Alumni Spotlight: Edward ‘Ed’ Juarez ‘76

For Ed Juarez, MD, pharmacy was more than just a calling – it’s a family legacy. From the beginning, through medical school and an impressive football career, Juarez had his sights set on attending the best pharmacy school in the country. This meant following in the footsteps of his uncle, a practicing pharmacist in El Paso who encouraged his interest in the field. Now, nearly five decades later, Juarez established a medical practice that serves the residents of El Paso and continues his commitment to community and patient care.

Born in Artesia, New Mexico, Juarez had a passion for sports – particularly football – from a young age and played on a team that won the state championship his entire high school career. Continuing as an athlete after graduation seemed obvious, but a connection in the world of pharmacy made him look further. “My uncle was a pharmacist,” Juarez said. “He asked me what my career plans were and encouraged me to explore pharmacy.”

Juarez’s journey through higher education began at the New Mexico Military Institute (NMMI) in Roswell, where the disciplined atmosphere helped him to develop skills critical to his academic and clinical career. It was here that he completed his pre-pharmacy requirements and eventually set his sights back on football.

Thanks to an athletic scholarship, Juarez left New Mexico and enrolled in the University of Arizona, later joining the football team in his junior and senior years. In 1972, he entered the College of Pharmacy on a Jim Ewing scholarship and faced the unique challenge of balancing the demands of attending pharmacy school while playing football. “Pharmacy school takes a lot of dedication and effort,” Juarez added. “But without sports, it would have been difficult for me to continue my education.” He holds the distinction of being the first U of A football player with the College of Pharmacy.

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In 1976, Juarez graduated with his Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy, and after a brief time spent in Yuma, returned to El Paso to work with his uncle. It wasn’t long until he wanted to take the next step as a medical professional and enrolled in medical school at the Universidad Autónoma De Ciudad Juárez. “I had an advantage going into med school after getting my degree in pharmacy,” he noted. A thorough background in the foundational concepts of subjects like pharmacology and medicinal chemistry was essential to his success. After a residency in Pontiac, Michigan, Juarez made his final homecoming to El Paso, where he has dedicated himself to patient care and holistic practices ever since.

“The field of pharmacy has totally changed since I first joined the college,” Juarez remarked, as he reflected on all the opportunities available to current and future pharmacy students. “There are always new medications and research opportunities developing. When I worked in hospital pharmacy, everything was done by hand. It’s completely different now.”

Although Juarez has retired from his football days, he still makes time for rounds of golf and caring for his pets – currently horses and chickens – at his home in El Paso. He will celebrate his fiftieth reunion with the College of Pharmacy in 2026.

“Going to college is a great honor,” he added as a final reminder to students. “You should be proud of it.”

Q & A

What inspired you to become a pharmacist?

• My uncle was a pharmacist in Texas. When I was in high school, he asked me what my career plans were. At the time, I wanted to pursue my football career and eventually become a coach, but he encouraged me to explore the world of pharmacy. At first, I attended the New Mexico Military Institute (NMMI) in Roswell to do my pre-pharmacy requirements, and eventually, I was recruited to the U of A.

What were some of the most memorable experiences during your time at the College of Pharmacy?

• My background is in pharmacology and medicine, and working in the labs was the best part of pharmacy school. I worked with teams who were doing research into marijuana and its medical benefits, and made a lot of friends and career connections in my class. Something that sticks with me was something a professor said to my class on our first day: he told us that when you put non-natural things in your mouth, it’s called poison. To this day, I keep that in mind when I’m considering the benefits and potential harm of medications for my patients.

Looking back, what would you say was the most challenging aspect of pharmacy school?

• The hardest part of school was balancing sports and academics. Pharmacy school is very demanding, and I had to maintain my scholarship eligibility while getting my degree and playing football. Academically, medical chemistry was the most challenging subject, especially the exams. It was important that I do well with sports, because it was my introduction to the university and my future career. For me, pharmacy school was harder than med school – it takes a lot of dedication and effort.

If you could give one piece of advice to current pharmacy students, what would it be?

• Look at all of your options when you start thinking about your future career. Pharmacy has become such a diverse field over the years, and there are so many branches you can go into – it’s not just med dispensing. I had an advantage going into med school after getting my degree in pharmacy, and throughout my career, I’ve been able to build my knowledge base as a healthcare provider and pharmacist. The key to success is finding an occupation you enjoy and doing it for a long time – pharmacy is infinite, and you are always learning. Get self-motivated and enjoy it!

Outside of work, what are some of your hobbies or interests that help you maintain balance?

• I’m still practicing in El Paso, patient care is my specialty and I’ve had to grow and evolve with the field of pharmacy. Although I don’t play football anymore, I still like to make time for getting outside with friends on the golf course.