When Vincent Thai walked onto Chapman University’s campus as a business major, healthcare wasn’t even on his radar as a career path. Now, white coat on his shoulders and a PGY-1 residency lined up at VA Loma Linda, Vincent is ready to start his next chapter.

A first-year student from Gilroy, CA, Vincent initially aspired to work in finance or real estate. When COVID-19 disrupted his studies, he moved back home until in-person classes resumed and watched the world respond to a global health crisis that affected communities and industry, including the instability of businesses.

“I was watching the news and watching businesses shut down. The only careers with job security during these times were healthcare workers,” he recalls. That realization led Vincent back to the Chapman catalog, where he discovered the PharmD program and the APEx track after meeting with the APEx Director. Through APEx, Vincent joined an intensive 2+3 program that would allow him to finish pre-requisites and obtain his Doctor of Pharmacy in just five years.

Looking back, Vincent doesn’t have regrets about his switch.

“I’m very happy with how things turned out because of the faculty-student connection, 3-year program, and the smaller class size,” he says. “I once failed an exam, and the professor approached me to ask me if everything was okay because that faculty was expecting a better score from me. This made me realize how much the faculty cares about how we do in school, and I will be forever grateful for knowing that professors wish for our success.”

As someone who didn’t initially pursue pharmacy as a career, Vincent understands the misconception that pharmacists “just count by fives” in retail settings. “It’s not until someone needs a service that they understand the different types of pharmacists that exist,” he says, pointing to pharmacists who serve ambulatory or acute care. Vincent was intrigued by opportunities in healthcare innovation, including the pharmacist’s role in developing new therapies and guidelines. “Pharmacists are usually the first to know, and that puts us in a position to educate both patients and other healthcare providers.”

“I wanted to be able to contribute to better health, and given that pharmacists are the easiest healthcare professionals to access, I feel that I will thrive in an environment where I am readily available to help someone in need.”

Looking back at his time at Chapman University, Vincent doesn’t single out a certain memory as being a favorite. “The best memories are the little ones,” he says. “Late nights in the library before exams, laughing too loud during lunch, or panic-studying at 5am, or being able to get to know my classmates and faculty through APPE rotations. It was in those chaotic moments that I built real connections with my classmates.”

During his APEx years, Vincent pledged into Kappa Psi, a professional pharmacy fraternity, where he leaned on his peers both socially and academically. His network of peers only grew from there as Vincent rose into leadership positions in student organizations and throughout the Rinker campus. His participation outside of the classroom has built connections that will last a lifetime.

With his peers and faculty support, Vincent matched with the PGY-1 Pharmacy Residency Program at VA Loma Linda. “I’m excited to work with Veterans and continue growing as a clinical pharmacist,” Vincent says. “I want to bring everything I’ve learned at CUSP to the next level.”

“I look forward to working with Veterans to enhance their lives and continue developing my skills as a clinical pharmacist,” Vincent says. “Throughout my time as CUSP, it has been an amazing feeling to be supported by my faculty, staff, and colleagues, and I will forever be grateful for my experiences over the past three years.”

Vincent’s time at Chapman University was defined by growth, hard work, and resilience, and his peers and mentors couldn’t be prouder of him. “Pharmacy school and life are about the journey where we can learn more about ourselves by falling 7 times, getting up 8 times, and through hard work and perseverance, the destination will be waiting for us.”