Q:Why did you choose pharmacy profession?

After receiving my undergraduate degree and continuing on to graduate school in biological sciences, I was trying to find my niche in a professional career. Acting upon the suggestion of my college professor, I contacted and sought advice from a pharmacy school dean who indicated that I would make a good candidate for admission. I followed his advice, was admitted to pharmacy school and graduated under a challenging and accelerated program for selected students. The result was learning every aspect of the pharmacy profession. From dispensing medications, drug manufacturing, pharmaceutics, pharmacology, public health, patient counseling, exploring the advent of clinical pharmacy in the 1970s, to exploring the dynamics of the profession, I became comfortable with all of it and became part of the world of pharmacy and all that went with it.

Q:In what ways has being a pharmacist changed you as a person?

As a pharmacist, my outlook has changed to one who is uniquely qualified to address a new set of healthcare problems and this has put me in a position to make a positive impact as a public health practitioner for patients and society, whether domestically or globally.

Q:What is the most rewarding aspect of your work?

My diverse career as a pharmacist in various practice settings from community, hospital, academia, federal government, pharmaceutical regulatory affairs and pharmacy practice policy have imbued in me a commitment to assume a role as a clinician and leader in my own right, both attributes of which are critical to excellence in patient care. The rewarding aspect of my work is to be able to promote my values to my peers and students through collegiality, understanding, communication and above all have an impact on others for the advancement and respect for the pharmacy profession.

Q:Is there one resource you can‘t live without?

I have really gotten so used to using my Blackberry that I find it essential, not only to keep up with communications, but with news and views of the world.

Q:What or who is the greatest love of your life?

In addition to my family whom I hold with great love and regard, what attracts me is the interest to travel internationally and be in touch with family as well as colleagues in the pharmacy field world-wide to advance the cause of pharmacy.

Q:How do you spend your free time?

Traveling; and networking with friends and keeping in touch with colleagues either through sharing a good meal or in a social enterprise of mutual interest.

Q:What is your favorite childhood memory?

Traveling with my family to attend my dad’s work conferences and enjoying the environment of meeting new people whether older or younger than I was.

Q:What is the book that changed your life?

I cannot think of any such book; however I have read a number of books that impressed me either seriously such as “Science and Survival” about societal environmental impacts and humorously about the art of creative usefulness such “The Laughing Warriors”. I have enjoyed good novels such those by Joseph Conrad whose works I spent considerable time reading and evaluating in college.

Q:Which living person do you most admire?

I would say my son who is 26 years of age. Although he had a promising and well established career as a CPA and was advancing well, he took it upon himself to put a hold on a successful career and comfortable lifestyle he had available here to embark on a social enterprise project for 1 – 2 years in India to help manage a company that develops clean water technology for the population masses. I consider this as giving up a lot that we have available here for something greater that can impact not only a wide population segment in India but also the rest of the world. What was also admirable is that he proactively looked into this initiative on his own and networked with his peers with opportunities to also learn and travel in India before he started his work.

Q:What is your greatest extravagance?

Always enjoy traveling; and the purchase sometime back of my first Mercedes.

Q:What medications do you always carry with you?

Nothing out of the ordinary. I take as little as possible.

Q:If you were a drug, what drug would you be and why?

We may not be there as yet, but I think a good and safe drug to maintain our youth and vitality and one to cure and mitigate the effects of cancer.

Q:What advice would you offer to a pharmacist just starting out?

The future of pharmacy relies on the force, the ethos, and selfless dedication that must be imbued to become engaged in a continual journey to kindle the fire within you. Take the opportunity to lead other pharmacists towards volunteerism in public health and service because the future of the profession is increasingly in your hands.

Q:What is the most important lesson life has taught you?

I must say, as a pharmacist, life has taught me that I am an integral part of the larger healthcare team, where we are a vital link in today’s increasingly complex healthcare environment. Take yourself out of the box and put yourself in the forefront to establish enriching links with family and friends to nurture yourself personally and professionally.

Q:What is your favorite pharmacist joke?

One joke that strikes as being funny was about a doctor who is to give a speech at the local AMA dinner. He jots down notes for his speech. Unfortunately, when he stands in front of his colleagues later that night, he finds that he can‘t read his notes. So he asks, "Is there a pharmacist in the house?"