Sami Gangji is a third-year PharmD candidate at The University of Rhode Island College of Pharmacy. He will receive an APhA Student Leadership Award at the 2026 APhA Annual Meeting & Exposition in Los Angeles.
Student Pharmacist Magazine (SPM): As you reflect on your student pharmacist experience thus far, what are some of your favorite memories?
Gangji: Many of my favorite memories throughout my student pharmacist experience center around my involvement in pharmacy organizations. One of my most impactful experiences was attending the 2025 APhA Annual Meeting & Exposition in Nashville, which opened my eyes to the world of pharmacy beyond my own college. This experience showed me how passionate pharmacists and student pharmacists are across the country who are passionate about a wide range of pharmacy topics. I also participated in my first House of Delegates session, and representing my college of pharmacy further fueled my passion for policy and advocacy.
Another one of my favorite memories was the summer I spent in Washington, DC, as the Carl F. Emswiller intern at APhA headquarters. It was the first time I had lived far from home, and it allowed me to work within a unique area of pharmacy. I was able to make many amazing connections while supporting student pharmacists across the country, all while experiencing a new city and all it has to offer. I have had countless meaningful experiences throughout pharmacy school, and I look forward to creating many more in the year ahead.
SPM: Pharmacy school is demanding, especially when you participate in additional activities. How do you manage all of your responsibilities?
Gangji: I manage my responsibilities through intentional time management strategies that allow me to dedicate focused blocks to school, extracurricular involvement, and work, while also protecting time to relax with family and friends. By time-blocking my schedule, I am better able to separate periods of focus from periods of rest. Another way that I manage all of my responsibilities is by using an organized online planner to stay on top of my deadlines and make sure I do not forget important things. Overall, I strive to remain proactive and intentional with my time so that I can perform at my best in every responsibility I take on.
SPM: What are some of your favorite leadership tools and/or resources?
Gangji: One of my most valuable leadership resources has been an elective leadership course I am taking in pharmacy school. The class is focused on bringing in different speakers from diverse backgrounds in pharmacy and provides valuable insight into how they lead in their current roles and the paths that brought them there. Hearing from different perspectives helps to give better context around different styles of leadership. Through this class, I am reading 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, and this book provides a strong framework for effectiveness in both my professional and personal life. Being able to combine the structure as well as tie it to the experiences of different professionals helps to give me context of how I can be a better leader and, ultimately, a better pharmacist.
SPM: What does being a leader mean, and what does being selected for this award mean to you?
Gangji: To me, being a leader is the ability to inspire others. I do not see leading as simply telling other people what to do, but rather finding the strengths in others and empowering them to pursue what they are passionate about. Being a leader also means stepping forward when something needs to be done, even when the outcome is uncertain. Being a leader is about the impact you have, the ability to listen thoughtfully, act intentionally, and empower others.
Being selected for the APhA Student Leadership Award is incredibly meaningful because it represents the confidence of a profession I deeply respect. It affirms the work done behind the scenes to strengthen our profession and serve others. More than a recognition, it serves as a milestone in my journey and challenges me to think bigger. It reinforces my gratitude for those who have guided me and strengthens my commitment to pay that mentorship forward.
SPM: What is your favorite place to visit and why?
Gangji: My favorite place to visit is Rome because I studied abroad there for 3 months during my sophomore year. I have made so many amazing memories there, and I love the environment of the city. The city is filled with history, and I love being able to walk through thousands of years of it in a single afternoon. I am excited to go back in the future and hopefully be able to make more memories there.
SPM: What’s next for you?
Gangji: After completing my PharmD degree, I plan to pursue a PhD in health outcomes. This path will provide both the training and credentials necessary to conduct meaningful research. I am particularly interested in pharmacy practice research that demonstrates the impact pharmacists have on improving patient outcomes. I am also very interested in policy and advocacy, and I would like to be able to pursue opportunities to contribute to strengthening health policy in the United States. While I may not know exactly where this path will lead, I am committed to making a meaningful impact on patients nationwide and continuing to grow into the best pharmacist and leader I can be.