Hiep Dinh

I chose U.K. because of the basketball program and the prestigious pharmacy program. Why wouldn’t anyone want to go to a renowned pharmacy program? Going into the program, the U.K. College of Pharmacy was ranked 3rd in the nation among all pharmacy colleges. Once I was accepted, I knew that I would be receiving one of the best educations possible in the field of pharmacy. U.K. is also close to home for me since I am from Frankfort.

On working in a pharmacy

I shadowed a pharmacist to get a general idea of what actually occurs in the pharmacy but I received most of my experience when I was hired at Rite Aid Pharmacy to work as a Pharmacy Technician. I worked at Rite Aid for 4 years before entering the Pharm.D. program.

What do you love most about U.K.?

U.K. basketball and the fans. I also love the diversity, different organizations, many opportunities, and how helpful the staff is at the college of pharmacy. Again, the main thing I love about the College of Pharmacy is the support from my fellow colleagues. When I applied, they told me that I was going to find life long friendships with my classmates and it’s true. The campus is also very inviting and it makes me feel like I am at home.

Hiep’s advice

Don’t get discouraged! Don’t give up on anything you try. The first time I applied to pharmacy school, I was rejected from the program. I was also told that pharmacy wasn’t for me and that I should change my major to something I am better at. I knew that pharmacy was for me and I was going to do everything I could to get into the program because there was nothing else that I could see myself doing. I worked extremely hard at it, reapplied, and look where I’m at now! I am finally on the pathway of fulfilling my dream to become a pharmacist. The hardest part is getting into pharmacy school, but once you are in, you’re set. If you see yourself as a pharmacist, I would not let anyone get in your way of achieving your dream.

Plans following graduation

I am really not sure what I will pursue after graduation. I am only a first year student and I know that there are so many opportunities with the Pharm.D. degree. My passion has always been to help people and I hope to do that with this degree. I currently work in a community pharmacy and I enjoy what I do inside the pharmacy. I also love the many relationships that I have developed with the patients that come into the pharmacy. I hope to one day have my own community pharmacy and be able to develop those same relationships! There are endless opportunities with the PharmD degree, therefore I am not exactly sure what I want to do after I graduate.