Healing Through Heritage

Personal Story, Culture Fuel Pharm.D. Student's Mission to Improve Community Wellness

For Pharm.D. student Aiden Tran, the journey to pharmacy started with an unexpected major, his father's influence and a deep-rooted desire to serve. Today, that path has taken him from the lab bench to real-world patient care—and it all began at home.

"I've always known I wanted to go into pharmacy," Tran said. "My dad had a pharmacy technician background, and I wanted to do something similar."

From Biotech to Bedside

Tran's academic journey began with biotechnology—a field he hadn't originally intended to enter but one that turned out to be a perfect fit. Assigned to the major unexpectedly, he soon discovered how well it aligned with pharmacy.

"I didn't apply to biotech—I applied to biochemistry," Tran said. "But it ended up being a blessing in disguise because biotech was more catered towards pharmacy."

When it came time to apply to pharmacy school, Tran didn't have to look far. He was already completing his undergraduate studies at the University of Houston (UH), and the UH College of Pharmacy (UHCOP) offered both convenience and opportunity.

"At first, it was the proximity," Tran said. "But as I looked more into it, I appreciated UHCOP's resources and connections. And it's so close to the Texas Medical Center."

Though COVID restrictions prevented him from touring the campus in person, the interview process sealed his decision.

"The questions felt personal," Tran said. "They weren't just asking about what I did on paper but instead wanted to get to know me as a person."

At UHCOP, Tran continued exploring the pharmaceutical industry by competing in the Industry Pharmacists Organization (IPhO) VIP Case Competition as part of the regulatory affairs team. His team developed a mock drug and prepared a proposal to simulate the market approval process.

"The competition helped me prepare for actual industry work by working in a team, doing research and simulating what it's like to bring a drug to market," Tran said.

But as his coursework and experience expanded, so did his self-discovery.

"I realized I had more passion for patient care," Tran said. "You don't have much patient interaction in industry, and I want to see the impact I'm having in real time."

Turning Conversations into Care

Tran's commitment to serving others came into focus during a health fair organized by his organization, the Vietnamese-American Pharmacy Student Society (VAPSS), where he served as the patient initiative chair.

There, he met an incoming pharmacy student and her father, who had long avoided seeing a physician despite his family's concern. After their conversation, she returned to tell Tran that her father had finally agreed to see his physician.

"That encounter made me see how much of an impact I could have on my patient," Tran said.

The experience resonated deeply. Growing up in a Vietnamese household, Tran understood how cultural stigma often discourages older adults from seeking care.

"In our culture, it can be seen as a sign of weakness to be diagnosed with something," Tran said. "But waiting too long can lead to worse outcomes."

That moment didn't just affirm Tran's desire to serve—it also struck a personal chord. He lives with a condition that predisposes him to a stroke, making health education a cause that feels close to home.

"Raising awareness is important, especially because there are a lot of health disparities in Houston," Tran said. "Many people don't realize how much can be prevented with early screening and education."

Carrying Traditions Forward

Outside the classroom, Tran connects with his community through culture and leadership. As a longtime member of a Vietnamese lion dance troupe, he performs throughout Houston and mentors younger students in the art form.

"I teach the kids the dances and help them understand more about our culture," Tran said. "It's about discipline, teamwork and passing traditions forward."

The importance of that work only deepened after the pandemic.

"After COVID, everything just shut down," Tran said. "Now is the time to get more involved, especially to rebuild the community and connection."

A Personal Mission to Serve

Tran brings that same sense of service and visibility into his leadership roles at UHCOP. Recently inducted into Phi Lambda Sigma, the pharmacy leadership honor society, he also holds positions such as UHCOP class historian and president of VAPSS.

"I wanted to lead by example and empower others to do the same through their actions," Tran said.

He also serves as chair of the Power to End Stroke Committee for UHCOP's chapter of the Student National Pharmaceutical Association (SNPhA). In this role, Tran leads community outreach and education initiatives aimed at reducing stroke risk, especially among underserved populations. Through health fairs, he helps provide free screenings and counseling for high blood pressure, diabetes and other contributing conditions.

"Sometimes patients know the risks," Tran said. "But language barriers, lack of transportation or fear of going to the doctor stop them from getting care. These health fairs bring health care directly to them."

At UHCOP, he also helped organize the International Day event, where he shared Vietnamese cuisine, costumes and values with classmates.

"We serve a large Vietnamese population in Houston," Tran said. "The more we understand each other's cultures, the better care we can provide."

Balancing Excellence and Well-Being

Despite the demanding nature of pharmacy school, Tran has maintained an exceptional GPA. Tran credits his success to a steady routine and a strong sense of balance.

"During P1 year, I'd stay at school until 10 p.m. most nights," Tran said. "But by P2 year, I started giving myself more time to relax. It's about managing time and not waiting until the last minute."

Tran also emphasizes the importance of self-care to prevent burnout. On weekends, he makes space for hobbies and a full day of rest when needed.

"I would take one entire day off and use that time just to relax," Tran said. "It helps me reset so I can get into the mindset again the next day."

Eyes on Residency

Now in his third year, Tran is exploring specialty areas but knows a PGY1 residency is part of his future. Depending on his rotations, a PGY2 may follow.

"Right now, I'm interested in cardiovascular pharmacy because of the modules we've just completed," Tran said. "But I'll see where my rotations take me."

No matter the direction Tran decides to take, his journey is grounded in cultural pride, personal purpose and a commitment to building connections.

"You always need that human connection," Tran said. "It reminds you who you're caring for and shows the real-time impact you can have on a patient's life."

— Lauren Nguyen