Student of the Month Spotlight: February 2021
THANH MAI, THIRD YEAR DOCTOR OF PHARMACY CANDIDATE FROM SPRINGFIELD, MA
Meet Thanh Mai! Thanh is a third year PharmD student who currently serves as President of the college’s chapters of the National Community Pharmacists Association and the Industry Pharmacist Organization, and serves as Secretary for the American Society of Consultant Pharmacists chapter. She was a recipient of an American Foundation for Pharmaceutical Education scholarship, which allowed her to participate in the 2020 Summer Research Exchange Mentorship Program where she assisted faculty at Roosevelt University (Chicago, IL) with research on comorbid depression in respiratory conditions. Their research was presented at the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists 2020 Midyear meeting. Thanh is employed as a pharmacy intern at Big Y World Class Markets in Springfield. She is a 2017 graduate of the University of Massachusetts, earning a bachelor of arts degree in chemistry. Thanh was nominated for Student of the Month by Associate Professor Dr. David Baker.
Interview with Thanh:
Why did you choose Western New England University?
I had interviewed several pharmacy schools, and WNE clicked with me the most. I preferred the smaller campus and class size, as it was a refreshing change from my undergrad education. I also knew a few people who went to WNE for the pharmacy program who had positive things to say about their experience here; that was also a factor in convincing me to attend.
Please share your thoughts about the pharmacy program at Western New England University.
The pharmacy program is very challenging, and I believe that it prepares you very well to be successful in whatever route you decide to pursue in pharmacy. There are also many student organizations to explore and become involved in, which can increase your exposure to a variety of different niches within the pharmacy profession. The smaller class sizes give you more one-on-one time with the faculty; it is very nice that they know you by name, and that I don’t feel like just a number to them. The faculty here are also amazing, they always greet you with smiling faces and show that they care!
What are your current career aspirations?
At this point in time, I am currently unsure as to what I would like to do after obtaining my PharmD. There is an overwhelming amount of career paths you could take in pharmacy and I would like to keep my eyes open to one that I could dedicate my life to. My number one goal is to get a job! No matter what pathway I choose, I will always use the skills I’ve developed in pharmacy school to the best of my abilities.
What advice would you provide to a student considering pharmacy for a career?
I would suggest exploring the market and doing their research prior to attending pharmacy school. Pharmacy isn’t just community (retail) practice; there are lots of things you can do with a PharmD degree, and few people know this. Just know that whatever career pathway in pharmacy they choose, it must always come with compassion and a drive for the betterment of a patient and their health.
Thanh’s Faculty Advisor (Kim Pesaturo, PharmD, Assistant Professor of Pharmacy Practice) shared the following thoughts:
When I first met Thanh, I was immediately struck by her sense of professional responsibility, considerations of future direction, and forward-thinking ability within the profession of pharmacy. Thanh stands out as incredibly hardworking, intelligent, thoughtful, and respectful. I find Thanh to be well-deserving of this award!
Learn more about the opportunities available to our students by visiting our student organizations page here.