Hispanic Heritage: The Rodriguez Family, A Pharmacy Legacy
Mario Sr., Adrianna, and Mario Jr. at the RKCCOP Homecoming Evening Reception
The love of pharmacy is the tie that binds the Rodriguez family. They’ve dedicated nearly 100 years of combined experience to serving their communities and building lasting bonds with patients. For Mario Sr., Mario Jr. and Adrianna, it’s not just a profession – it’s a legacy.
The family’s journey through community pharmacy practice began when Mario Sr. graduated from the R. Ken Coit College of Pharmacy in 1972 with a bachelor of science in pharmacy. Kickstarting a 45-year career, this would later inspire his children, Mario Jr. and Adrianna, to follow in his pharmacy footsteps. It was in 1995 that Mario Jr. graduated from the U of A with a PharmD, and Adrianna earned hers shortly after in 1997.
All three Rodriguez pharmacists have been in the industry since leaving the U of A and enjoyed the experience of creating an impact in the Tucson community and beyond with exceptional dedication to their profession. Mario Sr. spent 45 years employed as a pharmacist by major retailers, including Walgreens and Bashas, while Mario Jr. spent time in community pharmacy, as well as the United States Navy Reserve, before entering the pharmaceutical industry to work in medical affairs, and Adrianna has been a pharmacist with Osco Drug, Walmart, and Sam’s Club over her 26-year career. Through it all, they have remained connected with the Coit College of Pharmacy, investing in generations of PharmCATS and future pharmacists through involvement in the Alumni Council, scholarship contributions, and their enduring Wildcat spirit.
Let's Get To Know The Rodriguez Family
Mario Rodriguez, Sr.
Mario J. Rodriguez graduated with a BS in Pharmacy in 1972. His career, spanning nearly five decades, took him all across Arizona, including retail stores in Willcox, Douglas and Florence and Nogales, including time in hospital and prison pharmacies. Now retired, Mario Sr. lives in Tucson close to family and enjoys attending the U of A annual Homecoming celebrations.
What inspired you to become a pharmacist?
It was my love of Latin. I had been trained as an Air Force medic and enjoyed working with doctors. Since Latin was utilized in prescription orders, I was attached to the medical profession. My one desire was to become a doctor; however, I did not have the monetary resources and needed to support my wife and child.
Looking back, what would you say was the most challenging aspect of pharmacy school?
Throughout my years of study, I had three part-time jobs and encountered a true need to balance work and study times. For me, every day was a rewarding one, filled with expectations and challenges.
What skills do you believe are essential for success as a pharmacist?
The most prevalent attributes are empathy and a good means of communication. Being a successful pharmacist signifies that not only do you dispense medications, but you also share knowledge of medications. There is no need for patients to inform you of their illnesses; you deduce this from the prescribed medications. Thus, you learn to appreciate and safeguard your health. Most importantly, you have an opportunity to encourage your patients to properly and assuredly take their meds.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received, and who gave it to you?
The best career advice I received was from a pharmacist when I was still contemplating pharmacy school. He said, "You will never be rich as a pharmacist, but you will live comfortably." Keep in mind, at that time the starting salary for an RPh was $3.50 an hour.
If you could give one piece of advice to current pharmacy students, what would it be?
Embrace pharmacy as an opportunity to be of service to others. Your true reward can be found in your daily endeavors to assist people at a time when perhaps no one else cares. You will soon find that the greatest rewards on earth have no monetary value.
Mario Rodriguez, Jr.
Mario E. Rodriguez, PharmD, began his diverse pharmaceutical career in community pharmacy and home health and managed care before settling into medical affairs. After starting his journey into medical affairs at Bristol Myers Squibb as a cardiometabolic medical science liaison, he transitioned to a diabetes-focused role at Sanofi where he helped launch Lantus, the premier long-acting basal insulin.
Further developing his interest in the medical affairs field, he evolved his role into a training position for the biotech startup Rhythm Pharmaceuticals, known for developing Imcivree, an injectable medication to treat certain forms of rare genetic obesity.
Now, as a senior director in global medical affairs for Emergent BioSolutions, he uses his combined experience in medical affairs and military medicine. He facilitates education and data generation to help international defense and government health agencies develop medical countermeasure stockpiles for threats such as Anthrax, Smallpox/Mpox and Botulism.
As a reserve military pharmacist, he has held various staff and leadership positions within the US Navy Reserve Medicine System and currently serves as a Commander in the United States Navy Reserve. He is also an active member of the R. Ken Coit College of Pharmacy Alumni Council.
What is it like being in a family of pharmacists?
It has always made for great table conversations although I am jokingly thought of as not a "real" pharmacist since I work in the pharmaceutical industry and my wife would call my sister for pediatric dosing recommendations as the kids were growing up. We can certainly appreciate the sacrifices it took each of us to get here and relish the rewards of making a difference for patients in our own unique ways.
Adrianna Rodriguez
Adrianna Rodriguez, PharmD, is a staff pharmacist at Sam’s Club Pharmacy in Tucson, AZ. She completed her Bachelor of Science degree in microbiology from the University of Arizona before graduating from the R. Ken Coit College of Pharmacy in 1997 with a PharmD. After graduation, Adrianna accepted a position with Osco Drug as a floating pharmacist, after which she became a staff pharmacist with Walmart and transferred to the Sam’s Club division. She has 26 years of experience in community pharmacy and enjoys the continuous challenges of pharmacy, especially professional development and building bonds with patients new and old.
What is it like being in a family of pharmacists?
It is a blessing and a curse. At one point, all 3 of us worked in community pharmacy. We often monopolized Thanksgiving conversations with work details. We may have been separated once or twice to change the topics of conversation. But we also shared experiences and knowledge along the way. It was fun to attend education experiences with each other. One year, my brother and I attended the American Diabetes Association Scientific Sessions in San Diego. 5K@ADA challenge was an event to raise awareness about healthy lifestyles. For me, this event was all about finishing before my older brother and beating his 5K time.
What inspired you to become a pharmacist?
Observing my father’s willingness to help others. My Dad would often receive calls and questions from friends, neighbors and family. Everyone would ask for his advice. It was obvious how much he enjoyed helping them and how they genuinely appreciated and respected him. As a little girl, I remember being fascinated by how smart he was and thought he had an answer for everyone.
If you could give one piece of advice to current pharmacy students, what would it be?
Never stop learning. Pharmacy is a dynamic profession. When our academic education ends, this is really the beginning. We, as individuals, take on the responsibility to continue our learning and shaping pharmacy. What you learn, or don’t learn, impacts your practice more than you expect.
How do you stay passionate about pharmacy after years in the field?
Serving as a resource for all students. I have participated in various programs for elementary students, high school mentor programs, college students and just anyone with an interest in pharmacy. I especially try to encourage young women to realize they can be successful in science and challenging academic programs. I greatly appreciate the opportunities I have been given and hope to pass along those opportunities to as many students as I can.
What has been the most rewarding moment in your pharmacy career?
I performed a Medication Therapy Management intervention for a patient which involved a therapy change for a drug safety issue. After discussing the outcome with the patient, she was elated because the new drug would only cost $1.00 with her insurance. She was paying $3.00. She was elated because now she would be able to afford a hot dog at the Cafe, something she never had enough money for. As pharmacists, we can have a positive impact on patients’ lives for reasons we never considered.
How do you stay involved with the RKCCOP community?
I enjoy supporting the Wildcats at athletic events throughout the year and catching up at homecoming whenever possible. I have my two sidekicks, Mario Sr. and Mario Jr. to bring along to celebrate College of Pharmacy Homecomings!