Inspiring Grads: the Class of 2026

“What I’ll miss most about UIC is the people I met along this journey who helped shape me into my most authentic self. From mentors and classmates to patients I was fortunate to learn from, each person contributed something meaningful to my growth, and I’ll carry those lessons with me throughout my career. UIC created an environment that challenged me while keeping me grounded in purpose. That sense of community is something I’ll deeply miss.

Serving as Pharmacy Student Council President showed me the impact of using my voice to advocate for others. Whether I was working with Dean Schumock and faculty to improve the student  experience or representing my peers in important conversations, those moments reminded me that  leadership in pharmacy goes beyond clinical knowledge. It is also about service, responsibility, and leaving things better than you found them.

Over the past four years, I’ve grown into someone who no longer allows imposter syndrome to define me. I’ve put in the work to become not only clinically competent, but also intentional about the kind of impact I want to have in healthcare. One of the most meaningful parts of that growth was completing my IPPEs and APPEs in the underserved communities in Chicago. As a Black man, being present in those spaces meant everything to me, and I hope to continue to find ways to be present no matter where my career takes me.

During pharmacy school, I faced several personal challenges that tested me in ways I never expected. In my first year, my mother was going through chemo and radiation while I was balancing a full pharmacy schedule and a double master’s curriculum. Later, I also experienced a deeply personal family loss at the end of my third year. What helped me move through those moments was leaning on my support system, staying grounded in my purpose, and giving myself grace to process while still moving forward. I will always be grateful for the family God blessed me with, who never let me get too low or too high.

My advice to future graduates is to be intentional with your time and your journey. Pharmacy school goes by quickly, and it’s easy to get caught up in simply checking boxes. Instead, take ownership of your path, seek out experiences that align with your purpose, build meaningful relationships, and don’t be afraid to pursue opportunities that aren’t traditional. I promise it will be worth it. Also, invest in your ability to communicate your “why,” because that will open more doors than your resume or CV alone ever could. And finally, stay consistent. Small, disciplined efforts every day add up to opportunities you may not even imagine yet. Trust your faith, keep praying, and remember that your path has already been written.”

Fola will be joining Eli Lilly and Company as a Manager in the Clinical Design, Delivery, and Analytics (CDDA) organization.

“I will miss the abundance of resources that UIC has to offer. There was never a lack of information or mentors to seek out. My favorite memory as a student pharmacist is when I was on my nuclear pharmacy APPE rotation and I was able to participate in the sterile compounding of radioactive drugs. It was such a fun experience to learn about an area of pharmacy that we do not get exposure to in classes!

The first semester of pharmacy school was challenging because we were coming out of the pandemic. I graduated high school in 2020, so the majority of my undergraduate classes were a remote/hybrid format. Luckily, I was pretty quick to get back into the swing of in-person classes and the rigorous curriculum.

My advice to future graduates is always keep your options open. I told myself for three years that I did not want to do a residency program, but I decided during my APPE year that I fit best in clinical pharmacy settings.”

Piper will be joining Endeavor Health NorthShore Hospitals as a Community-Based PGY-1 Resident. She plans to pursue a career in ambulatory care with a focus on oncology.

“I will miss the sense of community the most. I love the small class sizes on the Rockford campus, I was always surrounded by classmates, faculty, and preceptors who were all working toward the same goal. The support system, collaborative environment, and shared experiences made even the most challenging moments manageable.

Some of my favorite memories have been during APPE’s. I met other students and preceptors who inspired me and helped me apply what I learned in class to real patient care. My favorite APPE rotation was at Jewel Osco, I had an amazing preceptor who I learned a lot from.

Over the past years, I’ve grown significantly in both confidence and resilience. I’ve become more comfortable making clinical decisions, communicating with other healthcare providers, and adapting to new challenges. I’ve also developed stronger time management skills, which is extremely important in pharmacy.

One of the biggest challenges I faced was balancing the academic rigor of pharmacy school with personal responsibilities. There were times when the workload felt overwhelming, but I learned to prioritize, stay organized, and ask for help when needed. Leaning on my support system and staying consistent with my goals helped me push through and succeed.

My advice is to stay consistent and don’t fall behind, it’s much harder to catch up than to keep up. Take advantage of every rotation and use them as learning experiences, even if it’s not your ideal setting. Also, build relationships with your peers and mentors, they will support you throughout school and even after!”

Nana will be taking a pharmacist position with Meijer pharmacy, and will continue building her clinical knowledge and skills in a patient-centered setting.

“I’ll miss the strong sense of community at UIC Retzky College of Pharmacy, especially my classmates who made even the most stressful days manageable. The support from faculty, staff, and mentors truly shaped my growth and confidence as a student pharmacist. Their guidance and encouragement made a lasting impact, and it’s something I’ll carry with me into my career.

My favorite memory has been celebrating small wins after exams with my classmates and getting involved in organizations like the Polish American Pharmacists Association (PAPA). Being part of PAPA allowed me to connect with others, give back to the community, and grow both personally and professionally. Those moments of balance between hard work and meaningful involvement made my time as a student pharmacist truly memorable.

Over the past four years of pharmacy school, I’ve grown the most in my confidence. I’ve gone from second-guessing myself to trusting my clinical knowledge and decision-making, especially when interacting with patients and healthcare teams. Through rotations, patient care experiences, and mentorship, I’ve become more comfortable speaking up, advocating for patients, and stepping into my role as a future pharmacist.

One of the biggest challenges I faced was overcoming testing anxiety and a lack of confidence, especially early on in the program. I often second-guessed myself despite putting in the work. Over time, I improved by developing better study strategies, leaning on my support system, and learning to trust my preparation.

My advice for future graduating classes at UIC Pharmacy is to get as much work experience as you can early on because it helps build your confidence, clinical skills, and understanding of patient care. At the same time, make sure you take time for yourself. Pharmacy school can be intense, and finding balance is important to avoid burnout and stay motivated throughout your journey.

After graduating, I will be pursuing a PGY1 Acute Care Pharmacy Residency at AdventHealth Orlando. I am very excited to continue building my clinical skills, expand my knowledge in patient care, and take the next step in my journey as a pharmacist!”

Jacqueline will be pursuing a PGY1 Acute Care Pharmacy Residency at AdventHealth Orlando.

“What I will miss most about UIC is seeing my mentors and other staff.  It was nice to stop by their office and tell them about what is going on in your life, whether it was academic-related or not. They always have the best advice.

My favorite memory of my time as a pharmacy student would be studying for midterms and finals with friends.  We would be in the RCOP building from morning to night, but it wasn’t a bad time because you had snacks with friends, just bouncing ideas and notes off of each other.

Reflecting on my time, I have developed a more professional and empathic approach when it comes to patient care.  I always want to make sure the patients I interact with know that I am listening with care and answering their questions in a format that makes them trust what I am saying.

During my second year of pharmacy school, I unfortunately could not pass a therapeutic class, which resulted in taking an extra year. During that extra year, I was able to pursue student-led research, run a student organization, and have extra volunteer time. I would not change anything, as I always say, “Everything happens for a reason.”

My advice to future graduates is that time goes by fast, and before you know it, you’re on rotations, realizing how much knowledge you gained over the years.  It is okay to not know “everything” at this moment because you will at your own pace.”

Jonathan will be joining Endeavor Health Swedish Hospital as a PGY1 Resident.