While working as a chemist at a pharmaceutical company, Mai Quyen Dang, PharmD '23,
discovered that she wanted to be knowledgeable about medications, while positively
impacting patients' lives.
“As pharmacy is such a diverse field, I realized that I could contribute as an essential healthcare team member and play a vital role in helping patients,” she said. After two years of working, she enrolled in the Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) program at PCOM Georgia.
As a pharmacy student, Quyen has found the course work challenging, but the professors helpful. “They were busy but always made the time and were willing to stay late either in person or virtually to help me understand the materials,” she said.
Student pharmacist Quyen has served as vice president of the student chapter of the Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy and as a mentor to pharmacy students. In addition, she is currently serving in the US Army Reserves, enjoys spending time with her two children, and participates in Tough Mudder challenges in her free time.
Starting in July, Quyen will be a PGY-1 resident at the Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center in Augusta. After that, she plans to pursue a PGY-2 residency program in critical care, infectious disease or ambulatory care.
“I plan to become a board-certified pharmacist who continues to learn and contribute to the healthcare team and the patients,” she said.
Quyen moved to the United States from Vietnam when she was 13-years-old. After graduating
from Ocean View High School in Huntington Beach, California, she joined the US Army.
She then earned an undergraduate degree in chemistry from Augusta University.
In addition to earning her doctoral degree in pharmacy, she is working on a master's degree in healthcare systems engineering at the Johns Hopkins Whiting School of Engineering, Baltimore, Maryland. She wishes to combine knowledge from both fields to enhance pharmacy practice.
She thanks her husband, Mark Watson, her mentors Colonel Amy Sanders, Major Eric Doe, Dr. Cody Babcock, Dr. Kim Nguyen, Dr. Neveen Tomeh, Dr. Isra James, Essie Samuel, PharmD, BCPS, Laura Nguyen, PharmD '22, Dr. Sherry Tran, PCOM and Johns Hopkins professors, and “true friends for playing a pivotal role in her career development.”
“I would not have made it this far without my people,” she said. “Raising a pharmacist takes a village.”
Quyen advises future pharmacists to “always embrace the experience, cherish your team and contribute to the best of your ability. Stay calm, work on your weaknesses and make your own footprints.”
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