Get to Know AMCP Foundation's 2022 Summer Interns
We are pleased to welcome the 2022 class of summer interns. These rising pharmacists are gaining real-world experience through our internships at host sites including health plans, PBMs, industry, and AMCP Foundation. Special thanks go out to our funding partners: AbbVie, Inc., Genentech, Inc., and Pfizer, Inc.
Nadia Aldahiri
School: Belmont University, College of Pharmacy
Anticipated Graduation Date: May 2024
Internship Site: AMCP Foundation/Pfizer Managed Care Summer Internship at Independent Health
What is your zodiac sign?
Aquarius
What personality trait is most true about you according to your zodiac sign?
Humanitarian and independent
Why did you choose to go to pharmacy school?
I have always loved how innovative pharmacy is, being constantly evolving is something I am very passionate about. It is the most evolving and progressing field in the entire medical field. A great example of how evolving it is is the constantly evolving HIV and HBC medications to the point that my professor mentioned that she changes the slides every year. Another great example is the COVID-19 vaccine. I have always wanted to be part of this evolving society and help humanity in so many ways. The other part of why is because I have always wanted to advocate for people and found that through pharmacy I can advocate for people in so many different ways and help change their lives.
What is your favorite pharmacy school class?
Self-care (OTCs class)
What is your hidden talent?
Cooking and Mortal Kombat
At what job would you be terrible?
Hair stylist
If you could meet anyone dead or alive, who would it be? Why?
Both my grandfathers who passed away way before I was born. They were best friends and had an great bond. They worked very hard and established the first ice factory in Iraq back in the 1930s. I am not familiar with how it feels to have a grandfather and I have always heard my friends talk about how great it is to have a grandfather, I always wanted to experience that feeling, to get to talk to them and gain a great knowledge and life advice from them. One of them was a very educated and had a magnificent library, they say he almost could answer any question and was a consultant for many famous political figures in Iraq due to his wisdom and knowledge, so I would have loved to gain some great advices and perspective from him.
If you had to choose only 3 adjectives to describe yourself, which would you choose?
Driven, Kind, Inquisitive
Nikhil Bhatia
School: University of Georgia, School of Pharmacy
Anticipated Graduation Date: May 2024
Internship Site: AMCP Foundation Managed Care Research & Nonprofit Leadership
What is your zodiac sign?
Libra!
What personality trait is most true about you according to your zodiac sign?
I tend to be tactful and logical.
Why did you choose to go to pharmacy school?
I wanted to combine my clinical aspirations with a field that specialized in constant innovation. Research such as drug discovery and HEOR looked enticing, which eventually led me to obtain a MBA in addition to my PharmD.
What is your favorite pharmacy school class?
I liked Pharmaceutics the most as it was the first class that formally subjected me to the nontraditional sides of pharmacy. We were taught to look at a medication scientifically instead of purely therapeutically. I realized that out of all my classes that semester, I looked forward to attending this one the most.
What is your hidden talent?
My hidden talent is my culinary ability. I constantly lead group and holiday dinners! I try a new recipe at least once a week and I love trying out new ingredients!
At what job would you be terrible?
I most likely would be terrible at being a construction worker due to being so nervous about the danger!
If you could meet anyone dead or alive, who would it be? Why?
I probably would want to meet Lionel Messi, simply due to how I think of him as a living legend. He has been inspirational as he has overcome a lot of doubt and introduced me to my favorite sport. He also expresses immense loyalty and humility of which I try to emulate.
If you had to choose only 3 adjectives to describe yourself, which would you choose?
Loyal, Gentle, Rational
Zachary Brunko
School: University of Minnesota, College of Pharmacy Twin Cities
Anticipated Graduation Date: 2024
Internship Site: AMCP Foundation Health Disparities Summer Intern at Magellan Rx Management
What is your zodiac sign?
Aquarius
What personality trait is most true about you according to your zodiac sign?
The personality trait I would have to go with is calm. It makes life easier if you’re able to keep your head!
Why did you choose to go to pharmacy school?
I wanted to get involved in healthcare and pharmacy really stuck out to me as a generally well-respected profession that patients trust.
What is your favorite pharmacy school class?
Cardiology
What is your hidden talent?
I enjoy singing karaoke
At what job would you be terrible?
Skydiving Instructor
If you could meet anyone dead or alive, who would it be? Why?
George Lucas the man created a fantastic franchise and worked with some of the best actresses and actors in the movie industry.
If you had to choose only 3 adjectives to describe yourself, which would you choose?
Calm, Quiet, Passionate
Justin Chong
School: Purdue University, School of Pharmacy
Anticipated Graduation Date: May 2024
Internship Site: AMCP Foundation/Pfizer Managed Care Summer Internship at Cigna
What is your zodiac sign?
Libra
What personality trait is most true about you according to your zodiac sign?
Libras are diplomatic and natural peacemakers. I relate with this trait the most because I always try to consider everyone’s feelings and hope to achieve peaceful resolutions in a situation.
Why did you choose to go to pharmacy school?
Pharmacy as a profession is very versatile. I personally value change and new challenges a lot because it allows room for personal and professional growth. I believe the flexibility of a PharmD degree can make it possible.
What is your favorite pharmacy school class?
My favorite pharmacy school class is Pharmacogenomics. This emerging field is projected to have a lot of potential in the near future with precision medicine. I believe health outcomes could vastly improve if we account differences in people’s genes, environments, and lifestyles and deliver personalized drug therapies to the right patients at the right time.
What is your hidden talent?
Perfect Pitch.
At what job would you be terrible?
I would not be a great pilot because my indecisiveness could sometimes hinder me from making quick decisions.
If you could meet anyone dead or alive, who would it be? Why?
I would love to cook with Gordon Ramsay.
If you had to choose only 3 adjectives to describe yourself, which would you choose?
Detail-oriented, diplomatic, and compassionate.
Vy Do
School: Creighton University School of Pharmacy & Health Professions
Anticipated Graduation Date: May 2023
Internship Site: AMCP Foundation/Genentech Evidence for Access Summer Internship
Why did you decide to complete another AMCP Foundation Internship?
I decided to apply for another AMCP Foundation internship because after talking to Daniele Anina (2021 Genentech intern), her experience sounded very interesting and aligned with what I wanted to do after graduation. Furthermore, it has been a joy working with Ebony Clay and other AMCP / AMCP Foundation staff!
What AMCP Foundation Internship did you complete in 2021?
I completed the AMCP Foundation/Pfizer, Inc. Managed Care internship at Independent Health. I had an amazing experience with my preceptors Dr. Mark Wrobel, Dr. Ying-Fen Swagler, and Pfizer Medical Outcomes Specialist Dr. Brian Gucwa. My perspective about the internship is available on AMCP Foundation’s website.
What is your zodiac sign?
Pisces
What personality trait is most true about you according to your zodiac sign?
I enjoy being alone, sleeping, and listening to music. This is not always true but is correct to a significant extent.
Why did you choose to go to pharmacy school?
I want a versatile degree while also being able to help others live a comfortable life.
What is your favorite pharmacy school class?
My favorite class this year is Therapeutics. I learned a lot more about complicated disease states and was able to apply new knowledge when caring for patients.
What is your hidden talent?
Organizing my planner with stickers and colors while also making it my diary. I make sure to note the progress on tasks that I have yet finished.
At what job would you be terrible?
Being a nurse. I absolutely admire and appreciate nurses, but it is simply not the career for me.
If you could meet anyone dead or alive, who would it be? Why?
Emma Watson. She’s an icon.
If you had to choose only 3 adjectives to describe yourself, which would you choose?
Analytical, compassionate, kind
Leena Jamaleddin
School: University of Minnesota, College of Pharmacy
Anticipated Graduation Date: May 2024
Internship Site: AMCP Foundation/Pfizer Managed Care Summer Internship at Prime Therapeutics
What is your zodiac sign?
Pisces
What personality trait is most true about you according to your zodiac sign?
Adaptable
Why did you choose to go to pharmacy school?
To bridge the health literacy gap by improving access to healthcare for underserved populations.
What is your favorite pharmacy school class?
Clinical and Pharmacy Management in Modern U.S. Health-Care and Regulatory Landscape. Through this class, I was introduced to the non-traditional roles of pharmacy and developed a deeper understanding of the managed care field.
What is your hidden talent?
Cooking
At what job would you be terrible?
Technology support
If you could meet anyone dead or alive, who would it be? Why?
Steve Jobs. I admire his contribution to the innovative approach to design and technology.
If you had to choose only 3 adjectives to describe yourself, which would you choose?
Thoughtful, driven, and hard-working.
Alin Kalayjian
School: University of Washington, School of Pharmacy
Anticipated Graduation Date: June 2023
Internship Site: AMCP Foundation/Pfizer Managed Care Summer Internship at Priority Health
What is your zodiac sign?
Virgo
What personality trait is most true about you according to your zodiac sign?
Independent
Why did you choose to go to pharmacy school?
When I was younger, my father, who’s a retired physician, would bring medication samples home. I would open the package insert and read the formulation without completely understanding. Over time, my interest grew in learning about medication mechanism of actions and decided to become a pharmacist.
What is your favorite pharmacy school class?
Infectious Disease Therapeutics
What is your hidden talent?
Writing fictional stories
At what job would you be terrible?
School Counselor
If you could meet anyone dead or alive, who would it be? Why?
I would like to meet Adam Driver because he is very inspiring with his philanthropic work and I admire him as an actor.
If you had to choose only 3 adjectives to describe yourself, which would you choose?
Adaptable, passionate, generous
Zach Nunemaker
School: University of Iowa, College of Pharmacy
Anticipated Graduation Date: May 2024
Internship Site: AMCP Foundation/Pfizer Managed Care Summer Internship at HealthPartners
What is your zodiac sign?
Gemini
What personality trait is most true about you according to your zodiac sign?
Impulsive
Why did you choose to go to pharmacy school?
There are a couple reasons why I chose to go to pharmacy school. First off, I had many family friends that work in managed care pharmacy and talking to them about their careers inspired me to pursue this route. Another reason I wanted to pursue pharmacy is because cancer is quite prevalent in my family, and I would like to specialize in oncology to learn more about treatments and how to make these medications more affordable for people needing them.
What is your favorite pharmacy school class?
Endocrine
What is your hidden talent?
I taught myself how to do a standing backflip.
At what job would you be terrible?
Babysitting currently, but hopefully that improves someday.
If you could meet anyone dead or alive, who would it be? Why?
LeBron James because I have been a fan of his since he got drafted to the NBA in 2003, and he has been my favorite athlete ever since. If we had the chance to meet in person, maybe I could convince him to help me pay for my tuition after I beat him one on one.
If you had to choose only 3 adjectives to describe yourself, which would you choose?
Ambitious, Flexible, and Organized
Avi Patel
School: University of Florida College, of Pharmacy
Anticipated Graduation Date: 2024
Internship Site: AMCP Foundation/Pfizer Oncology Summer Internship at Humana
What is your zodiac sign?
Virgo
What personality trait is most true about you according to your zodiac sign?
Being practical, as a Boy Scout at heart I will always come up with the practical solution over the pretty one.
Why did you choose to go to pharmacy school?
I wanted to make sure that however I was helping my patients that I could provide some type of solution. Pharmacy is unique in the fact that almost all of its solutions are tangible or testable.
What is your favorite pharmacy school class?
Our class on pharmacodynamics as I was doing research on it at the same time so I could see things in the lab and then in a lab a few days later.
What is your hidden talent?
Being able to make the weirdest sounds.
At what job would you be terrible?
An elementary school teacher. I can teach older students but kids between the age of 3-8 scare. Me.
If you could meet anyone dead or alive, who would it be? Why?
Otto von Bismarck, he was a visionary beyond his time.
If you had to choose only three adjectives to describe yourself, which would you choose?
Resourceful, Driven, Empathic – As per my roommate.
Lauren Perez
School: University of New Mexico, College of Pharmacy
Anticipated Graduation Date: May 2023
Internship Site: AMCP Foundation/AbbVie Specialized Summer Internship in HEOR
What is your zodiac sign?
Gemini (Virgo rising, Pisces moon)
What personality trait is most true about you according to your zodiac sign?
Curious… I’m always wondering why and how.
Why did you choose to go to pharmacy school?
I was becoming really interested in alternative medicine and wanted to learn more about their mechanisms of action.
What is your favorite pharmacy school class?
Pharmacoeconomics
What is your hidden talent?
Organizing…I’m a bit of a neat freak.
At what job would you be terrible?
Pet sitting…I would never want to give the pets back. Life would be constant heartbreak.
If you could meet anyone dead or alive, who would it be? Why?
Audrey Hepburn…she’s a fashion icon with a huge heart!
If you had to choose only 3 adjectives to describe yourself, which would you choose?
Focused, sensitive, and resourceful
Cassidy Slater
School: University of Florida, College of Pharmacy
Anticipated Graduation Date: May 2024
Internship Site: AMCP Foundation/Pfizer Oncology Summer Internship at CVS Health
What is your zodiac sign?
I am a Libra sun, Cancer moon, and Aquarius rising!
What personality trait is most true about you according to your zodiac sign?
My ability to adapt to different situations correlate with some of the strengths associated with Libras.
Why did you choose to go to pharmacy school?
I chose to goto pharmacy school because of the wide array of careers within the pharmacy profession. I also love science and being able to help others with their healthcare journey.
What is your favorite pharmacy school class?
My favorite class in pharmacy school so far has been Patient Care 3, which for us was directed towards drugs and disease states corresponding to the cardiovascular system. My second favorite class is lunch!
What is your hidden talent?
I can solve a Rubik’s cube!
At what job would you be terrible?
I would make a terrible electrician. I am 100% confident I would electrocute myself each time.
If you could meet anyone dead or alive, who would it be? Why?
I would meet Taylor Swift because I love her and her cats.
If you had to choose only 3 adjectives to describe yourself, which would you choose?
Personable, considerate, resilient.
Courtney Smith
School: Ohio Northern University, Rudolph H. Raabe College of Pharmacy
Anticipated Graduation Date: May 2024
Internship Site: AMCP Foundation/Pfizer Managed Care Summer Internship at Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey
What is your zodiac sign?
Pisces
What personality trait is most true about you according to your zodiac sign?
Adaptable
Why did you choose to go to pharmacy school?
Throughout the early 2000s, my father’s care team explored numerous agents to curb a tireless battle with Crohn’s Disease. After developing drug-induced lupus in response to one of the available treatment options, his gastroenterologist took a leap of faith and utilized an experimental therapy to manage his condition. This move served as a pivotal moment for my father and our family, and empowered my father to live independently of his disease. As a result, I was intrinsically inspired by the collaboration of his team and the power of therapeutics, and was driven to pursue a degree in pharmacy to learn more about medicine and aid others in achieving optimal outcomes.
What is your favorite pharmacy school class?
I enjoyed our “Pharmaceutical Sciences Module” which was a blend of pharmacokinetics as well as pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical aspects of dosage forms and delivery systems.
What is your hidden talent?
My hidden talent is that I have an eye for detail and design. I’ve been known to transform the spaces that I reside in, and also create social media content for some of Ohio Northern’s pharmacy organizations - including our AMCP chapter!
At what job would you be terrible?
I’d be a terrible musician. Despite many years of playing the violin, the only song that I can still play from memory is “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.”
If you could meet anyone dead or alive, who would it be? Why?
If I could meet anyone, it would be Allyson Felix. I admire Allyson for many reasons, including but not limited to her lasting impact on track and field and exemplary leadership. From being the most decorated female track and field athlete in Olympic history to using her platform to empower women, she is an inspiration of mine and I’d love to meet her someday.
If you had to choose only 3 adjectives to describe yourself, which would you choose?
Resilient, driven, compassionate.
Albert Truong
School: Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Pharmacy
Anticipated Graduation Date: June 2024
Internship Site: AMCP Foundation/Abbvie Specialized Summer Internship in HEOR
What is your zodiac sign?
Cancer
What personality trait is most true about you according to your zodiac sign?
I’ve been told that Cancers are knownbe compassionatepeople. I would have to agree with that statement.I love mentoring and helping people!
Why did you choose to go to pharmacy school?
I’ve always been interested in healthcare/medication accessand cost. I thought that pharmacy school would be a great place for me to learn more about these topics and I was right!
What is your favorite pharmacy school class?Evidence-Based Pharmacy What is your hidden talent?
Horseback riding! I took horsemanship classes at summer camp when I was in middle school.
At what job would you be terrible?
I would be a terrible artist.
If you could meet anyone dead or alive, who would it be? Why?
I would love to meet Albert Einstein. My parents named me after him, so I think it would be interesting to see how similar or different we are. Plus, it would be an honor to talk and learn from one of the great minds of the 20th century.
If you had to choose only 3 adjectives to describe yourself, which would you choose?
Compassionate, Loyal, and Curious
Lucas Zhou
School: University of Florida, College of Pharmacy
Anticipated Graduation Date: May 2024
Internship Site: AMCP Foundation/Genentech Evidence for Access Summer Internship
What is your zodiac sign?
Gemini
What personality trait is most true about you according to your zodiac sign?
According to astroyogi.com Gemini men are constantly seeking new experiences and surround themselves with people who can teach them new things. Would say that this is very true for me.
Why did you choose to go to pharmacy school?
I chose to go to pharmacy school because it would allow me to pursue my interest in both medicine and business. Also, my mom who knows me the best thought it would be a good fit for me.
What is your favorite pharmacy school class?
Med Chem 2 or Pharmacoeconomics
What is your hidden talent?
Hmm, I’m not sure maybe finding good food deals if that’s considered one.
At what job would you be terrible?
Probably a lawyer, it’s hard for me to read boring books.
If you could meet anyone dead or alive, who would it be? Why?
Jonny Kim, this guy was a former Navy Seal sniper, Harvard med trained doctor, and currently an astronaut for NASA. The fact that he seems like a humble down to earth guy just amazes me. Would love to hear some of his stories and how he is able to accomplish so much.
If you had to choose only 3 adjectives to describe yourself, which would you choose?
Adaptable, kind, and respectful.