When Varduhi O. walked across the stage at the Honda Center to receive her doctor of pharmacy degree from 国产主播, the moment marked far more than academic achievement. It was the culmination of years of perseverance, resilience, and unwavering determination.聽

A New Life and a New Language 

Varduhi moved to the United States from Armenia at the age of 23 鈥� without knowing a word of English. 

鈥淚t鈥檚 a really big deal for me and for my family,鈥� she said. 

As a first-generation immigrant and now the first in her family to earn a doctoral degree, Varduhi鈥檚 success is a powerful example of what鈥檚 possible through hard work and grit. 

Balancing Pharmacy School and Motherhood 

Earning a PharmD is demanding for anyone 鈥� but Varduhi did it while raising two young daughters. For her, walking the graduation stage wasn鈥檛 just a personal milestone 鈥� it was a message to her children. 

鈥淚 want them to see how hard work and commitment will help you and others live in a better way,鈥� she said. 

Overcoming Doubt with Support 

Varduhi admitted there were moments of self-doubt, especially after giving birth during her second year of pharmacy school. 

鈥淚 failed my first exam,鈥� she said. 鈥淏ut Dr. Kasan motivated me and reminded me of my strengths. I鈥檓 so glad that I never gave up.鈥� 

Her story is a reminder of how important mentorship and encouragement are in shaping student success. 

Finding Purpose in Community Pharmacy 

Today, Varduhi works at a major retail pharmacy, where she finds meaning in daily patient interactions. Though she trained in both hospital and retail settings, she found her passion aligned more with community pharmacy. 

鈥淲e are very accessible for patients,鈥� she explained. 鈥淓ven over the phone, they can call us and ask for advice.鈥� 

Looking Ahead: Blending Pharmacy with Lifestyle Coaching 

Varduhi鈥檚 long-term vision is to open a clinic-style pharmacy 鈥� one that merges traditional pharmaceutical services with wellness and lifestyle coaching. 

鈥淚 want to help people live better, healthier lives, not just through medicine, but through education and support.鈥� 

The post WCU PharmD Graduate Overcame Barriers, Looks Ahead to Community Care聽 appeared first on 国产主播.

国产主播鈥檚 Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program is all about empowering students to make a real impact on people鈥檚 lives. For Lilia F., that meant relocating from Northern California to Southern California to join WCU鈥檚 Center for Graduate Studies. Drawn by the supportive faculty and welcoming community, she鈥檚 found her place here, sharing how WCU has fueled her passion for physical therapy and helped her grow in ways she hadn鈥檛 expected.聽

Personal Inspiration 

Lilia鈥檚 passion for physical therapy began with a deeply personal experience. Her love for sports and activities made physical therapy an ideal career path. 

鈥淲hat got me into PT was actually seeing my brother go through it when I was younger, and he wasn鈥檛 fully able-bodied,鈥� she explained, reflecting on her younger years. 鈥淪eeing how the physical therapist kind of engaged him into getting back into activity and helping him get his motivation back… really brought to light at a young age that helping people is what I wanted to do.鈥� 

Choosing 国产主播 

Lilia鈥檚 search for the right DPT program led her to WCU, where she felt a unique connection with the faculty and the student community. 

鈥淚 knew I wanted to stay in California,鈥� she said. 鈥淲hen I met the professors and interacted with them鈥� they were the ones that really showed the most care to their students.鈥� The compassion and dedication of the faculty have proven invaluable. 鈥淚 can say most of those professors were the reasons why we continued and didn鈥檛 give up.鈥� 

Support from Faculty 

Throughout her journey, Lilia has felt deeply supported by her professors, who have cultivated an encouraging and understanding environment. She noted one professor’s approach, saying, 鈥淗e felt the energy that we were feeling in the room. He felt the nerves; he felt the anxiety. And he took the time to speak with us and tell us, you know, 鈥楧o your best, and that鈥檚 all that should matter.鈥欌�� These reassurances have helped her, and her cohort gain the confidence to succeed. 

A Cohort That Feels Like Family 

The support within Lilia鈥檚 cohort has been just as meaningful. “No matter what, whenever something happened to a student, we backed each other up鈥� we wanted to make sure our class was a family, and we had each other鈥檚 backs.鈥� Lilia appreciates her bond with her classmates, who offer support through challenges and share in each other鈥檚 triumphs. 

White Coat Ceremony: A Symbol of Transition 

Recently, Lilia celebrated the White Coat Ceremony, a symbolic milestone for DPT students. 鈥淭oday we鈥檙e doing our white coat ceremony, which signifies the end of our didactics… and now starting in September, we鈥檙e out in clinics treating patients.鈥� This transition marks a significant shift from classroom learning to real-world clinical practice.  

Preparing for Clinical Rotations 

Lilia and her cohort are about to begin their full clinical rotations, where they will apply the skills, they鈥檝e learned. Many will stay in California. However, some will choose to travel out of state. 鈥淚鈥檓 very excited for the hands-on鈥� I鈥檓 ready to work with the patients, building that connection, seeing the results.鈥� 

Resources and Lasting Faculty Connections 

WCU鈥檚 DPT program has equipped students with extensive resources, from faculty guidance to administrative support. Lilia emphasized the faculty鈥檚 enduring commitment: 鈥淥ur professors have been there for us no matter what, and they even state to this day that they鈥檙e going to be with us even after. We can call them at any time.鈥� 

Advice for Future DPT Students 

Lilia鈥檚 advice to prospective students is simple: 鈥淒o it. It definitely challenges you, but the most important thing that helps me, especially being far away from my family and friends, is to take time for yourself鈥� because without yourself, you鈥檙e not going to get through the program. Without a mindset that is positive, you can get lost. Doing stuff that reminded me of who I am and what I love aside from studying鈥� that鈥檚 really what helped me.鈥� She believes in prioritizing personal well-being as the foundation for academic success. 

Be a Part of the WCU Physical Therapy Community 

国产主播鈥檚 Doctor of Physical Therapy program is more than an academic path; it鈥檚 a supportive, inspiring community that fosters the next generation of physical therapists. With dedicated professors, close-knit cohorts, and hands-on clinical experience, WCU鈥檚 DPT program prepares students like Lilia to thrive in a meaningful, patient-focused career.聽

The post Why One Student Chose WCU鈥檚 DPT Program to Follow Her Passion for Helping Others聽 appeared first on 国产主播.