Lisa Ruohoniemi

UConn School of Pharmacy, Class of 2014

Background: Born and raised in Ellicott City, Maryland to Canadian parents. Currently in the second year of pharmacy school; will obtain a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy Studies in the spring of 2012.

Related experience: Worked with UConn’s International Teaching Assistant Program and with FIRN (Columbia, MD) to promote the development of English proficiency skills in ESL speakers. Volunteered with the American Red Cross. Worked at FDA drafting stories for FDA Patient Safety News and participating in a review of patient-controlled anesthesia devices as part of a summer fellowship.

UST drew my attention because of its dedication to underserved populations and its emphasis on collaboration among healthcare professionals. I believe that, as healthcare professionals, we have a responsibility not only to do no harm, but to do as much good for as many people as possible, including those often overlooked by our current healthcare system. As a future pharmacist, I believe this means providing information and a means to access medication and services to those who need it. Additionally, as traditional healthcare expands to integrate different professional tracks, the opportunity to work with students from other professional schools in UST will make us better prepared to meet the needs of a diverse patient body.