Joseph Miles Azurin is a third-year PharmD candidate at the Loma Linda University School of Pharmacy. In March, he received an APhA Student Leadership Award at the 2024 APhA Annual Meeting & Exposition in Orlando, FL.
Student Pharmacist Magazine (SPM): As you reflect on your student pharmacist experience thus far, what are some of your favorite memories?
Azurin: Reflecting on my journey as a student pharmacist, it’s the moments spent beyond the classroom that truly stand out as unforgettable. My experiences in extracurricular activities, especially serving the student body and local community, have been deeply fulfilling. My roles within professional associations have been the most rewarding and were beyond any lesson that a textbook could give me.
Among these roles, my time as the clinic coordinator at the Riverside Free Clinic has been particularly memorable. This position allowed me to lead and organize student pharmacist volunteers, offering me the unique opportunity to connect with an incredible group of individuals committed to making a difference in their community. Together, we worked to provide essential health care services, including medications, to the underserved populations of the Inland Empire. The friendships and connections I’ve made through this work have not only enriched my life, but also expanded my understanding of the significance of dedicating time to supporting others.
This journey has been a testament to the impact we can make as health care professionals, and the experiences I’ve gained through these roles have been instrumental in shaping my approach to pharmacy and public health.
SPM: Pharmacy school is demanding, especially when you add on additional activities. How do you manage all of your responsibilities?
Azurin: Mastering time management has been key to juggling my numerous commitments. Currently, I balance eight student officer positions across various professional organizations, manage two jobs at two different institutions, and maintain academic excellence at the top of my class with a 3.95 GPA. The foundation for my successful productivity hinges on two principles: prioritization and organization.
For prioritization, my guiding philosophy—inspired by Rudyard Kipling's poem “If”—focuses on maximizing every moment. The lines “If you can fill the unforgiving minute/With sixty seconds’ worth of distance run” resonate with my belief in the value of time. This philosophy is complemented by the concept of The 5 Pillars of Life—personal values that dictate my priorities. For me, these are family, friends, academics, career, and service, in that order. This framework assists me in triaging tasks when multiple responsibilities converge.
Organization is crucial in my routine. Every Sunday, I meticulously plan my week using Google Calendar, starting with family and friend time, followed by academic obligations, organizational meetings, and community service. This systematic approach ensures that all areas of my life receive the attention they deserve. I also reserve at least an hour daily for personal time, whether it is for relaxation, meditation, or playing the guitar. This rigorous yet flexible system is my blueprint for tackling each week, ensuring that despite a packed schedule, I stay on top of my responsibilities while maintaining balance in my life.
SPM: What are some of your favorite leadership tools and/or resources?
Azurin: Through my leadership journey, I’ve discovered that real-world experience is the best teacher, guided by the principle from Jocko Willink “Get comfortable being uncomfortable.” This has taught me the value of embracing challenges, listening to other perspectives, and leading courageously under pressure.
I also draw inspiration from leaders such as Simon Sinek and David Goggins, whose podcasts have been pivotal to my mindset toward leadership. They emphasize discipline, responsibility, and resilience, which resonate deeply with me. Sinek’s focus on the “why” behind actions and Goggins’ advocacy for overcoming limits have significantly influenced my leadership style.
In terms of practical tools, I rely on Reclaim AI integrated with my Google Calendar for managing my time effectively. It’s a fantastic productivity app that helps me stay focused on my priorities, reminding me of tasks and commitments and thus ensuring that I am working efficiently.
SPM: What does being a leader mean, and what does being selected for this award mean, to you?
Azurin: Being a leader, to me, means embracing the responsibility to inspire, guide, and empower others to achieve their highest potential. It’s about setting a standard of excellence, not just in tasks or goals, but in ethical behavior, compassion, and community service. Leadership is the art of motivating a group toward achieving a common goal and positioning yourself as the foundation that uplifts and empowers others. It also means being okay with failure and pushing through adversity, especially during the most difficult of times.
Being selected for this award is both a tremendous honor and a profound responsibility. It reaffirms my commitment to serve as a positive force through integrity, empathy, and inclusiveness to those around me. This recognition is not just a reflection of my past efforts, but a call to action to strive for an even greater impact in the future. It inspires me to keep pushing boundaries, to continue learning and growing, and to further dedicate myself to the service of my community and the betterment of society as a whole.
SPM: OK, here’s a fun question: Who is your favorite Disney character and why?
Azurin: My favorite character is Dr. Stephen Strange, or Dr. Strange, who embodies resilience and the discovery of new paths after failure. Initially a brilliant neurosurgeon, Strange’s life takes a dramatic turn following a car accident that leaves his hands severely injured, ending his surgical career. This moment represents a profound fall from grace for someone who had defined his worth and identity through his professional success.
However, what makes Dr. Strange’s story so inspiring is not his fall, but his journey thereafter. Unable to accept the end of his career, he embarks on a quest that leads him to the mystic arts, where he finds a new purpose. Through magic, Strange not only discovers abilities far beyond what he imagined possible, but also learns invaluable lessons about humility, the importance of looking beyond oneself, and the existence of multiple paths to making a meaningful impact.
Dr. Strange’s transformation from a surgeon to the Sorcerer Supreme shows that failure is not the end, but an opportunity to explore new horizons and uncover hidden potentials. His journey reminds me that embracing change and the unknown can lead to discovering new forms of success and fulfillment, highlighting that what initially appears as failure may indeed be the gateway to a new realm of possibilities.
SPM: What’s next for you?
Azurin: Looking ahead, I'm excited for my upcoming role as the national contact person for APhA–ASP. This position is a unique chance to showcase pharmacy on an international stage through the International Pharmaceutical Students’ Federation, with travel plans including destinations like South Korea and South Africa. I’m fortunate to be supported by an incredible team in the APhA–ASP International Standing Committee, and together I believe we can make a meaningful impact for our members and the country.
On a more personal note, as I approach graduation, the path forward is still taking shape, but I'm excited about the prospect of APPE rotations. I’m particularly looking forward to my electives in APhA Student Development and Critical Care, which I believe will be pivotal in helping me refine my interests within the pharmacy field. Currently, I’m drawn to the practices and challenges of clinical pharmacy, particularly in ICU settings, and I have a growing interest in the contributions I can make through professional associations such as APhA. While academia as a clinical professor remains a possible avenue for my career, the experiences from these rotations will be critical in guiding my decision.
Ultimately, I’m open to exploring where my passions and the opportunities ahead will lead me, with a keen eye on how I can contribute to the field of pharmacy.