Although my father died when I was quite young, he left me with a remarkable heritage. He was Iranian, and he imparted to me a rich sense of my cultural heritage and a fierce pride in those of my people who have fought so hard for their freedom. He also gave me a sense of how brief life can be and how necessary it is to make full use of the time we are given.
Perhaps his death started me thinking about a career in health care, although my interest was drawn specifically to pharmacy because of the opportunity to serve an internship with a local pharmacist. I witnessed firsthand the difference that a good pharmacist can make in the lives of patients and started to consider a career in the field. As I also gained business experience, I eventually developed a dream of becoming a pharmacist myself, later owning my own pharmacy, and perhaps finally returning to my father's country to contribute my skills within the new health care environment there.
Even if I keep my career within the United States, however, I will consider my work to be a tribute to my father. He laid the groundwork for the man I have become, showing me the importance of following your dreams and working to make them a reality. He gave me my sense of humor and my empathy for others. He also gave me my athletic ability, talents which have allowed me to develop discipline and team spirit.
I am proud of my heritage and my passion for my work. I believe they will make me a valuable and dynamic addition to the USC School of Pharmacy team. I look forward to joining you and contributing my enthusiasm, dedication, and talents.
1. The health care field in general is undergoing dramatic changes, many of them the result of efforts to keep health care affordable while maintaining state-of-the-art care. Pharmacists will play an increasingly important role in these changes, taking on greater responsibility in the diagnosis and treatment of patients and becomin<...