Where are you from? Where did you grow up? Where do you live now?
From: Manila, Philippines
Grew up: San Antonio, Texas
Now: Raleigh, NC
Information about your education. Previous training, degrees, jobs?
Education
- Bachelor of Science in Public Health, Epidemiology and Human Diseases concentration - The University of Texas at San Antonio 2019
- Master of Public Health, Epidemiology - The University of Texas Health Science Center Houston 2020
- Doctor of Pharmacy - UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy 2024
Jobs
- ORISE Research Fellow - The Food and Drug Administration, CDER, ORS, OGD
- Pharmacy Intern - Omnicare, IV department
- Medication Reconciliation Technician - UNC Medical Center
- Pharmacy Technician/Intern - CVS Pharmacy
- Teaching Assistant, Pharmaceutics I & II - UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy
- Research Intern - San Antonio City Council
- Lab Assistant - The University of Texas at San Antonio
Training
- CPhT 2015, state registered in TX, MO, NC 2015-2023
- North Carolina Association of Pharmacists (NCAP) Emerging Leaders Certificate - 5/2024
- NCAP Opioid Stewardship Certificate - 1/2024
- Mental Health First Aid Certification - 2/2023
- Safe Zone Ally Certification - 10/2021
- Immunization Certification 10/2020
- BLS Certified - AHA 9/2020
What are you interested in? Dream job? Long-term goals?
- Oncology, Infectious Diseases, Emergency Medicine
- Dream job: CPP
- Long-term goals: complete a PGY2, become board certified, eventually transition to the regulatory field
Favorite hobbies, favorite restaurants, favorite foods, what do you do in your free time?
- Free time: manage my tropical plant business, play with my dogs, spend time with my husband
- Favorite foods: French fries, carbonara, fried polenta, palabok (filipino dish)
What made you choose Johnston as your residency home?
I had the opportunity to spend a few APPE rotations at Johnston during my 4th year of pharmacy school. On day 1, I had never felt more welcome and appreciated. I loved the close-knit, family environment which I instantly became a part of. My interests were prioritized, staff members were invested in expanding my pharmacy knowledge, I was given unique learning opportunities that made it hard to leave at the end of every rotation! I also connected with Dr. Jay Renfrow and Dr. Toni Currin, who became my mentors and supporters as I wrapped up my final year of pharmacy school and pursued residency. When I returned to Johnston after finding out that I had matched, the Johnston pharmily was so excited and celebrated the news with me - that was the moment I knew I had made the right decision ranking Johnston as my top choice.
What made you pursue pharmacy?
My parents are both RNs so I grew up hearing stories about patient symptoms and medical interventions. I was awe with the thought that my own parents helped to heal others. I knew from that point on, I wanted to do the same thing someday. In middle school, my mom faced many obstacles with her health and was placed on a number of medications. During a visit to the pharmacy, I listened as the pharmacist discussed each medication thoroughly. These medications sounded like an entirely different language to me yet his words put my mother at ease. At that moment, I knew I wanted to speak that language and provide that same relief to patients someday, too.
Where are you from? Where did you grow up? Where do you live now?
I am from good ole Wilson, NC. I was born in Greenville but grew up in Wilson. Currently, I live in Four Oaks, NC.
Information about your education. Previous training, degrees, jobs?
After high school, I went to East Carolina University where I obtained a bachelor’s in foreign language. For pharmacy, I attended Campbell University College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences. Before attending Campbell for pharmacy school, I worked at Wilson Medical Center and UNC NASH for nearly nine years between the two as a CPhT. In those years, I worked in the main pharmacy in Wilson as an inpatient pharmacy technician delivering medications to the floors, working in the main pharmacy, working in the IV room, and working in the emergency department as their medication reconciliation technician. At UNC NASH, I worked as a pharmacy program assistant and mobile medication technician.
What are you interested in? Dream job? Long-term goals?
In the field of pharmacy, I am most interested in a mix of internal medicine and emergency medicine. My dream job would be to be positioned within the hospital setting working alongside other practitioners in direct patient care whether that be on a unit, floor or floating around the hospital. My long-term goal is to find a small community hospital setting to practice pharmacy but also help develop practices and formats that better help the hospital and community. I can also see myself as an adjust teaching instructor as needed for pharmacy students.
Favorite hobbies, favorite restaurants, favorite foods, what do you do in your free time?
In my free time, I like to fly my newest model drone (I have 3 of them), taking aerial photographs of nature and interesting scenery. My favorite restaurants tend to be Mediterranean or Thai, however, my favorite cuisine is Thai food.
What made you choose Johnston as your residency home?
I have always enjoyed smaller community-setting hospitals as compared to larger ones. I feel more at home in a community hospital where it is very likely that you are taking care of someone you know and working with someone you know. This is the type of setting that I have worked in for years. I believe Johnston has this type of setting and it was very appealing to me.
What made you pursue pharmacy?
I knew since high school that I wanted to practice a form of medicine. At that time, I was not sure what type of medicine. However, after I began thinking about my characteristics such as I enjoy communicating with people, I enjoy teaching, I enjoy figuring out what works best, and I also enjoy seeing people get well. From there, I knew what field of medicine I wanted to be in – pharmacy. It did not hurt that I was also fairly decent in science and math classes in school.
