Faith and pharmacy: Graduate shares journey of perseverance and determination to reach his dream of becoming a pharmacist

For Jason Oppong ’23, the idea of becoming a pharmacist wasn’t something he had always dreamed of. He had other plans.

“I always thought I was going to become an orthopedic surgeon because I played a lot of sports growing up and dealt with injuries like broken wrists and a bruised tailbone,” Oppong said. “When I got to undergrad, I was pre-med for about a year and a half, but I realized I didn’t have much mentorship guiding me toward that path.”

It wasn’t until he connected with people at the Binghamton University School of Pharmacy that he realized how much more there was to pharmacy than just working in a retail setting.

“I discovered opportunities in clinical practice, industry, and residencies that really opened my eyes,” he said. “That exposure made me want to give pharmacy a shot. Looking back now, I don’t regret that decision at all.”

One of the people who had the biggest influence on Oppong was Rachel Perry, the former director of admission at the School of Pharmacy. Oppong says talking to her was a huge turning point for him, as she helped him understand what pharmacy truly has to offer.

“She connected me with current pharmacy students while I was still a sophomore in undergrad, and I was able to ask them questions and learn about their experiences,” Oppong said. “That mentorship showed me the abundance of different pathways pharmacists can take. It helped me realize the profession goes far beyond what many people initially assume. Having someone guide me through that discovery process made a big difference in my confidence about choosing this career. She will always be an important part of my journey.”

We can all have our doubts and anxiety when it comes to our career choices. Some are easier to get over than others. Oppong admitted to having imposter syndrome and doubted himself at times throughout his journey, wondering how he was going to accomplish certain challenges.

But he was able to lean on his faith in those dark moments.

“Over time, I’ve grown to believe in myself more, and my faith has been a huge part of that growth,” Oppong said. “I remind myself that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me, and that mindset keeps me motivated when things feel overwhelming. Throughout pharmacy school, that belief has helped me push through difficult moments and continue progressing. I feel like it has built both my personal character and my confidence as a future pharmacist.”

Oppong spoke on how he has grown a lot as a person through pharmacy school. He says public speaking was something he used to avoid whenever possible because he was naturally shy and uncomfortable presenting in front of others. But now that he’s this year’s student speaker at commencement, Oppong sure is glad he’s overcome that fear.

“Throughout pharmacy school and during my rotations, I was constantly pushed to give presentations to preceptors and healthcare teams,” he said. “Those experiences gradually helped me build confidence and improve my communication skills. I realized that being an effective pharmacist means being able to educate and connect with many different populations. These soft skills are just as important as clinical knowledge in shaping who you are as a professional. Now I feel much more prepared to step into leadership and educator roles in the future.”

Oppong says he’s had a great support system at home, helping him every step of the way.

“My parents, especially my mom, were very influential in encouraging my siblings and me to pursue careers in healthcare,” he said. “Growing up, she always emphasized the importance of helping people and making a positive impact in the world. I’ve always felt a strong sense of empathy, and that naturally drew me toward the medical field. Even though my career path shifted over time, that core motivation to serve others has remained the same. Having consistent support from family and friends made it easier to stay focused during challenging periods. Their belief in me played a big role in helping me reach this point.”

With graduation around the corner, he says the experience feels almost surreal, like you’re living in a dream you once imagined but never fully believed would arrive.

“If someone had asked me during my first year whether I would be comfortable speaking in front of an entire auditorium, I would have immediately said no,” Oppong said. “This opportunity reflects how much I’ve grown personally and professionally during my time in the program. It also symbolizes the shared journey of my classmates, who are all preparing to branch out into different paths. We all started from the same place, but now we’re ready to blossom in our own ways.”

As far as the future is concerned, Oppong says he’s trying to take it one step at a time and continue to help those in need.

“I want to become a well-rounded clinician who can provide meaningful care to patients across different communities,” he said. “One of my biggest motivations is helping underserved populations who may not always have consistent access to healthcare resources. Regardless of someone’s background, religion or education level, everyone deserves quality medical care. Long term, I hope to work as a clinical oncology pharmacist in a hospital setting. Ultimately, my goal is to impact as many lives as possible through my work.”

Pharmacy school isn’t an easy path to choose, but Oppong did have some words of wisdom of those who may be considering it.

“I would encourage them to keep an open mind and embrace the wide range of opportunities within the profession,” he said. “Pharmacy is not limited to retail settings; there are careers in clinical practice, administration, industry, and even pathways that combine pharmacy with law or business. A PharmD can serve as a strong foundation that opens many doors. It’s important to challenge yourself and step outside your comfort zone because that’s where real growth happens. Learning from different experiences helps you discover what you’re truly passionate about. Being a pharmacist means playing a vital role on interdisciplinary healthcare teams and directly contributing to patient outcomes.”