JTC 25: A Long Way from Home

In the case of Samantha Saraceno, the University of Mississippi did indeed prove to be the “spot that ever calls.” And in Saraceno's case, it called all the way to Scarborough, Maine, where she grew up.

Her father hails from Alabama, so Saraceno always envisioned attending a big school in the South. Ole Miss was the last of the Southern schools she applied to, but visiting campus to check out the School of Pharmacy’s Early Entry program sealed the deal.

“I absolutely loved it,” Saraceno said. “Coming from so far away, I knew I wanted a school where I would feel supported, and the Early Entry program allowed me to meet so many people in my field.”

As she graduates in May with a Pharm.D., Saraceno has made deep connections and forged lifelong friendships through her pharmacy education.

“The Ole Miss pharmacy program does an excellent job of providing students with opportunities to form connections with faculty through advising and mentor assignments, as well as through the numerous organizations the school offers,” she said.

Saraceno has gone all in on what the school has to offer. She is a member of the American Pharmacists Association – Academy of Student Pharmacists, American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy, University of Mississippi Advocacy Council-SOP, PediaRebs, American Society of Health-System Pharmacists and Kappa Psi pharmaceutical fraternity.

“I am most proud of myself for fully immersing myself in pharmacy,” she said. “I became involved in these student organizations, attended national conferences and volunteered numerous times through my program.

“Through these experiences, I was able to build connections with people both within and outside of my program.”

She credits Ha Phan, clinical assistant professor of pharmacy practice and Saraceno’s adviser for the past two years, for encouraging her to get involved and for helping her get this far in her academic journey.

“Sam was such a joy to advise,” Phan said. “We shared a lot of conversations about the future, her career goals, current rotations and other personal highs and lows of her P3 and P4 years.

“I am honored to play a small role in her future career as my colleague. Her future patients are lucky to have her.”

Saraceno also received hands-on learning experiences through clinical rotations at 10 different sites, including experience in adult medicine, ambulatory care, pediatric critical care, transplants, academia and sports medicine.

Despite her overwhelmingly positive experience at Ole Miss, her undergraduate career has not been without struggle. Living roughly 1,400 miles from home has, at times, caused some heartburn.

“Although it was my dream to attend college in the South, it was still difficult being far away from my family and not always being able to see them during the holidays,” she said. “However, through the pharmacy program, I was able to build an amazing support system of friends who I could turn to when I missed home and who welcomed me during holidays when I couldn’t be with my family.”

The sacrifice has proven to be worth it. As she prepares for graduation, she feels ready to begin a PGY1 residency at St. Joseph’s and Candler Hospital in Savannah, Georgia.

Saraceno has felt called to health care for as long as she can remember. During her junior year of high school, a pharmacist visited her class to speak about his work, and she was able to zero in on a career path.

“It was in that class that I learned about the numerous ways a pharmacist can impact the health care field,” she said. “From then on, I knew I wanted to pursue a career in pharmacy.”

She reached out to family friends working in the field and arranged to shadow them on the job. Shadowing a pharmacist working in a pediatric intensive care unit made a particular impression.

“I loved it,” she said. “Ultimately, my goal is to help people. In pharmacy, there are ample opportunities to advocate for patients, help them understand the medications they are taking and assist them in managing their health through their medications.”

Saraceno is drawn to the idea of working in a hospital, where she can collaborate directly with doctors on the hospital floor. She is particularly interested in critical care and pediatrics, and long-term, hopes to become board certified in critical care pharmacy and work in a hospital intensive care unit.

Pharmacy school is notoriously challenging, and Saraceno credits several groups for keeping her motivated.

“My family has supported me throughout this entire process with nothing but kindness and encouragement,” she said. “I always want to make my mom, dad and sisters proud.”

Her pharmacy school friends have also helped her keep her eyes on the prize.

“I have a wonderful group of friends in my class,” she said. “We’ve motivated each other in countless late-night study sessions, volunteering at organizational events and running for elected positions in various organizations. I couldn’t have done this without them.”

Last, but certainly not least, Saraceno looks to those she will eventually serve.

“Whenever I need motivation, I think about my future patients and how I want to be the best possible pharmacist for them,” she said.

Top: Samantha Saraceno prepares to graduate with a Pharm.D. after building a strong support system and career foundation at Ole Miss. Submitted photo

See more photos from Samantha Saraceno's Journey to Commencement