Pharmacy Application Was Only Nine Years Old

Pharmacy application was only nine years old when my grandmother was diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease. We were still living in Iran at the time, where my mother worked fulltime as a nurse. My grandmother had practically raised me herself. With the diagnosis, it was now my turn to take care of grandmother.

A became very involved with grandmother's medication, learning about the different drugs she had to take and reminding her to take the pills on time. Over time, as the Alzheimer's progressed, the medication my grandmother was taking increased. While it became more challenging to keep up with the various pills and tablets, the early experience also piqued my interest in medicines and the various treatments used to ease the symptoms of diseases and to provide comfort to those who are ill.

Much has changed in my life since my grandmother's diagnosis with Alzheimer's Disease. I had since graduated from high school, where I earned the highest grade point average and graduated as valedictorian. I began to cultivate a stronger interest in the sciences. These early efforts culminated in my being chosen to represent my school in the largest national Science Competition in Iran.

More importantly, our family moved to the United States six years ago, where my grandmother had greater access to more sophisticated drugs and the latest treatment for her illness.

I have met more people who are suffering from the effects of this disease, and learned more about the different drugs being developed to address Alzheimer's Disease and other illnesses that plague the elderly.

Unfortunately, more than a decade (?) after she was first diagnosed, my grandmother succumbed to the effects of Alzheimer's Disease in 2002.

This early experiences with illness and medicine have contributed greatly to my interest in the field of pharmacy. Towards this, I moved to Florida in 2001 to major in Biology at the Valencia Community College. While a student, I also tutored students in other science subjects, including Mathematics and Chemistry.

In addition, I have also begun working in the medical field, as a give position in a dental office during the summer of 2003. Through this job, I have formed important connections and had a chance to apply my book learning firsthand in the medical field.

I am confident that this academic and work background in the sciences will provide a solid foundation for further studies in the field of pharmacy.

In addition to my interest in its scientific aspect, I am also attracted to the social service aspect of a career in pharmacy. By dispensing medicine and information, pharmacists are in a unique position to be directly involved in the lives of their patients. In addition, I know that many pharmacists lend their expertise to the community by giving advice regarding minor conditions and over the counter remedies.