confidence in her abilities, pursuing her pharmacy career

Betthany Thomas is a fourth-year senior pharmacy major from Ville Platte.

During my years at ULM, I have participated in the following extracurricular activities: Pre-Pharmacy Organization (secretary), Emerging Scholars Program, Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society, Mortar Board Senior Honor Society (vice president), American Pharmacists Association-Academy of Student Pharmacists (secretary), Louisiana Society of Health System Pharmacists, Phi Lambda Sigma (secretary), and Supplemental Instruction Program (Chemistry and Math Supplemental Instructor).

I will work as a community pharmacist. Eventually, I plan to complete a community pharmacy practice residency and provide clinical services to patients with chronic diseases, such as diabetes and hypertension. The most enjoyable part of pharmacy for me is the interaction with patients; nowhere is patient contact more essential than in community pharmacy. Knowing that the counseling I provide can improve patients' health and help them manage their medical conditions more effectively gives me real satisfaction.

I spend most of my time in the Bienville building (pharmacy building). I met two of my closest friends in pharmacy school and have numerous memories from my classroom experiences there. 

One of the positive things about ULM is the fact that I have been able to develop a great relationship with many of my professors, thus making it impossible to designate a favorite professor. With their assistance and encouragement, I completed three research projects, presented my work at two national conferences, and worked in the supplemental instruction program.

I have two favorite memories from my time at ULM. One is my 2003 trip to a pharmacy student research conference in West Virginia; this was my first airplane flight. After I conquered my initial fears about being in the air, I had a great time. The other memory involves my participation in the 2007 American Pharmacists Association Annual Meeting and Exposition in Atlanta. I competed in the National Patient Counseling Competition and presented at the Contributed Papers Poster Session there. A tour of the CNN building and taping of my own newscast at the CNN store added to the fun.

At the start of my first semester, I was anxious about what to expect inside and outside the classroom. Fortunately, support from my professors and other university officials helped alleviate my concerns. Such support has continued throughout my time at ULM. Various academic opportunities and exposure to new situations have improved my confidence in my abilities. I will take this with me as I begin my pharmacy career.