Introduce yourself to the group

Hi! My name is Jessica and I am a sixth-year pharmacy student at St. John’s University. My interest in pharmacy started in high school since I have a lot of family in the field. I’ve worked at Capsule and Walgreens in the past, and I’ve enjoyed my time working in retail pharmacy as I like talking to patients and educating them on their medications. I did my IPPE rotations at Walgreens and NUMC and they were good experiences. At NUMC I learned more about pharmacy operations in the hospital which was interesting. So far, I’ve done my APPE rotations at a Meds to Beds pharmacy, a specialty pharmacy, and spent 2 months rotating in the ICU. They have been such good experiences and I have been learning so much. I was raised in Long Island, but in 2020 my family moved to Georgia, so I will likely be moving back to be with my family once I graduate. After I graduate, I envision myself moving back to Georgia, studying for the NAPLEX and MPJE, taking some time off to travel a bit, and then working at a retail pharmacy, but I am open to other paths and opportunities as well!

In my free time, I enjoy spending time with friends and family, playing the violin, traveling, and spending time in nature.

Feel free to connect with me on LinkedIn!

www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-j-897831192

Hello everyone! My name is Faizah Sheikh and I am a current P4 student at St. John's University. I have been pursuing a career in pharmacy since my interest was piqued in high school. I have gained a lot of experience in different fields of pharmacy, including community pharmacy, hospital pharmacy, and research. I currently work at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center as a student intern and this has allowed me to learn more about how a speciality hospital function and more about oncology medications. This job has also allowed me to learn more about different types of therapies and led me down the path of drug information and literacy.

I have developed an interest in researching different types of new medications and their place in our current treatment regimens. I hope to figure out my way in the different fields of drug information and even managed care pharmacy and understand how I can implement new therapies for patients while also optimizing their care and finances. I have participated in a couple of P&T competitions and found that I enjoy making monographs and researching therapies.

I hope to achieve a residency in managed care pharmacy and pursue my interest in continuously learning about new developments in the pharmacy world.

In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my sisters and doing different activities together. We enjoy watching all types of movies, painting, working out, biking, and climbing. We try to spend as much time together as possible since we are all busy pursuing careers in healthcare.

Hi everyone! My name is Sumaiya Gani and I am currently a P4 pharmacy student at St. John’s University in Queens, NY. I currently work at an independent pharmacy in Roslyn Heights, NY, where I have been working for about two years now. Prior to this, I worked at a CVS in East Hills, NY for about three years and then worked as a pharmacy intern at Parker Jewish Institute for Health Care and Rehabilitation for a few months as well. Unfortunately, the inpatient pharmacy at the institution was outsourced and so I no longer work there. I grew up in Queens, NY, specifically Woodside, but moved at the end of my first year at St. John’s and now live in Roslyn Heights. I am the oldest of four children and am a mother to three adorable cats. My current interests include psych and neuro. Throughout my work and APPE experiences so far, I have learned that I love being able to have direct communication with my patients and really appreciate the relationship and trust I am able to build with them through my services. I am excited to explore the socio esthetician's role in pharmacy during this rotation!

During my free time, I love exploring different types of cuisines with my friends, going to the gym, watching all sorts of competitive reality shows, and traveling. After graduation, I plan on taking a trip to London to visit my sister and then going to Greece with my family for a few days. Currently, my favorite cuisine is Korean food and I cannot get enough. 

Hi everyone! My name is Christina, a 6th year pharmacy student at St. John's University. Upon entering pharmacy school, I worked at an independent pharmacy, where I was able to begin my journey within pharmacy. I am a pharmacy intern at NewYork Presbyterian - Specialty Pharmacy in Queens where I have been for a little over 2 years now. During the summer, I work with a boutique development firm focused on real-estate developments. Within all my experiences, including my rotations, I was able to truly focus in on how pharmacy encompasses several different factors. My sister working at a dermatologist office for quite some time, has struck my interest in dermatology, and oncology has been an interest of mine for some time now, but I have not had much exposure within the field.

My post-graduate plan is to hopefully pursue a residency, but I always have an open mind as to where life will lead me. I hope to fit in some time for traveling within the next few months as I shockingly enough have been able to travel more during these rotations.

When time permits, I enjoy spending time with my friends and family just doing simple things. A long time interest of mine has been trying out new restaurants and truly getting to appreciate the full experience such as the service, food and ambiance. I have recently discovered I am a adrenal junkie and decided to go sky diving this summer, and I am sure I will find so much more to do! Looking forward to what is to come!

Feel free to connect with me on LinkedIn! www.linkedin.com/in/christina-shenouda

Hi everyone, I’m Naasiha, a pharmacy student at St. John’s University! This is my first APPE rotation and I’m excited to spend it exploring my interests such as oncology, skincare, and the other interesting topics found on the website. I have been working as a pharmacy intern at Mount Sinai in the outpatient oncology infusion pharmacy for the last 2 years. I enjoy working there greatly as we interact with many other healthcare providers to provide comprehensive oncology care. I also get to learn a lot about new oncology drug launches and how hospital pharmacy conducts itself. Before Mount Sinai, I was an intern at CVS for 3 years and explored the retail side of pharmacy. Surprisingly, I enjoy both environments!

My post-graduate plans are hopefully to pursue a residency! I have an interest in ambulatory care and hospital administration. 

In my free time, I love spending quality time with my family and friends. I enjoy self-care such as getting my eyebrows done, doing a face mask, and getting a mani-pedi. I like making my coffee at home and learning new recipes! I try to go to Hot Yoga once in a while, but I’m hoping to make it a regular practice. I also enjoy eating out and discovering new cuisines. My favorite cuisine is Japanese!

Upon graduation, I hope to go back to my parents’ home country: Bangladesh, to visit my paternal grandma and family there! I know I want to see the family before life gets super real.

Feel free to connect with me on linkedin!

www.linkedin.com/in/naasiha-ahmed

Hi! My name is Maha and I am a 6th year pharmacy student from St. John's University. I am a pharmacy intern at Bellecare Pharmacy, an independent community pharmacy in Queens. While on my APPEs, I discovered my passion for clinical pharmacy and that I love the hospital work setting which led me to pursue a PGY1 residency. I am still in the application process, and hopefully I will become a resident after graduating! My current interests include ambulatory care and infectious disease, and I actually had an APPE in ambulatory care clerkship for oncology at Monter Cancer Center. I loved my interactions with patients and counseling them was fun. I also very much enjoyed my Medical Systems APPE at Nassau University Medical Center and my General Inpatient APPE at Plainview Hospital. I hope to learn more about dermatology and oncology during this rotation as well.

During my free time, I love to chat with my friends on FaceTime, cook, explore different cafes, go to the campus gym, watch Kdramas, and do my makeup. I plan on going traveling but not sure when, as studying for my boards and preparing for residency may take up most of my time this year! I definitely want to go to at least one place this year though. Please don't hesistate to connect with me on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/maha-sohail-73ab48240

Hi, I'm Mahir, currently in my sixth year of pharmacy school at St. John's University. I have been working as a pharmacy intern at Walgreens for nearly four years now. While retail can be stressful at times, I greatly enjoy interacting with patients. Recently, everyone has been coming in to get flu shots and I get a chance to really connect with patients while administering the vaccine and giving them the best quality of care I can. Personally, I would like to go into a job where I can use my clinical knowledge more. I've been considering going into managed care and building a career there.

In my free time, I like watching soccer matches, My favorite team is Manchester United but I also watch a lot of Real Madrid games. I don't get the chance to play soccer much due to my busy schedule but I still try to stay active and keep my body fit. I also bake simple things here and there. My favorite things to make are cake pops and tres leches cakes.

Upon graduating, I don't think I will be doing much traveling. I'd like to watch a Manchester United game in England one day but that's about it for now. I want to focus on repaying my loans first before I start spoiling myself.

Feel free to connect with me on LinkedIn everyone! https://www.linkedin.com/in/mahir-hasin-29b10b148/

Hi! I am Dana Paolino, a 6th year pharmacy student from St. John's University. I am currently a pharmacy intern at an independent pharmacy in Manhasset, NY, where I have been working for over 2 years. I love working in community pharmacy as it allows me to build close relationships with the patients I serve; however, I do not know if I want to stay in community after graduation. I was hoping our APPEs would help me decide what to do post-graduation, but with only four left, I am still unsure. I have recently given more thought into pursuing residency or fellowship after graduation so I am remaining optimistic! No matter what I do after graduation, I know I want to travel abroad before starting to work. It has always been a dream of mine to visit Japan to see the beautiful scenery, enjoy the cuisine, and, of course, visit Tokyo.

In my free time, I enjoy spending time with friends and family, including my two cats. I have recently picked up crocheting which I hope to be better at with more time and practice. Besides that, I love simply walking around the neighborhood or in NYC, going to concerts, and playing video games.

I am very excited about all I will learn during this rotation. I have always been interested in oncology and dermatology so there are many topics I am interested in researching over this next month!

Hello, my name is Eshmal Mukhtar and I am a 6th year pharmacy student at St. John’s University. I currently work as a pharmacy intern at CVS for over a year. Working in a community pharmacy and gaining experiences during rotations taught me many valuable skills to become a talented pharmacist. I am still unsure if I want to pursue post-graduate training in residency or do a fellowship. I hope I will find my interest in a specialty in this rotation and be fulfilled with my decision. I am intrigued to learn about various skin conditions and holistic approaches during my time with the Socioethestician rotation.

When I have free time, I like to hang out with my family, exercise, and explore new places around my city. So far, I’ve enjoyed going to cafés and concerts. After graduation, I plan to take the NAPLEX and MPJE exams and then will travel. I want to visit my parent’s home country, Pakistan, and explore Europe before I start working. I haven’t traveled abroad in over 10 years and that makes the summer 2024 trip even more exciting!

Hi! My name is Anisah Rozan and I'm a 6th year Pharm D. student from St. John's University. I currently work as a pharmacy intern at an independent pharmacy, which is where I've been for the past 3 years. Working in an independent pharmacy has helped me gain perspective as to how much it takes to run your own pharmacy. Opening my own pharmacy has always been a dream of mine, but after graduating I would like to start working in either a hospital pharmacy setting or industry. I love travelling, watching UFC and trying new restaurants. I also play the piano and I love to cook and bake. I have a little brother Zack (12) and a little sister Zoyah (9). After I graduate, I'm planning a trip to either Europe or Bermuda with my mom before I start working.

Hello, my name is Roquia Ali. I am a 6th year pharmacy student at St. John's University. Currently, i am working as a pharmacy intern at Rite Aid pharmacy. I"m still not set on what i want to do after i graduate. All i do know is that i want to take a break after graduation. After having rotations throughout the summer the this year and the previous, I am excited to have some time. This is currently my fourth rotation, making me almost halfway done with the 6th year. During my free time, I hike and try to enjoy the outdoors as much as i can. When the weather doesnt allow that, i like to stay home and bake.

Hello, my name is Nashfa Zaman and I am currently in my 6th year at St. John’s University. I have been working at a Walgreens for the past 4 years and recently got a 2nd job at Northwell. I also help out at my dad’s pharmacy when I can (he’s not a pharmacist but thinks he knows as much as one). This is my second APPE rotation and I’m excited to see what this rotation is like and how it will shape my career path. As of right now, I’m not too sure what I want to do long term, and I’m hoping rotations help me get a better idea of what I do enjoy. In my free time, I like to do more arts and crafts projects. I’ve recently been learning to crochet and sew. During COVID I started with embroidery.

As for plans after graduation, I’m not sure what I want to do. I want to take a mini trip for myself, but the thought of student loans is daunting. My first plan after graduation is to just start paying that off. I’m the type of person that can’t fully relax until something like a debt is paid off. My sister (27) is a lawyer and has not been touching her student loans due to the pause and is now getting married. Seeing the stress of how much a wedding costs (south Asian weddings are a multi-day event) and loans on top of that has scared me into trying to pay them off as early as possible. So as much as I would love to relax after having 6 years straight of school, I’m putting myself in the mindset that if I can do it for a little while longer, I will really be able to fully enjoy my life. I’ve been fortunate enough to have travelled a lot during high school, going to most of Europe with my family. I’ve seen most of the major countries and will survive waiting to see the rest of them for a few years.

Hello, my name is Trisha Khong, and I am a 6th year pharmacy student at St. John's University. My homestate is in Orange County, Southern California, and I currently am a pharmacy intern at Long Island Jewish Medical Center. I completed my introductory rotations at Elmhurst hospital and CVS last summer. These sites helped me gain a better insight on what I want to pursue upon graduation. During my time at Elmhurst hospital, I was fortunate to shadow a narcotic pharmacist and learn how to perform narcotic audits, which really peaked my interest. Participating in rounds with my preceptor was first-hand insight on the significance of pharmacists’ roles as medication experts crucial to maintain therapeutic efficacy and patient safety. At CVS, I performed patient counseling, tailoring each session to ensure safe and correct medication administration and adherence needed to maintain patient health. I also provided medical information to doctors and nurses and developed interprofessional communication skills essential to the smooth flow of patient care. As of now, I am interested in the path of residency and hope to continue my post-graduate learning in California; however, it is subject to change; I am open to whatever opportunity that arises, and I hope these rotations will give me a better picture of the many paths of pharmacy available.

In regards to my hobbies, I practice yoga avidly, and have committed hundreds of hours through private classes! One of my goals is to be certified as a yoga instructor one day. In addition, I enjoy baking in my free time, and would say I'm quite a decent baker. I used to participate in bake sales in my community to help raise money for non-profit organizations. Further, I enjoy traveling, and I travel very often especially since my family resides both in CA and NY.

The Socio Esthetician is my first rotation site. I am glad to be given this opportunity to apply my academic interest in skin disorders and its association with aesthetic medicine by utilizing the SocioEsthetician platform not only as an outlet to digitize my passion, but also be able to connect and participate in a community of colleagues who share the same interest as me. This rotation is a great chance for me to share my knowledge and learn new material from others!

Hello, my name is Kristen Ursick. I am a 6th year pharmacy student at St. John's University and I am a pharmacy intern at CVS. In the past, I worked at an independent pharmacy that also was a compounding lab. I have learned alot at my experiences at different pharmacy settings. This is my first APPE rotation. I am excited to begin this journey where I can grow as a student and future pharmacist. I hope that each of my rotations can help push me in the direction of making the final decision for my career. Currently, I believe I’d like to work in a hospital setting or possibly do a residency, but I am open to change as I gain more experience in each setting. I am excited to gain experience in an ambulatory care setting because that seems interesting and I have not had much experience in that type of pharmacy setting. This rotation was interesting to me because I have always been interested in cancer and skincare. I took an oncology elective in my last semester where we learned about melanoma and I hope to research that topic even further. From kindergarten to my senior year of high school, I was a competitive dancer and I loved to paint and draw. I have always had an interest in art and being creative. I also took an advertising and design three year elective in high school. For a while I thought that was what I was going to go into as a career before I decided to go into pharmacy school. I am hoping to switch one of my elective rotations to one that involves medical communications and marketing. I think I would find this interesting as it combines my past interests with my pharmacy career. That is another large area of pharmacy that I was not aware of when I began this program. I’ve spent the last few years very focused on my classes and studying and now it will be great to gain on the job experience in a variety of settings. I hope to travel for a little while after graduation if I have the time. It will be much needed after this last year of school. I have traveled to many states in the USA and to islands in the caribbean. I’d love to travel to Europe and different countries soon. In my free time I love to hangout with my friends and family, exercising, and reading which I hope to have more time for eventually. I have spent the last few years in Queens for St. John’s, but I am glad to be back on Staten Island all in one place and beginning rotations.

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristenursick/

Hello, my name is Aleksandra Agranovich, but I like to go by my nickname “Sasha”. I am currently a 6th year pharmacy student at St. John’s University. I work as a pharmacy intern for Walgreens but hope to broaden my pharmacy experience in other settings within the near future. I currently reside in New York and want to remain and work here because New York City is the best city in the world. Throughout my time at St. John’s, I was able to overcome many challenges and obstacles that have helped to shape me into the person and pharmacy intern that I am today. Upon graduation in the coming months, I hope to get a job in the hospital and possibly complete a pharmacy residency. I am very interested in the subject and therapeutics of diabetes, although I would also love to learn more about dermatology. If I am able to, I would like to become a clinical pharmacist and focus specifically on diabetes education.

In terms of hobbies, I love reading books. I also really enjoy writing, riding my bike, and cooking/baking. I really hope that I get a chance to travel right before starting my career as a pharmacist. There are still many places that I haven’t been to and would like to explore. In addition to hobbies, I have a cat named Tulip and she is really cute. She tends to follow me all around the house. I am very excited to start writing journal entries for this rotation. At St. John’s, we never really learned much about dermatology so I’m hoping that this month will keep me updated on the most current dermatological medications and conditions.

LinedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/aleksandra-agranovich 😊

Hi everyone! My name is Alicia and I am a 6th year pharmacy student currently on my 8th rotation at the SocioEsthetician. I chose this rotation because I saw a great opportunity to dive deeper into topics that we do not have the time to completely cover in pharmacy school. My pharmacy work experience began at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. I began working at an independent community pharmacy during 2020 and I fell in love with it. I enjoy the interactions that I am able to have with patients in the independent community setting. I plan on working there as a pharmacist post-graduation. Even though I have decided on my plans after graduation, I am still eager to learn about other areas of pharmacy so that I am aware of all future possibilities. In addition to working in independent community pharmacy, I also work as a lifeguard and swim instructor, teaching children and adults how to be safe and confident in the water. In my free time I enjoy going on walks or bike rides through the trails near my house. I also took up golf as a hobby last summer. I am looking forward to warmer weather so I can continue to practice.

Hello! My name is Xunpeng Li, a 6th year pharmacy student who will be graduating in September 2021. This rotation is my last rotation and I really feel excited to finish all 9 rotations. I am currently working in an independent pharmacy in Flushing, NY. Majority of the patients are from China and some Asian countries. Most patients are nice to us and are willing to stay with us. We speak Mandarin and many dialects to explain details regarding medications in daily basis. Ever since the beginning of my job in Flushing 5 years ago, I knew that a great pharmacist would need to have great relationships with patients. Despite the fact that not every patient would be your buddy, I still value the keys of a good relationship. I really like photography as a personal habit. Even though, I am not a professional photographer. My friends enjoyed going out with me because I took great photos for them. I also like to drive to different places and breath the fresh air. Lastly, I enjoyed watching movies. As being a future pharmacist, I understood the professional career path would be long and meaningful. I think an entertainment or habits contribute to a healthy career path. Movies usually demonstrate philosophy in an entertaining way, so I laughed and could learn some words of wisdom while watching. Please feel free to reach me on https://www.linkedin.com/in/tommy-li-a8936314a/.

Hi! My name is Donna and I am currently on rotations for my sixth year in the Pharm. D. program at St. John’s University. I took an interest in pharmacy after volunteering at an independent one in my neighborhood and enjoying the work environment around me. In my second year of pharmacy school, I began to join clubs and learn more about different opportunities out there for pharmacists so since then I have been interested in pursuing the pharmaceutical industry path. I like this career path because there are so many different roles in industry for pharmacists to be a part of whether it be using your clinical knowledge or trying out the business side of things. Outside of pharmacy, I really value spending time with my friends and hanging around in NYC. I absolutely love traveling which is why I jumped at the chance to study abroad my second year in pharmacy when it was offered. This was the best decision I made because I made new friends through this experience. Every day I miss the experiences I had abroad but after graduation, I’m hoping for a road trip with my friends from the program to celebrate our graduation! I am looking forward to the rest of this rotation; skincare is always going to be an important popular topic (I'm always trying to find the best morning and nighttime skin routines). Skin was the first drugs and diseases course we had in our third year so it’ll be great to refresh my memory and learn about even the biggest beauty misconceptions that weren’t discussed in class. Feel free to always reach out on: http://www.linkedin.com/in/donnasalib

Hello, my name is Natalie Eshaghian and I am a 6th year pharmacy student at St. John’s University. I am a 1st generation Jewish Iranian American, being one of the first in my family to gain a doctorate degree. Throughout my time in pharmacy school, I have been involved in many different organizations, both pharmacy and non-pharmacy related. I was a part of the College of Psychiatric and Neurologic Pharmacists (CPNP) organization, as well as the Jewish Student’s Association, where I held 2 leadership positions, one as secretary and the other as president. I loved my time at SJU learning about the different fields of pharmacy, however, I enjoy APPEs because it really delves deeper into the different routes of the pharmacy profession. My favorite course throughout pharmacy school was my leadership and alternative medicine electives, where I learned about how to be an effective leader in the pharmacy profession as well as the various regular day items that most people use but treatment options for others. I feel that with this rotation I can educate myself more on the topic of alternative medicine, since many patients use alternative routes of treatment.

I am interested in various sports, such as football and soccer. I also love gymnastics and used to be a part of the gymnastics team in high school! I also have a creative side, and try to draw on my free time. Lastly, I am into health and fitness, and even have my own instagram page to motivate me to stay on track. Feel free to follow: @Bffitness18 https://www.instagram.com/bffitness18/

I hope to travel once I graduate to different areas of the world, such as Thailand, Maldives, Israel, Italy, London, and so much more. I hope I can gain a career in pharmacy upon graduating, but I have a feeling that once that happens I would have to limit my desires of traveling. However, I hope I can acquire a pharmacy career that will be flexible to allow me to enjoy my time and travel the world! I am looking forward to this next rotation at the SocioEsthetitian!

If you would like to connect on LinkedIn, here is my profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natalie-eshaghian-bb692720b/

Hi everyone! My name is Najwa Ghani and I am a 6th year PharmD student wrapping up my rotations. I have worked in various settings. First, I worked at an independent as a pharmacy technician. Then, I worked as a pharmacy intern at Capsule Pharmacy. In fact, my friend and I were the very first pharmacy interns there. It was really great being able to see a start-up grow and be able to partake in multiple roles as a pharmacy intern whether it was in their office or the physical pharmacy. I finally transitioned to be a pharmacy intern at Montefiore Medical Center. It is interesting to see the ins and outs of how a hospital and how a hospital pharmacy operate and I am glad that I have the opportunity to do so. Outside of pharmacy school, my passions are food (not cooking, unfortunately just eating) and kayaking. My claim to fame is being a Yelp Elite and food is truly what brings people together and I love trying anything and everything. I got into kayaking several years ago and also enjoy water polo very much. I am a volunteer at the Brooklyn Bridge Boathouse and occasionally direct children water polo games. The best part about kayaking for me is being in the water, there is nothing more cathartic for me as I learned how to swim when I was 4. I am interested in any role as a pharmacist and exploring different roles outside of the typical scope of pharmacy.

My LinkedIn- https://www.linkedin.com/in/najwa-ghani-4b31251b8

Hello, my name is Marina Beshara and I am currently a 6th year Pharm D student at St. John’s University. I have been working as a Pharmacy Technician at an Independent Pharmacy for the past 4 years and I enjoy the interactions that I have had with the patients as well as my co-workers. When I first started pharmacy school, I only thought pharmacy meant working in a community setting but through the last 6 years I have learned that there are many other specialties in pharmacy. I am interested in exploring the Pediatrics specialty as well as Compounding upon graduation. Outside of school, I love walking in nature, whether it is through a park or by a lake; it is very relaxing. I also enjoy listening to music and watching TV. I love traveling as well. One of my favorite countries to travel to is Egypt but I am bias because that is where I am originally from. I am hoping to travel after graduation to honestly any country in the world or even visiting different states. If you have any recommendations then please let me know; I am very open to visiting new countries and learning about different cultures as well as trying different foods. I am looking forward to connecting with all of you. Here is a link to my LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marina-beshara-1999mb/ but also feel free to reach out to me on any other platform.

Hi my name is Fatima Malik, and I am a 6th year pharmacy student at St John’s University. I recently started working as a pharmacy intern in Walgreens from October 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. Working during the pandemic has proven to have its trials, yet I am grateful for the learning experiences that Walgreens has taught me with and the wonderful people I’ve worked with along the way. I originally chose to become a pharmacist because of my hospital volunteer experience at Northwell Hospital during high school, and because I enjoyed chemistry as a subject.

As a St John’s student, I am appreciative of St John’s diversity as I was able to explore multiple organizations pharmacy and non-pharmacy related. Over the past 6 years I have researched several fields of pharmacy, and developed interest in ambulatory care/specialty pharmacy settings. I like that ambulatory care combines aspects of inpatient and outpatient care and that it has so much variety in what it has to offer. Upon graduation I am interested in pursuing a possible residency, and I am also open to learning more about the industry side of pharmacy as well. I aim to become a pharmacist who will not only improve the quality of life for patients, but build strong personal connections to my patients as well as interprofessional relationships.

I have multiple interests, skincare being a subject I love educating myself on continuously as well as beauty in general. I am always open to trying new skincare and makeup and it is a true passion of mine. In my free time I like to read, take care of my two year old kitten, bake and spend quality time with my family.

Hello everyone, I am Natalia Loomis, a 6th year pharmacy student at St. John's University. During my semesters at St. Johns, I have been involved in various leadership positions and organizations. Outside of st. John's, I have been working with CVS Health for around 4 years and love the connections I have made with the various teams I had the opportunity to work with. As I embark on my APPE journey, I want to take the opportunity to use the skills I have acquired through my pharmacy education both inside and outside the classroom. I hope through my experiential rotations I strengthen my professional development and growth; with the ultimate goal of becoming a better healthcare professional. Professionally, I am interested in pursuing an off track pharmacy profession within the Pharmaceutical Industry. Personally, I am very into wellness and navigating the world of mental health, especially since It was not a topic of conversation growing up. I love going to the beach, reading, listening to music, and hanging-out with my friends during my free time. I am an avid yogi, poet, and podcaster. For more information about me personally I recommend checking out my podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/60Ca4V9B3VRB0WNuQxJoXX?si=3Kt0xMb0SF6sxaqR5CUskQ

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natalia-loomis-428368190/

Hi, my name is Alexandra (Ally) LaStella, and I am currently a 6th year Pharm. D student at St. John's University. This is my final rotation before graduation, and I could not be more excited! The two pharmaceutical topics that I am most interested in are psychiatry and ***/AIDS.

I recently took a leap of faith and moved across the country to Imperial Beach, California (which is just south of San Diego and just north of Tijuana, for reference). I am planning to take the pharmacy boards in both New York and California to maximize my job opportunities following graduation. However, I would really like to find a remote position and be able to work from home - I am even currently in the process of doing some medical writing with Uqora, a San Diego-based supplement company providing preventative therapies for recurrent UTIs that are more than just cranberry pills. Check them out! https://uqora.com/

I have been employed with Rite Aid since May 2015, and will be transferring my position out to Ocean Beach, California. I am excited to get back to work and see how things are different in a California retail pharmacy.

On a personal note, I am a proud dog-mom to a 5 year old Italian Greyhound named Cooper, who is the love of my life. We enjoy long walks on the beach and mid-day naps. Luckily, there is no shortage of beaches out here in sunny southern California!

Please feel free to reach out to me on any platform, including LinkedIn, which I've provided below. I am excited to see what the future holds!

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/alexandra-lastella-aa674720b

Rotation Dates: Period 11 2021 (04/12/2021 - 05/07/2021)

Hi! My name is Sophia Jen and I am currently a 6th year pharmacy student at St. John's University and pharmacy intern at Raindew Pharmacy. I'm generally open to any field in pharmacy since I don't have any particularly strong interests in a specific career path. My four years of experience in an independent pharmacy have been eye-opening in the sense that it has directed me towards a future where I see myself in a casual environment where I can develop personal relationships with coworkers and get to know my patients in a deeper way. Through my work experience, I've learned not to take things too personally as everyone is dealing with their own hardships just like I am. I consider myself to be pretty flexible and quick to adapt when placed into new environments so I am interested in pursuing non-traditional pharmacy career paths that challenge yet still utilize my pharmaceutical knowledge. Outside of pharmacy, I love to travel with my friends and family and watch Korean dramas. Another interest that I have is skincare because I used to physically and mentally struggle with acne and hyperpigmentation in my late teens and early twenties. I still experience breakouts and bad skin days but my skin has never been better ever since I learned about skincare and I always get so excited whenever I get a new product to try. After graduation, I plan on doing some travelling and road trips along the East Coast seem to be the safest option at this point while the pandemic is still overbearing. Since I don't have any job offers lined up yet, I want to take my time studying for the board exams and having fun before I get swept up into a full-time position. You can reach out and follow my professional journey on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/sophia-jen

Hi, my name is Crystal and I’m a 6th year pharmacy student at St. John’s University. I’ve been with CVS Health for just about 5 years now and I’ve been fortunate enough join the medical cannabis industry with Curaleaf earlier in the pandemic. My pharmacists have been supportive of my journey through pharmacy school, encouraging me whenever I faced any bumps in the road. Their impact will stay with me forever and I want to give back the same way by becoming a preceptor. It would be a blessing to be a role model and safe place for my interns seek guidance. Sometimes you just need a little reassurance and it helps coming from someone who has been through a similar path. Although it’s only 8 months thus far, I’ve loved my experience in medical cannabis. My team at Curaleaf is exceptionally knowledgable and welcoming. I came in as a blank slate since alternative medicine was only brushed over in school, but I’ve definitely pushed myself out of my comfort zone and excelled. Providing consultation sessions, I find joy in being able to get to know patients beyond what’s written in their profile. I love hearing their story - who they are and how they ended up here. I consider myself an introvert, but when it comes to patient care, it’s like the switch flips. One thing I am actively working on is prioritizing my mental health. I am an overachiever to say the least and oftentimes, I overextend myself. Juggling rotations and 2 jobs, I currently work 7 days a week so I am still working on finding a healthy balance between work and personal life. With success often measured based on your job title or salary, mental health is usually not in the equation. I am a huge advocator for therapy and hope to influence my future mentees to welcome what might be uncomfortable conversations with patients/friends. Know the signs, what to say, and when to recommend a professional for help. I hope that one day, it will be the norm to address our mental health the same way we would our physical health. Although I thoroughly enjoy my role in community pharmacy as well as medical cannabis, I would love to specialize in psychiatry and behavioral health. Outside of work, I’m fairly reserved and appreciate simple days like sleeping in before getting an iced coffee and bowl of pho. Before COVID-19, I was fortunate enough to have extensively traveled Europe with both family and friends, but I am just as happy to stay home as long as it’s with the people I love.

Please feel free to connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/crystal-l-a59249b8/

I look forward to working with you!

Hi, my name is Paige, and I am a sixth year PharmD candidate at St. John’s University. I previously worked in the community at Rite Aid pharmacy, but now work for a health technology & pharmacy-based company called Capsule. Capsule is a new pharmacy that takes what does not work in the standard retail/community pharmacy, and improves upon it (https://www.capsule.com). Currently I’m part of a few Capsule initiatives, including travelling clinics for COVID-19 vaccinations, a new MTM program, and a training program for new intern hires. Working for Capsule has been amazing! For me, choosing to pursue a career in the pharmacy field arose out of a love for healthcare, helping people and problem-solving. And while I don’t have a specific specialty of interest, my passion lies in helping patients get the care they require and educating the community. This same passion reflects on my experience in school where I started a mentoring program for the incoming freshman class in the St. John’s College of Pharmacy. I also developed an interest in mental health and psychiatric disorders, which led me to participate in a mental health first aid training. During this program, I learned how to help those struggling with mental health or in a mental health crisis, which was a very rewarding experience. I have many interests that I’m sure will grow over the coming years, but I’d like to begin working as soon as possible following graduation. During my free time, I enjoy painting and working out, which I hope to find more time for after I am finally licensed! I also enjoy music, traveling, brunch and spending time with family and friends. I look forward to learning more about this pharmacy role and gaining a new perspective. The following is my LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paige-dennis-766396149.

Hi everyone, my name is Bria and I am a 6th year pharmacy student at St. John's University. I have been always been interested in helping people who live in lower income neighborhoods or have limited access to adequate health care. I also want to learn about minimizing the health disparities that are seen in the healthcare system, especially now with the pandemic. I personally know a lot of people who are going through very rough times because of COVID-19 from lack of food, income, and health resources. My goal upon graduation is to start off in retail and provide as much guidance as I can within the communities that I am serving. I want to be someone who can vocalize the concerns for these types of communities on a larger scale, so that things care change in the medical field to provide better care for all patients. Later in the future, I do plan on transitioning into managed care pharmacy because I have always been interested in that aspect in pharmacy. In my free time, I love to draw, dance, teach myself new things such as sign language and video editing, and spending time with my family. I am looking forward to working with everyone!

Hi everyone, my name is Julianna Lombardo and I am in my sixth and final year of the PharmD program at St. John’s University. I began working at Rite Aid after my freshman year of pharmacy school as a tech. I am now an intern with the company and I just signed my contract to be a pharmacist upon graduation! I always said I liked the math and science behind the profession, but I’ve grown to love the patient aspect of the profession way more than math and science. I love building a connection with the patients at my pharmacy and hope to continue that when I become a pharmacist. In one of my earlier rotations, I heard a pharmacist referred to as an “influencer,” and it has stuck with me ever since. Pharmacists have such an influence on patients. There are countless times a day when I recommend vaccines to patients that didn’t even know they needed them. I am “influencing” their decision to protect themselves against potentially harmful viruses. While completely MTMs I am “influencing” the way they are taking their medications. While counseling, I am “influencing” how they will feel while taking the medication. Outside of pharmacy, I enjoy getting outdoors by hiking in the Adirondacks and going on long runs. I also enjoy going to the beach and reading self-help books. I’m looking forward to broadening my horizon on pharmacist roles and learning through this rotation!

Hello! My name is Adwah Yousuf and I am a 6th year pharmacy student at St. John's University, but I like to go by "Addy!" I have always had a passion for positive and impactful patient-care and from a young age, I knew that I wanted to pursue a career within the healthcare field. While I had originally harbored a hesitance when it came to picking a specific role within such a vast field, I soon gravitated towards pharmacy practice as I began my quest to better understand what options were available. The ability to manage medications, assess patients, and participate in an interdisciplinary approach to enhance patient outcomes greatly appeals to me and soon enough, I decided that pursuing a position as a clinical pharmacist is something I truly wanted to do. I am currently in the process of applying to residencies and my interests include oncology and cardiology. I have a special connection to the field of oncology and subsequently palliative care due to the experiences I had as a child. Growing up, numerous family members of mine developed cancer and I witnessed the profound impact terminal illness can have on patients and their families. This instilled a passion within me to specialize in this field in the hopes of better enhancing outcomes for those affected. Outside of pharmacy practice, I pride myself on having numerous varied hobbies. I am an aspiring writer who would love to eventually become a novelist. I also thoroughly enjoy graphic design and I've also begun teaching myself CSS and HTML coding. Bullet-journaling is a therapeutic hobby that also helps me stay organized. I'm also an avid coffee fan who enjoys discovering new cafes and coffeeshops as well as an oat-milk enthusiast. I look forward to getting to know everyone & working with you all in the future!

Hi everyone! My name is Bianca and I’m a 6th year pharmacy student at St. John’s University. I was pretty involved in college and really love the network I was able to form. I did (and continue to do) a lot of community service with my sorority, and plan to continue to do service throughout my life as it is very important to me. I was also a student mentor for 3 years and it was a very rewarding experience for me. The reason I chose pharmacy is because I always had a love for chemistry and the medical field. At this moment, I think my main interest in pharmacy is palliative care. I know it is a difficult path, but I know that the palliative care team makes all the difference in the quality of life a person experiences during chronic illness/end of life. That is actually part of the reason why I chose this rotation. Pain is subjective. Quality of life is subjective. There are people who may feel psychological pain relating to their appearance aside from any physical pain they may be feeling. I see this as a great opportunity to further educate myself on how esthetics can be personalized and perfected for anyone regardless of their health. Esthetics involves working with the largest organ of the body, so it only makes sense that furthering your knowledge of the skin, as well as diseases and medications that may affect it, can improve the quality of work an esthetician does. Personally, my best friend is an esthetician and I would love to work alongside her one day to provide quality services to a wide range of people. Besides pharmacy, I like to go hiking, paint, take care of my million plants, and spend time with my friends on my free time. I’m looking forward to learning a lot and connecting with everyone!

Hi my name is Anila Islam. I am a 6th year pharmacy student at St. John’s University. I currently work as a pharmacy intern at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital Weill Cornell Medical Center. Over the last six years I have developed a major interest for clinical pharmacy and hope to pursue a residency upon graduation, focused in Emergency Medicine. I have held leadership positions in school which helped guide me towards my interests outside of school. I have helped create an organization called Doodles4Change Inc. to raise money by selling art since healthcare disparities are common in underprivileged countries. This helps provide medical equipment and surgery costs with the donations received and money raised. After graduation I hope to visit these communities and give back further by creating schools and job opportunities. Looking forward to learning a lot from this rotation.

Hello, my name is Dinh Buu (Christy) and I am a 6th-year pharmacy student at St. John's University. I was born in Vietnam and my family immigrated to America when I was 6th years old. I currently work as a pharmacy intern at Walgreens Pharmacy and it is actually my 5th year being there. I chose pharmacy as a major because I volunteered at the pharmacy department during high school and I loved the role that the pharmacist played. Due to my immense interest in clinical pharmacy, I decided to pursue a PGY-1 residency. I'll be starting post-graduate training at NYU Winthrop Hospital this upcoming June and I'm looking forward to embarking on this new journey. I'm torn between Ambulatory Care and Critical Care as both specialties really intrigued me in their different aspects. In my free time, I love exercising, swimming, watching movies, and trying new restaurants with my friends. I'm an only child so I love having company. I look forward to connecting with everyone through this new platform!

Hello, my name is Joseph and I am a 6th year pharmacy student at St. John's University. I currently work as a pharmacy technician at Northwell Health Southside Hospital in Bayshore. I chose St. John's University and more specifically pharmacy because of my mom. She is a pharmacist who graduated from St. John's as well, and growing up she always used to talk to me about what she did as a pharmacist and how much she loved the profession and her time at St. Johns. As a student these past 6 years, I have become involved in numerous different organizations and exposed myself to many different experiences and people. I was mostly involved in a professional pharmacy fraternity on campus where I was able to step into numerous leadership roles for the chapter, campus and the entire northeast. I have attended numerous conferences and networked with students and pharmacists from all over the United States. Since I began pharmacy school, I knew I wanted to work within a hospital system. Through rotations, I have realized that there are so many paths and opportunities for a hospital pharmacist. Besides pharmacy, my favorite things to do are play and watch hockey, enjoy the beach and spend time with my family and friends. I am excited to work and engage in new topics with everyone.

Hi, my name is William and I am a 6th year pharmacy student at St. John's University. I currently work as a pharmacy intern at Northwell Health LIJMC and at Rockville Centre Pharmacy. Over the last six years I've made it a priority to get involved by joining various organizations on and off campus. In this time, I have completed a number of research projects, held many leadership roles, and attended numerous conferences related to pharmacy practice. My goal as a pharmacist will always be to give back in any way that I can. Having been born in a third world country, I hope to one day be able to support public health efforts to prevent the spread of diseases in these countries. The role of a pharmacist has changed over time and as we become more and more involved in direct patient care I am enthusiastic to join the workforce and be able to help others. In my spare time, I love to play sports, fish, and hang out with family and friends. I look forward to connecting with everyone!

Hello, my name is Ruchira and I am a 6th year pharmacy student at St. John's University. As a pharmacy student, I have taken steps throughout my pharmacy career to challenge myself and developed a great interest in clinical pharmacy. I have spearheaded multiple research projects, have been involved in mentorship programs where I have guided younger pharmacy students to complete their first research project, and held leadership roles in many organizations to expose myself to different pathways of pharmacy. Moving onto my APPE rotations, I have had a wide variety of unique pharmacy practice settings. One of my strong interests that I developed during rotations was Transitions of Care, where a pharmacist can work with interdisciplinary teams, manage chronic disease states, and tackle barriers to patient adherence. TOC is a topic that is shown in many professions of pharmacy and I am excited to embark on that pathway in my future career to help others.

On my free time, I also like to paint and draw. I have always had strong interest in art, and love to make paintings for my family and friends. I look forward to connecting with you!