can be proud of.
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