For Phuong (Josie) Luong, the College of Pharmacy wasn’t just about academics—it was about mentorship, opportunity, and growth. Originally from Vietnam, she moved to the United States in high school and chose UGA for its strong curriculum and dual PharmD/MBA program.

Mentors played a key role in her journey, both friends including Diana Dang and Kelly Ta and professors Dr. Susan Smith, Dr. Christopher Bland and Dr. Trisha Branan. With their guidance, she explored Cefepime IV piggyback, gained confidence in her research abilities and presented her findings at the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists Midyear Meeting (ASHP Midyear), an opportunity made possible by the college’s travel award fund. Mentorship encouraged Phuong to push beyond her comfort zone and seize new opportunities.

“My mentors have been invaluable in helping me navigate challenges during my pharmacy education. My friends motivated me to step out of my comfort zone, pursue research opportunities, leadership positions in student organizations, and attend professional conferences, always providing guidance and encouragement when I needed it most.”

Outside of school, she finds joy in cooking Vietnamese food, traveling, and even visiting U-pick fruit farms. Looking ahead, she encourages pharmacy students to seek mentors early—because the right guidance will open doors to success.

Please consider donating to the college’s Pharmacy Student Travel Award Fund to help all pharmacy students take their careers to new heights!