Principle and Purpose
Pharm.D. Candidate Turns Early Experience, Family Guidance into Purpose-driven Path
After Tam Vu completed his undergraduate studies at UH, staying close to family and continuing his education as a “Double Coog” was a natural next step.
Rooted in Community
But Tam’s path to pharmacy began even earlier. Born in a small community in Vietnam, he grew up with a deep sense of responsibility to care for others, an upbringing that shapes his purpose today.
“My principle has always been to take care of my neighbors,” Vu said. “Pharmacy is the way I get to carry that forward.”
Vu’s interest in pharmacy took shape when his sister began her own journey into the profession during his freshman year at UH. Watching her path unfold sparked his desire to follow the same route. Knowing many community pharmacies offered cross-training, he took a cashier job and quickly sought a technician role. Within a year, his initiative paid off. When it was Vu’s turn to apply to pharmacy school, he looked no further than his home away from home.
Vu points to UHCOP’s excellent network as a member of the Texas Medical Center combined with its high first-time NAPLEX pass rate as key factors in feeling confident he would be set up for long-term success. Vu said he values how the professors challenge students not to memorize but to master concepts at a granular level and apply them in patient scenarios.
“The curriculum encompasses real-world exposure, critical thinking and evidence-based practice,” Vu said. “They truly teach us to think like a pharmacist.”
Beyond the Counter
A defining moment in Vu’s pharmacy journey came while leading a “Second Saturday Screening,” a monthly community health event he oversees that offers free blood pressure and blood sugar checks alongside additional testing services.
“Through this initiative, I’ve seen how pharmacists can serve as a critical point of access for patients who might otherwise go without care,” Vu said.
During one screening, a patient in his early 50s came in for a free blood sugar check and shared symptoms he had ignored due to concerns about treatment costs. After Vu recommended and explained an A1C test, the results came back elevated.
“Rather than just giving him a number, I wanted him to understand what it meant and why routine monitoring matters,” Vu said.
When the patient admitted he owned a glucometer but didn’t know how to use it, Vu walked him through proper monitoring and interpretation. Nearly a year later, the same patient returned with improved diet and exercise habits and a normal A1C.
“He told me no one had ever taken the time to explain it to him before,” Vu said. “That moment showed me pharmacy isn’t just about dispensing medications; it’s about education, prevention and building long-term relationships.”
Leadership Driven by Service
Vu describes himself as a “social butterfly,” someone who thrives in community and connection. At UHCOP, he found both. Vu said his involvement in Pharmacy Council, Hispanic Pharmacy Student Association, Vietnamese-American Pharmacy Student Society and the Rho Chi Pharmacy Honor Society was intentional and rooted in his commitment to community service and leadership.
“Each of these organizations aligns with my principle of serving patients in the community, especially underserved populations, while growing as a leader and future pharmacist,” Vu said.
Through these organizations, Vu has gained experience working with populations facing language barriers, limited access to care and disparities in chronic disease outcomes.
“These experiences taught me the importance of culturally appropriate communication,” Vu said.
His induction into Rho Chi, he added, reflects a commitment to academic excellence as the foundation for service.
“Strong academic preparation allows me to be a reliable and trustworthy resource for patients and communities,” Vu said.
For Vu, earning a Pharm.D. is the ultimate fulfillment of the principles he carried from his small hometown in Vietnam to Houston, caring for others, strengthening community and helping patients live better, healthier lives. After graduation, he plans to continue working in community pharmacy, where he can build long-term relationships with patients and make a lasting impact through accessible, everyday care.