Reflecting on Her Journey

A Visit with Inaugural Class Valedictorian

Publication Date: 04/06/2020

Fisch College of Pharmacy alumna Ngoc Nguyen grew up in the small coastal town of Quy Nhon in Vietnam, a far different atmosphere than where she ended up — in the heart of East Texas.

After attending college in Vietnam, she decided to pursue more educational opportunities in the United States. Upon completing two years of undergraduate studies in Dallas, she transferred to UT Tyler in 2013.

Nguyen credits UT Tyler’s pharmacy school for her career success. Specifically, she appreciated not only the college’s team-based learning curriculum but also the personal attention she received from faculty.

“Even though I was far from my home country in Texas, UT Tyler became a second home to me. I could feel that UT Tyler truly cared about students’ success,” Nguyen said. “All the support that I received from the school helped me sail through a difficult and competitive process in order to be where I am at today.”

Nguyen, who graduated as the college’s inaugural class valedictorian, first learned about UT Tyler after her husband relocated to Longview for his medical residency.

“Being a physician himself, my husband inspired me to work in the healthcare field. He is a role model for hard work and perseverance,” Nguyen said. “I think pharmacy suits me because it combines the science in making pharmaceutical products and the communication skills in delivering recommendations to patients and providers.”

After her graduation, the couple returned to Dallas, where she is currently a pharmacy practice resident at Methodist Dallas Medical Center. The one-year residency training provides the skill set to practice as a clinical pharmacist. Nguyen’s regular duties include working alongside research and medical teams and providing recommendations on therapeutics for patients.

“I want to ultimately work with cancer patients and chemotherapies,” Nguyen said. “I feel fortunate to provide aid to patients and empower them to take care of their health.”

So, what advice does Nguyen give to current UT Tyler pharmacy students? She encourages them to take advantage of the college’s available resources.

“Go to your faculty for advice, ask the Office of Student Affairs for support, and stay involved in serving the community while in school,” she said. “This will enrich your experience and make you more competent in serving your patients in the future.”

During free time, Nguyen enjoys cooking, participating in community service activities and spending time with her husband, Solomon, and their rat terrier, Cocoa.

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