Priscilla Liu is a third-year PharmD candidate at the University of Kansas School of Pharmacy. In March, she 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?
Liu: When I first started pharmacy school, everyone told me it passes by in the blink of an eye, and I didn’t believe it. I thought it would be the longest four years of my life, but I’m glad to say I was wrong. Time flies when you’re having fun! Don’t get me wrong, there have been some challenging moments, but I’ve made a lifetime of unforgettable memories.
The 2023 APhA–ASP Summer Leadership Institute was one for the books. From sweaty power walking all over Capitol Hill in the DC humidity to trekking to APhA headquarters in a torrential downpour and getting ketchup squirted all over my leg, I had an amazing time bonding with one of my closest friends, meeting incredible student pharmacists, and getting so many ideas to take back to my chapter.
Looking back, I have had an incredible three years with some pretty big moments and awesome people. If I am being totally honest, my favorite memories have been small and meaningful moments. To connect with our satellite campus, there are table microphones and cameras in the room that zoom in on students when using the microphones. I will never forget when a table microphone was broken in class close to where my roommate and I sat, and stayed on with the cameras pointed in our direction for about 15 minutes. Both campuses could hear my roommate eat a crunchy Belvita and see me struggle with that day’s Connections in the middle of class. I will always cherish the brunch dates, the nights at Chili’s, the silly nights at work, and the crazy fun times on conference trips, specifically the times when someone had to choose to touch the metro handrail or drop the carrot cake. I probably won’t cherish all the super late nights studying or the stress of didactic classes, or the time I collapsed in the middle of a busy sidewalk in Washington, DC, at MRM, but I am grateful for having a group of great people I can lean on during those times. I also love seeing my friends do amazing things. I remember being so incredibly proud watching one of my closest friends graduate from pharmacy school this past year or being so happy to see others succeed through awards recognition.
The best experience has been being surrounded by people who are passionate about growth and our profession. Our chapter leadership has been outstanding, and I’ve connected with some pretty stellar people. Every year, I’m grateful to make new and deeper connections with my classmates and peers. Participating in the peer mentor program at my school was quite intimidating to me (because I feel like I have zero qualifications to be a mentor), but it has brought me so much joy watching everyone grow and getting to know new people. Everyone around me has made life so fun, and these years have flown!
SPM: Pharmacy school is demanding, especially when you add on additional activities. How do you manage all of your responsibilities?
Liu: There is so much that goes on for student pharmacists. On top of school, most of us work, are involved in extracurricular activities, and somehow have to find the time to take care of ourselves. My first year of pharmacy school year hit me like a truck, so I’ve made many mistakes along the way and learned from them. If it weren't attached, I would lose my head, so I live by to-do lists, Google Calendar, planners, Post-it notes—the list goes on. They help me stay highly organized and create a routine. The biggest mistakes I made during my first year of pharmacy school were not establishing a routine and not asking for help. Consistency has helped me take on big projects and keep up with studying. Along with having a routine, having friends who help you stay on track is super helpful.
I have learned a lot at the ripe age of 23, but I wish I had the secrets to the universe and knew how to do it all. It’s not easy juggling so many responsibilities, and you have to practice prioritization. I wish I discovered this sooner, but simply taking time to categorize things into low or high urgency and its importance helps me stay focused on the bigger picture instead of getting caught up on small details. Some of the best advice I’ve gotten is to ask yourself ‘What’s the worst that can happen?’ or ‘Is it really that serious?’ Those small but powerful questions keep me sane and help me put things into perspective.
There have also been times when I have had to make sacrifices for the things I want to accomplish. It’s essential to understand saying ‘yes’ to one thing means saying “no” to something else, whether it may be time to relax, study, or commit to another responsibility. Don’t get me wrong, I want to do it all and give everything 110%, but it’s just not possible. It’s hard not to beat yourself up for not achieving everything you want to, but it’s important to remember that compromise is a healthy practice.
Focusing on the bigger picture to find what is worth your best efforts, and what isn’t, will help you manage your time and sanity. It’s also important to remember that not every project demands your best work, and it’s OK to fall short. In the long run, forgetting to turn in an assignment or doing poorly on an exam will not stop you from becoming a fantastic pharmacist, even if it may feel awful in the moment.
Setting realistic goals and investing time into things that bring me joy and ignite my passion have helped me stay engaged and manage my responsibilities. Most importantly, you have to be kind to yourself and others to achieve what you want!
SPM: What are some of your favorite leadership tools and/or resources?
Liu: One of the best resources I have used is GiANT’s Self-Awareness Program through the Phi Lambda Sigma Leader Academy. I have grown so much through learning skills on effective communication to create influence. This program was five months long, and I was able to interact with so many exceptional individuals in my cohort, some of whom I was able to meet in person at APhA events. I heavily rely on these tools in my leadership positions and have had the opportunity to present these skills to help others. This program has helped me understand what it’s like to be on the other side of me, and how I can leverage self-awareness to lead myself and others.
A book I read recently is The Anxious Achiever: Turn Your Biggest Fears into Your Leadership Superpower by Morra Aarons-Mele. I picked up this book after a few weeks of feeling extreme self-doubt. The book aims to turn your stress and worries into a source of strength for yourself, your career, and the people you lead. This is my favorite leadership book because it aims to normalize anxiety in leadership and provides so much guidance on resisting perfectionism, confronting bad habits and unhealthy coping mechanisms, and dealing with impostor syndrome, and it touches on many other topics with which I struggle. There are several personal stories that I was able to relate to and lots of practical advice. If there is one resource you take away from this Q&A, please go and read this book (or check out the podcast), because it has helped me so much!
I also rely heavily on my mentors and peers! I love seeing other people’s perspectives and gaining insight into how others may view a situation. Surrounding myself with individuals who are dedicated to the growth of both themselves and others has been a large part of helping me stay motivated and have a positive mindset. I wouldn’t be here today without having at least one person encourage me to step out of my comfort zone and seek out opportunities. I want to take a moment to thank you all and express my sincerest gratitude.
SPM: What does being a leader mean, and what does being selected for this award mean to you?
Liu: Many people have very different approaches and definitions to being a leader, but for me, the two most important aspects of being a leader are willingness and being (or learning how to be) self-aware/emotionally intelligent. My goal is to provide opportunities and growth for others through challenges and lots of support. There will always be roadblocks when it comes to being a leader, so it’s important to be willing to break down those barriers and advocate for your team so that everyone can continue to grow. It’s challenging to take action and put yourself in an uncomfortable position for others, but in these situations I ask myself, ‘If I were not the leader, what would I like to see happen/what would I appreciate?’ I aspire to be a leader who serves others to help our team accomplish its goals. It’s also crucial to be willing to learn. When I fail or make a mistake, I always try to see it as a learning opportunity and think about what I can change in the future. It is also vital to have an open mind and be willing to learn from others, to broaden your understanding and expose yourself to diverse ideas and experiences.
I also believe self-awareness and emotional intelligence are crucial aspects of leadership. Through these, you can learn how to communicate better, empower others, and promote a healthy culture. Taking the time to reflect on what it’s like to be on the other side of your perspective in a situation and understanding your effect on others is a small action that goes a long way. One of my mentors once told me ‘You will know you will be a leader worth following when you start walking in a direction and look back and find that everyone has started walking in that direction, too.’ Leaders who are committed to the mission of having ‘power for others’ are able to cultivate liberating cultures of empowerment, respect, and opportunity.
I am extremely honored to have been selected for this award. I am honestly still shocked that I was selected, but I am incredibly grateful to our chapter and the individuals who nominated me and wrote letters of recommendation. I appreciate all the support and kindness everyone has shown me. Many of the opportunities I have are because someone was willing to bring me along with them and challenge me to do more. I aim to lead in a way where I can bring others into the room and encourage them to push themselves.
SPM: OK, here’s a fun question: Who is your favorite Disney character and why?
Liu: My favorite Disney character is Mulan! This was such a tough question to answer, but I settled on Mulan because of her bravery and strength. She never gave up and always believed in herself. Besides being extraordinarily selfless and kind, she conquers obstacles head-on and isn’t afraid to take risks to achieve her goals.
SPM: What’s next for you?
Liu: I look forward to exploring different areas of our profession during my last year of pharmacy school. I have nine APPE rotations, and I am incredibly excited about my rotations with PYRLS and APhA. I also have a few other cool rotations in the Kansas City area, such as clinical administration, medication safety, an operating room/surgery rotation, and another one in a dermatology clinic.
After I finish my term as chapter president and role on the Kansas Pharmacists Association Board of Directors, I will continue on my leadership journey in APhA–ASP as chair of the Awards Standing Committee. I am thrilled to work with some incredible individuals and continue being a leader within APhA–ASP. Currently, I am interested in Health System Pharmacy Administration and Leadership residency programs with a master’s degree. I hope to be able to make a positive impact on the profession, and I can’t wait to see what the future has in store for me and everyone else!