As a newborn in Vietnam, Giang Nguyen nearly died from severe diarrhea before a skilled doctor intervened and saved her life. Years later, hearing her mother recount that life-threatening ordeal inspired Giang to pursue a career in healthcare.
Now a fifth-year student in Ohio Northern University’s Raabe College of Pharmacy, Giang aspires to be a pediatric pharmacist in a clinical setting.
“I want to help take care of sick little ones,” she said. “I feel the need to give back.”
A graduate of Padua Franciscan High School in Parma, Ohio, Giang fell in love with ONU’s welcoming vibe during her first visit to campus.
“I am originally from Ho Chi Minh City, which is a very big city in Vietnam, and when I came to America, I started to like the small-town environment. ONU’s campus just feels so welcoming and comforting.”
When Giang began her first semester at ONU, she wasn’t sure if pharmacy was the right healthcare career path for her. In fact, she knew very little about what pharmacists actually do. However, as she delved into her classes and discovered the diverse and impactful roles pharmacists play in the healthcare system, her uncertainty transformed into excitement about the possibilities ahead.
Giang achieves at a high level and she’s meticulous and organized. She values that ONU’s pharmacy school attracts driven, future-focused students.
“Another big strength of the program is the professors. They are so knowledgeable about the topics, interested in student success, and they are always available to answer questions.”
Giang is actively involved with the Student Society of Health System Pharmacists, and she writes and edits for the Pharmacy and Wellness (PAW) Review Journal, producing in-depth, peer-reviewed articles on a variety of healthcare topics.
Last summer, she volunteered at Camp Ho Mita Koda, in Newbury, Ohio, the world’s oldest residential summer camp for children and teens with Type 1 diabetes. As a camp counselor, she helped the campers regulate their blood sugar levels.
She can’t wait to begin playing an even bigger role in keeping kids healthy.
“Becoming a pharmacist just feels like fate—what I was destined to do” she said.