Meet Rileigh Rahrig, a student pharmacist at Ohio Northern University College of Pharmacy, where she is making the most of every moment—both in and out of the classroom. From tackling challenging coursework to building meaningful connections with classmates, Rileigh approaches every opportunity with curiosity, enthusiasm, and heart. Her journey into pharmacy reflects not only a love of science and patient care, but also a deep desire to make a difference in people’s lives. Continue reading to learn how Rileigh discovered her passion for pharmacy, the lessons she’s learned along the way, and the rewarding moments that remind her she’s exactly where she’s meant to be.

How did you choose your pharmacy school?

I chose ONU originally because of its close location to my home which allowed me to live at my parents' house and commute to campus each year and save money. I also really liked the 0-6 program offered at ONU that would allow me to learn more about pharmacy from the very beginning of my college career.

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

I wish I would have known and understood the true intensity of pharmacy school, especially in the last few years when clinical modules begin. It would have been helpful to know how stressful it can be to balance all of my responsibilities while in school. I also wish I would have known how passionate I would become about the profession of pharmacy because it would have made me less anxious about starting pharmacy school and college in general.

Why did you choose pharmacy?

I have always known that I wanted to go into the healthcare field because I love helping others, but I also love science and understanding why things are the way they are. Ultimately I chose pharmacy because these two passions of mine could be combined and put together in order to give me a greater sense of fulfillment within my career.

Describe your career path and how you got into pharmacy.

I applied to ONU's 0-6 direct admit program when I was a senior in high school and got accepted, so I have been submerged in the field of pharmacy from day 1 of my college career. I have had many unique experiences throughout my 5 years in the program so far, and these experiences have all strengthened my desire to become a pharmacist. I have worked as an intern in hospital pharmacy for many years, and this has increased my desire to pursue a clinical pharmacist role. I am also part of AACP's Aspiring Academics program this year to help me learn more about the world of pharmacy academia. Ultimately, I hope to have an impact on both students and patients in my role as a pharmacist in the future.

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

I spend the majority of my day at school in lectures and studying for exams. I am currently taking Infectious Disease and Oncology modules, so I spend a lot of time learning and reviewing the concepts taught in these lectures. When I am not studying or in class, I like to get coffee with my friends, snuggle with my two cats at home, and spend time with my sister who also goes to college at ONU.

Describe the most rewarding aspects of your career.

I love being able to help others through pharmacy. I want to work both in the hospital setting as well as in academia, so I enjoy helping patients, providers, and students. Being sick and in the hospital can be a scary and stressful time for patients and their families, and I like being able to provide reassurance to the patients that they are being cared for by taking care of their medication needs. I also have a passion for learning, so I enjoy working with others to help them learn new things and advance themselves within the field of pharmacy.

Describe the most challenging aspect of your career.

Pharmacy is an ever-evolving world, so it can be challenging to keep up with all of the guideline changes and differing recommendations that can occur. While it can become overwhelming trying to keep up with these changes, I also think it is a good opportunity for pharmacists to constantly advance themselves and continue learning so that we can give patients the best possible care.

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

I would encourage current pharmacy students to carry an open mindset focusing on learning throughout pharmacy school. It can be so stressful trying to study all the material before an exam, and passing your exams and getting good grades is important. However, I think that actually learning and understanding the material is more important than simply getting a good grade because it allows you to apply this knowledge to patients more easily. Everyone will have a time during their pharmacy learning process when they will not do as well as they hoped they would. I have learned that it is important to look at your failures as opportunities to learn something you may have missed rather than taking it as a personal failure. At the end of the day, the most important part of being a student is learning as much as you can in order to properly care for patients in the future.

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

Last year, I did some of my IPPE hours at a local hospital, and we spent time counseling patients on the new medications they were started on after being admitted. Many times these patients did not know what medications they were on or why they were started on them, and it gave me an opportunity to help them understand their situation more clearly. One elderly woman in particular invited me to sit at her bedside and spend time with her. She was the last patient I had to counsel that day, so I sat down and talked to her about her medications and disease states. Then, she told me all about her family, grandkids, and pets while I just sat and listened. Eventually, she started opening up to me about how nervous she was about her disease and being in the hospital. I had a conversation with her to help ease her fears and left after she was feeling better. It was so rewarding to see the impact I had on that patient in real time, and knowing that I helped ease her anxiety reinforced my excitement for becoming a pharmacist one day soon.

Describe how you manage or school/life balance.

Most days, my school/work/life balance isn't very balanced. I spend most of my time focusing on school and studying throughout the day and on weekends. I work once a week at the hospital in addition to some weekends, so this can make it a bit more difficult to balance. I also spend a lot of time at home with my family in the evenings, but I usually study at the same time. While my life really isn't very balanced, I have an amazing support system of family and friends who understand the importance that school takes in my life, and they give me the time and space to do the things I need to do in order to be successful.

Share any additional comments or fun facts.

I recently got engaged!