Vishwanauth Persaud is a current student pharmacist at Touro College of Pharmacy. Driven by a passion for expanding medication access and creating a more equitable healthcare system, Vishwanauth chose his PharmD journey with intention and heart. As a first‑generation immigrant from Guyana, he saw early on how inconsistent access to medicines could shape lives, and those experiences pushed him toward a career where he could make change. Now in his final year, he’s building a career that blends science, policy, and patient advocacy—all while helping his peers find their own path in pharmacy.

How did you choose your pharmacy school?

When I was deciding where to attend pharmacy school, I was looking for a program where I would not feel like just another number in a large class. One of the things that stood out to me about Touro College of Pharmacy was the smaller class size and the supportive learning environment. It allows students to build real relationships with classmates and professors, which makes a big difference when you are going through a challenging program like pharmacy school.

I also appreciated how approachable many of the faculty members were. Having mentors who are willing to guide students, answer questions, and support professional development was very important to me. That mentorship and sense of community were major reasons why I felt Touro was the right place for me to pursue my PharmD.

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

One thing I wish I had known earlier is how overwhelming the application process can feel, especially when you are trying to navigate it mostly on your own. When I was first applying, there were many steps involved—applications, essays, deadlines, and understanding the expectations of different programs—and it could be stressful at times.

However, once I connected with admissions staff and mentors at Touro College of Pharmacy, the process became much easier to manage. They were very supportive and willing to answer questions and provide guidance. Looking back, I would tell future students not to be afraid to reach out for help. Having supportive mentors and advisors can make a big difference when navigating the path to pharmacy school.

Why did you choose pharmacy?

I chose pharmacy because I became interested in how medicines actually reach patients. Growing up as a first-generation immigrant from Guyana, I saw how access to medications could be very inconsistent. Sometimes, people could not get the medicines they needed simply because they were unavailable or too expensive. My interest grew further when I began working in community pharmacy. I saw that many barriers to treatment happen before a patient even receives their medication. Insurance coverage rules, prior authorizations, and formulary restrictions often delayed or prevented patients from starting therapy. Those experiences showed me that pharmacy is not just about dispensing medications; it is also about improving the systems that determine patient access. 

Describe your career path and how you got into pharmacy.

My path into pharmacy actually started in finance. When I first began college, I was studying business because I was interested in economics, markets, and how large systems work. Over time, I started realizing that many of the same financial and policy forces that shape markets also shape healthcare, especially when it comes to medications. As I continued my education, I began exploring the science side of healthcare by studying biomedical sciences and later public health. That helped me understand how diseases are treated and how healthcare systems decide which treatments patients can access.

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

Now that I’m in my final year and completing my APPE rotations, my schedule is more similar to a professional workday. I spend most of my day working on projects, reviewing information related to medications and healthcare systems, and learning directly from professionals in the field.

Outside of my rotation hours, I also spend a lot of time working on research projects and preparing presentations related to healthcare policy, medication access, and outcomes research. I enjoy staying involved in research because it allows me to explore important healthcare questions and contribute to improving how medications are used and delivered to patients.

Describe the most rewarding aspects of your career.

One of the most rewarding parts of my career path is knowing that the work we do in pharmacy can genuinely impact people’s lives. Medications play a huge role in helping patients manage diseases and improve their quality of life, and pharmacists help make sure those treatments are used safely and effectively.

Describe the most challenging aspect of your career.

One of the most challenging aspects of pursuing a career in pharmacy is that the value of the PharmD degree is sometimes not fully understood or appreciated outside of the profession. Pharmacists receive extensive training in medications, patient care, and healthcare systems, but many people still think of pharmacists only as individuals who dispense prescriptions. In reality, pharmacists are involved in many important areas of healthcare, including research, clinical care, policy, and the development of new therapies.

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

It’s important to build a strong foundation in the basics—understanding medications, science, and patient care—but also to stay curious about the many different paths pharmacy can offer. The field goes far beyond traditional roles, and pharmacists are involved in areas like research, healthcare policy, industry, and innovation.

I would also encourage students to gain as much experience as possible through internships, research, and networking. These experiences help you discover what areas you’re passionate about and open doors to opportunities you may not have known existed.

Most importantly, have a clear vision for what you want to achieve and keep working toward it. If you stay disciplined, continue learning, and take advantage of opportunities, there is really no limit to how far you can go in this field.

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

One experience that stands out to me happened while I was leading a research project during pharmacy school. I was the first author on the study, and another student on the team was interested in learning how academic research works but had never gone through the full research and publication process before. I spent time guiding them through different parts of the project, such as how to review scientific literature, organize ideas for a manuscript, and understand how research is prepared for publication.
Through that process, they were able to contribute to the project and gain hands-on experience with academic research. Seeing them become more confident and comfortable with the process was really rewarding for me.

Describe how you manage school/life balance.

Managing work and school responsibilities really comes down to staying organized and keeping my long-term goals in mind. Having everything organized in one place helps me stay on top of responsibilities without feeling overwhelmed.

I also try to be intentional with how I use my time. When I’m working on rotations, research, or other responsibilities, I focus on completing those tasks efficiently so that I can still make time for personal interests, exercise, and spending time with friends or family.

Another important part of maintaining balance is staying focused on my goals. I remind myself why I started and what I’m working toward. Keeping that bigger picture in mind helps me stay motivated and disciplined while still maintaining a healthy balance between work, school, and life.