Meet Mark Hanin, a student who's journey into pharmacy is deeply rooted in his desire to serve, educate, and uplift communities—values shaped by his early experiences growing up in Egypt and later, as an immigrant in the United States. Currently a student at the University of Southern California Alfred E. Mann School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences (USC Mann), Mark brings a thoughtful, service-driven approach to his work, both in and out of the classroom. From volunteering at shelters and libraries to speaking at hospitals and hosting educational events, Mark’s path reflects a commitment to accessible healthcare and community empowerment. In this blog post, he shares the questions that guided his pharmacy school decision, how the COVID-19 pandemic helped solidify his calling, and the lessons he’s learning along the way.

How did you choose your pharmacy school?

The choice was not easy as I was asking myself a lot of questions in the process. I was asking myself where do I want to be for the next 4 years of my life, where do I envision myself practicing pharmacy and considering other factors. As I was processing through these questions, I found myself leaning towards USC as I knew that the alumni network there would create opportunities for me to foster connections and relationships. I also found a home in California when I immigrated to the United States and knew this was where I would like to practice pharmacy. Outside of that, I wanted to be part of a program that was well-established and provided me with the resources I needed to learn more about the pharmacy profession both inside and outside of the didactic setting. In the end, I just knew that USC was the place to be at as it checked all the boxes.

What do you wish you had known before applying to pharmacy or graduate school?

I really wish I had known more about the various career paths pharmacy had to offer. This would have helped me come in with a more open mind about how I could use my degree to advance my career aspirations as a pharmacist. Not only that, but it would have encouraged me to branch out a bit earlier in my pharmacy school career rather than later as I was learning more about the profession. I am still in pharmacy school, so I know I will make the most of the time I have left to prepare for my future career. 

Why did you choose pharmacy?

I chose pharmacy because of my passion for community service, education, and healthcare. Growing up in Egypt, the challenges I experienced living in underserved communities helped shape much of my worldview. I observed how a lack of education and resources can affect families as they confront the reality of living with disease and are in desperate need of support. When I immigrated to the United States, I saw that distinction more clearly during the times I volunteered at shelters caring for the unhoused, or at local libraries, schools, and hospitals, supporting the community.

Pharmacists are the most accessible healthcare providers. They are often the providers that community members reach out to with questions that their primary care doctors may not be able to answer. Not only that, but the relationships we build with community members and other healthcare providers alike change lives. After all, we are also community members who want our communities to be better places, and this is what ultimately motivates me to pursue my passion for becoming a pharmacist.

Describe your career path and how you got into pharmacy.

My career path into pharmacy was a path full of surprises. I had a lot of career interests growing up, from healthcare all the way to law and public policy. It was only when the COVID-19 pandemic began that I found myself leaning towards healthcare. Working in the emergency department in 2020, when the world seemed to be ending, I appreciated the impact healthcare workers had at this critical moment in time. The way we connected with community members coming in as we were triaging and admitting them to the appropriate hospital department, resonated with me. I saw the comfort in people’s eyes when they knew there was someone they could listen to and rely on for advice, assurance, and affirmation.

In 2021, I observed the role pharmacists played in vaccine administration efforts and ensuring individuals were continuing to receive their medications. It made me realize how important pharmacists were as a resource not only for our healthcare system, but also for our communities overall. Pharmacists are consequential and this was what helped me decide to pursue pharmacy.

What does a typical workday/school day look like for you?

Right now, I am completing my Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experiences (APPEs). This means that most of my days are usually spent working on-site or preparing for the next day. Typically, I wake up early in the morning to work on any tasks I need to work on for the day. This includes sending emails, completing assignments and projects I am working on, and getting ready. Afterwards, I arrive at my rotation site and complete my tasks for the day, which differ depending on the rotation itself.

For hospital rotations, this can be working up my patients before going on rounds for the rest of the morning. Afterwards, depending on what is planned for the day, we spend the afternoon either participating in topic discussions or journal clubs, presenting our assigned patients, alongside finishing various tasks. This includes tasks such as completing heparin or warfarin dosing calculations alongside TPNs and hospital discharge notes. 

For community pharmacy rotations, my days involve performing a variety of tasks, including filling prescriptions, patient counseling, conducting Comprehensive Medication Reviews, handling prescription transfers, alongside carrying out tasks pertaining to pharmacy management. After my workday, I wrap up by going back home and leaving for a nature walk to relax, or on select days, going out to the movies or shopping before getting ready for the next day.

Describe the most rewarding aspects of your career.

The relationships you build with community members and other healthcare providers are very rewarding as a pharmacist. As one of the more accessible healthcare providers, pharmacists play an important role in improving people’s quality of living by addressing their medication-related needs and helping manage their chronic disease conditions. You get to observe the comfort individuals have when they know pharmacists are a resource they can rely on for guidance. Outside of patient care, the opportunity to push myself to learn and grow every day is another rewarding aspect because there is always something new to learn in pharmacy. Not only in pharmacy, but in life.

Describe the most challenging aspect of your career.

I would say finding your niche within pharmacy can be challenging, especially if you’re learning more about the profession as you go. Having a PharmD degree provides you with a lot of career options to choose from, which makes the choice even more difficult. Not only that, but it is never easy to stay motivated when the going gets tough, especially when you are pursuing a career you never planned on pursuing until recently. That is, I always have to remind myself that not everything has to be planned in advance and that it is okay to pivot and make changes as I move forward in my career.

What advice would you give to a prospective student who is interested in pursuing a similar type of career in the future?

My advice would be to take every experience as a learning opportunity to both grow and expand your knowledge base. You are not going to like everything pharmacy has to offer, but that doesn’t mean that you should avoid challenging yourself. Experience builds on experience and sometimes the challenges you experience will transform you into becoming a better pharmacist. You never know what doors will open when you decide to pursue a career in pharmacy.

Share a brief story about a time you had a positive impact in your role.

During National Drug Take Back Day, I collaborated with a local Kaiser Permanente hospital to host a presentation focused on medication safety and breaking the stigma around substance use. One of the key topics I covered was Naloxone and how it can reverse opioid overdoses.

After the presentation, an elderly couple approached me and shared their heartfelt story about their son’s battle with addiction. We had an open and honest conversation about the risks of opioid medications and the importance of being prepared for potential overdoses. We both agreed that having Naloxone on hand is essential, especially when someone is prescribed opioids. It’s a way to be proactive in supporting loved ones through their struggles.

I also made sure to provide them with various resources, so they left feeling empowered and knowing they weren’t alone in this struggle. This experience really highlighted for me the vital role pharmacists play in our communities. We’re community members as much as we’re healthcare providers who can make a difference beyond the pharmacy walls.

Describe how you manage school/life balance.

I know it’s easier said than done, but I’m a huge fan of checking things off my list, so I rely on creating a “To Do List.” It keeps me organized and gives me a clear picture of what I need to work on and what’s still left afterwards. I also make it a point to check my calendar every day. This not only helps me stay productive but also ensures I create some time for myself to decompress after a busy day.

Outside of work and school, I love scheduling outings to explore the world around me. Whether it’s visiting museums, going on hikes, checking out local shopping malls, or enjoying a day at an amusement park, I make sure to have fun along the way. I even keep up with my AMC Stubs Membership by catching the latest movies! Balancing work and school is extremely tough, but I do not forget to remind myself of the beauty life has to offer.

Share any additional comments or fun facts.

I binge-watched all 8 original Harry Potter movies on a single airplane flight, which lasted 24 hours.

As a child, I was a performer for a traveling Italian Circus where I would perform before the lions came out.