Pittsford, N.Y.—Thomas Nguyen wants to be a pharmacist so he can help people.
Three years after enrolling in the Wegmans School of Pharmacy at St. John Fisher College, he’s helping more people than expected. Several of those being helped happen to share the same name. Thomas Nguyen’s brother, Danny, and cousins Michael and Thuy now attend Fisher.
“I'm almost honored they all took the same path,” said Thomas Nguyen.
Most transferred from other schools because of the program and to stay close to home. The Nguyens live in East Irondequoit and Greece.
The Meaning of Pharmacist
Each of the Nguyens say their interest in helping others motivated them to enroll at Fisher.
“As a pharmacist, you are kind of the first line of therapy or the first person advice, or medical advice for people when they come in,” Mike Nguyen said.
“To me it's building relationships and getting to know the patients on a personal level,” added Danny Nguyen.
Importance of Family
Thomas Nguyen blazed the trail for his relatives, but knew each would be capable of handling the demanding major, once they were accepted.
“I'm just really proud of them all they are doing really well for them,” Thomas Nguyen said.
As a senior, Thomas has been through virtually every part of the major and his experience has aided his cousins and brother.
“(He has helped with) study habits and (explaining) what to do after school,” Danny Nguyen said.
“We always hang out on the weekends, we can study together,” Mike Nguyen said.
Strong, selective Profession
St. John Fisher’s pharmacy program is a selective one. Only 80 of 800 applicants are accepted into the Wegmans School of Pharmacy each year according to a school spokesperson. Once in, they are all but guaranteed a job.
“To date, 100% of our graduates have found employment, many before graduation and the rest usually during the summer after graduation,” said Kate Torok, Senior Communications Specialist at St. John Fisher.
Entry level pharmacists in Western New York earn $89,690 per year with experienced ones getting $124,690 according to the New York State Department of Labor.
