Veteran and active-duty students bring diverse experiences to Pacific

Moises Lopez ’26, Marine Corp infantry rifleman veteran, faced a daunting challenge when a back surgery and subsequent other injuries left him with limited mobility. His rigorous recovery journey, combined with his military background, allows Lopez to share diverse perspectives and experiences that enrich Pacific’s doctor of pharmacy (PharmD) program.

“I have been in the patient’s shoes and have felt the stigma that doctors do not care,” said Lopez. “This stigma usually arises when patients do not get better after a doctor’s visit, stemming from a misunderstanding and disconnect between the patient and health care provider. As a student pharmacist, I do my best to give every patient the proper time and patience, so their concerns are understood and addressed to ensure patient-centered care.”

Fellow PharmD student, Dominic Capizzi ’26 has been actively serving in the U.S. Army for the past 18 years. His military experience includes providing emergency room trauma medicine and treating casualties in Afghanistan and Kuwait. Capizzi also provided pharmacy-related humanitarian services in Vietnam, Cambodia, Indonesia and Timor-Leste. In his current role as sergeant first class, he is directly responsible for the training and well-being of 340 soldiers and indirectly responsible for more than 530 soldiers.

“During the COVID-19 pandemic, I worked in various hospitals in Philadelphia, handling hospital contract negotiations,” said Capizzi. “I collaborated with a tactical operations team on COVID response and learned about the different state regulations for hospital care.”

As a faculty member and veteran, Andrew Haydon ’12, PharmD, associate clinical professor of pharmacy practice and director of professional programs, brings a unique perspective to the profession. He joined the U.S. Air Force in 2002, immediately after earning his undergraduate degree, and served as a flight medic for 13 years. Dr. Haydon’s deployments included service in Iraq, Afghanistan and Germany as well as Southeast Asia.

Before pursuing his PharmD at Pacific, Dr. Haydon’s experiences allowed him to become skilled in administering drugs, drawing blood and stabilizing broken bones.

“I feel uniquely qualified to give students a perspective on what it means to serve in the military,” said Dr. Haydon. “By sharing this perspective, I can help students understand what is important to veterans and how to best interact with this patient population.”

Pacific’s PharmD curriculum incorporates experiential experiences that expose students to different training and work environments at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

“Training at the VA and related coursework enhance the students’ clinical skills, medication management abilities and interdisciplinary collaboration,” said Srikanth Kolluru, MSPharm, PhD, associate dean of academic affairs. “Students learn evidence-based practice and gain specialized knowledge in VA health care policies, preparing them to deliver patient-centered care with empathy and professionalism. They also develop ethical decision-making, cultural competence and leadership skills, essential for navigating pharmacy practice and contributing to quality improvement initiatives in health care settings.”

Tyrannie Cable ’26 began her service as a Navy medic at the age of 17. Throughout her nine-year service, Cable was stationed in California and Florida as well as in Africa and Europe. One of the few people cross-trained in labor and delivery, she quickly learned the importance of flexibility.

“There was a situation where we had seven people delivering at once, and I could be anywhere,” said Cable. “Being extremely adaptable is one of the biggest things I’ve learned in the military because every day is completely different.”

The challenges Devki Zala ’26 faced in the Army apply to her personal and professional life. Currently serving in the reserves as a chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear weapon specialist, Zala is responsible for training her unit on how to defend and respond to a wide range of situations from a gas attack or chemical spill to bomb disposal or a plague.

“I chose Pacific because of the accelerated three-year PharmD program which allows us to gain hands-on experience by working alongside health care professionals,” said Zala. “My military background allows me to bring discipline, teamwork and time management skills to my everyday class experience. Since we excel in high-pressure situations, foster resilience and exhibit strong teamwork, we have the skill set to positively impact patient care.”

By incorporating diverse viewpoints, health care providers can develop more personalized and culturally sensitive care plans, improving patient outcomes and satisfaction.

“Choosing to serve in the military is a noble profession, as is the field of pharmacy,” said Dr. Haydon. “This profession needs more veterans. We need more pharmacists dedicated to the profession and willing to put in the work to unify and elevate the field so we can continue to provide the best possible care for our patients.”