About Sam

Why did you create this website?

I want to change how Pharmacists are perceived. Most people view Pharmacists as the ‘person behind the counter counting pills’. I want to inspire others to join me in radically changing the stereotypical perception of Pharmacists. I want the ‘face’ of the future Pharmacists to be those in non-traditional roles, such as roles in drug development. For goodness sake, preparing the next generation of Pharmacists is in the Oath.

I want to help more Pharmacists get into non-traditional roles. For example, there is an increasing demand for high-caliber professionals in regulatory affairs. I believe Pharmacists have the knowledge, training, and skill sets to help fill the talent needed in non-traditional Pharmacist roles, and I want to help prepare the next generation of Pharmacists take advantage of these opportunities. I have already helped a number of individuals (Pharmacists and non-pharmacists) break into the ‘industry’.

Student loan debt. Talking about student loan debt in pharmacy school is taboo. Pharmacy graduates are overwhelmed with student loan debt. What were the two things that changed my financial situation? Becoming financially literate and unapologetically choosing to pursue a career in Regulatory Affairs. I am not afraid to have conversations about student loan debt, and I want to inspire you to get control of your personal finances like I have.

I want to bring attention to the small biotech/pharma companies that want to make medicine better. I like to stay up to date with companies doing cool science hoping to change medicine and help patients in need. I think it is small companies that change medicine and taking the largest risks for patients. In my opinion, small companies also have the largest opportunities for Pharmacists to grow professionally. I write about these companies to help you stay informed and extract insights that you may find interesting.

Who even are you?

I am the first child of immigrant parents who did all they could to ensure their children had the best opportunities in America. I grew up not seeing my parents often because they were worked a lot to put food on the table and keep the bills paid. At the time the only career options laid out to me were ‘nurse’ or ‘engineer’, yet here I am.

I did not go to a top undergraduate or pharmacy school. Despite all this, I was able to begin my career at a blue-chip biotechnology company right out of graduate school. I then made the shift from working at a large corporate enterprise into a small pharmaceutical company. I currently work at a small biopharmaceutical company that uses its expertise to discover and develop novel therapeutics that address serious unmet medical needs in patients with cancers associated with abnormal gene expression. I continue to live the life I envisioned, and I am so thankful to be doing so.

Why should I care?

A number of people (including Pharmacists!) think that going to pharmacy school is a horrible return on investment due to all the student loan debt you will be straddled with to work a job that provides minimal personal and professional satisfaction. Over my journey to date, I also have learned that I would not be where I am if I had not met the right people and gotten proper mentorship. Unfortunately, not everyone can be that lucky.

If you would be interested in personalized help with your professional goals, then reach out!