Sammani Siblings Celebrate Match Day 2025
As Match Day 2025 comes to an end, Doctor of Pharmacy students celebrate their successful residency placements at healthcare institutions nationwide. This year, 54 students at the R. Ken Coit College of Pharmacy found their match across 18 states.
Match Day 2025 Results
Arizona - 27California - 4Oregon - 1Washington - 2Nevada - 1Utah - 2Colorado - 2Idaho - 1Texas - 2 | Illinois - 1Indiana - 1Ohio - 3Georgia - 2Massachusetts - 1Michigan - 1Virginia - 1West Virginia - 1New York - 1 |
The work put into achieving these placements starts long before that crucial third week of March, with students applying to residency programs in the fall of their fourth year. After months of interviewing with program directors, faculty, and residents, students reap the benefits of participating in the Residency-Fellowship Preparation Program, led by Amy Kennedy, PharmD, clinical assistant professor in the Department of Pharmacy Practice and Science and clinical pharmacist. As part of this program, students attend sessions led by faculty and preceptors, as well as former and current residents, to discuss topics about the residency/fellowship application process, including program selection, application and document preparation, and interview skills. Students are then paired with designated faculty or preceptor mentors regarding the application process, candidacy, strategies in application and program selection, and finally interviewing.
“It is a privilege to chair the RF prep committee now in its 13th year. The goal of the program is to pair students with mentors consisting of faculty, clinical partners and alumni to provide students with guidance for completing the residency and fellowship application process. We are elated that our students have been matched with such varied residencies and fellowships throughout the country and we look forward to their contributions to an everchanging profession!” says Kennedy.
Program participants continue to see consistent positive results. While PGY1 students have a broader choice in their focus, it’s not until PGY2 that students select residency programs with a specialty in mind such as emergency medicine, oncology or pediatrics. In early March, students submit their choices in order of preference to National Matching Services. Only as Match Day commences do PharmCATS learn if they secured positions in pharmacy residency programs within the state, across the country or even internationally.
Student Match Spotlight: The Sammani Sisters
This year’s match results are especially poignant for two College of Pharmacy students. Jude Sammani (PharmD Class of 2025) has joined her sister, Nora Sammani (PharmD Class of 2023) in making a successful residency placement before graduation. Experiencing the unique challenges and rigors of pharmacy school together, Nora and Jude have had the opportunity to rely on each other and share their collective wisdom and experience. This year they celebrated Jude’s successful 2025 match process and reflected on Nora’s 2024 match through the lens of classmates, fellow professionals, and siblings. Below, the sisters give some special background on their match placements and important advice to new pharmacy students.
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Nora Sammani is a PGY-2 Critical Care Pharmacy Resident at Dignity Health St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center in Phoenix, AZ. She completed her PGY-1 Pharmacy Residency at the Southern Arizona VA Health Care System in Tucson, AZ. Nora graduated from the University of Arizona R. Ken Coit College of Pharmacy in 2023, where she served as Student Council President and President of the UA SSHP Chapter, where she honed her leadership and collaboration skills. She also worked as the lead pharmacy intern at Tucson Medical Center (TMC), further enhancing her clinical expertise and communication skills. With a strong passion for high-acuity care, Nora is dedicated to advancing pharmacotherapy practices in the ICU, focusing on improving patient outcomes through evidence-based strategies and effective interdisciplinary collaboration. Looking ahead, she is excited to contribute to patient care as a critical care pharmacist, utilizing her skills to drive outcomes through teamwork and innovative pharmacotherapy. | Image
Jude Sammani is a fourth-year PharmD Candidate at the University of Arizona R. Ken Coit College of Pharmacy, graduating this May. Her professional interests are in acute care, particularly critical care and transplant pharmacotherapy, transitions of care, and research. While Sammani's primary internship during pharmacy school was at Northwest Medical Center in Tucson, AZ, she is also a graduate of the University of Arizona Pediatric Pulmonary Center Traineeship in Tucson, AZ, and a past Summer Pharmacy Intern at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. She has been involved with a variety of organizations at the College of Pharmacy, most notably APhA-ASP, PediaCATS, and SSHP. Upon graduation, she will begin her postgraduate training as a PGY1 Resident at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago, IL. |
Q&A
What inspired you to pursue a career in pharmacy?
| NS: | I was drawn to pharmacy because of its unique position at the center of patient care—where clinical decision-making, pharmacologic expertise, and teamwork all come together. What stood out to me was the impact pharmacists can have in complex, high-acuity situations—optimizing therapies, anticipating complications, and guiding treatment decisions that directly affect outcomes. It’s a role that requires both depth of knowledge and precision under pressure, and that’s exactly the kind of challenge I was looking for in a career. |
| JS: | Pharmacists have such a distinct specialization and role within healthcare, one that strives to connect, regardless of the setting. Whether we're connecting patients to better health or providers with high-level and readily accessible drug information, we weave very unique knowledge into the seams of the healthcare system. I've had the privilege of working with amazing pharmacists in all settings that each inspired me in their own way. The pharmacists in the community setting who left no patient behind in their health journey, in the ambulatory care setting who ensured patients were engaged with their health as a genuine stakeholder, in the hospital setting who advocated for patients at their sickest, in academia who worked to preserve the integrity of our profession, and in research who collaborated all over the world to make our patients everywhere healthier. I can only hope to be as good a pharmacist as those before me and am humbled by the opportunity to do so upon graduating. |
What area of pharmacy practice are you most interested in, and why?
| NS: | Critical care has always stood out to me because of the complexity and intensity it demands. In the ICU, there’s often not a straightforward answer—patients are unstable, evidence is sometimes limited, and decisions often live in gray areas. I’m drawn to that environment because it requires you to be clinically sharp, adaptable, and collaborative. I appreciate that pharmacists in critical care don’t just consult—they lead, often guiding therapeutic choices that can shift the trajectory of someone’s care. |
| JS: | My current practice interest is in acute care, with specialized interests in critical care and transplant. That said, I'm keeping an open mind and look forward to exploring a variety of experiences in my early career. |
Nora, a year after your match placement, where are you located now? Jude, where did you place for Match 2025? What drew you to this residency?
| NS: | I am currently a pharmacy resident in the PGY-2 Critical Care Pharmacy Residency Program at Dignity Health St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center, an academic teaching hospital in Phoenix, Arizona. As a Level 1 trauma center with 120 adult ICU beds, the hospital offers a high-acuity environment that aligns perfectly with my interest in complex, critically ill patients. It’s also home to nationally recognized centers like Barrow Neurological Institute and Norton Thoracic Institute, which adds to the depth and diversity of clinical exposure. What stood out to me was how pharmacists are fully integrated into the interdisciplinary team—leading therapeutic decisions, contributing to research, and helping manage some of the most challenging cases in the hospital. It’s a place where I knew I’d be pushed to grow and supported in making a meaningful impact. |
| JS: | Northwestern Memorial Hospital (NMH) drew my interest for many reasons. Objectively, it houses broad patient care experiences across a very diverse population, has robust research opportunities, and is made up of a very impressive team of clinicians that I look forward to learning from. More importantly, NMH demonstrates a commitment towards producing well-rounded individuals who serve the greater community, coupled with a very holistic and humble approach to patient care. These values are very much aligned with my own, and I can't wait to see the personal and professional growth I'll undergo in the next year with them. |
What is it like having a sibling in the same profession?
| NS: | Having a sibling in the same profession has been an incredibly special experience—one filled with pride, support, and growth. It has been rewarding to watch my sister develop into a confident and capable clinician, and I’ve cherished the role of offering guidance and sharing my experiences with her. The chance to debrief clinical challenges, celebrate wins, and simply share the highs and lows of training has strengthened both our bond and our professional development. She’s taught me to approach problems with fresh eyes, and I’ve been inspired by her dedication and curiosity. It’s a rare kind of connection, and I’m grateful for it. |
| JS: | There's something really endearing about the duality we get to share. We've seen all versions of each other, now including professional, which I think is a privilege not many have with their siblings. While pharmacy isn't as focal a point in our relationship as many might think, we've always supported and cheered each other on in private and in public. I'm very grateful to have someone so close to me who has gone through the same rigorous, yet rewarding process that I am currently going through, and who so wholly understands my journey, even if it's a little different than her own. |
What advice would you give to someone just starting out in pharmacy school?
| NS: | Focus on developing a growth mindset. Pharmacy school and the extracurriculars that come with it can feel overwhelming, but remember that learning is a process, and you won’t have all the answers immediately. Instead of just memorizing facts, focus on understanding the "why" behind every therapeutic decision. Embrace complexity and don’t shy away from situations where the data is unclear or the decisions are challenging. Stay curious, ask thoughtful questions, and be open to feedback—these will accelerate your growth. I also encourage you to get involved early, whether through student organizations, research, or community service. These experiences will deeply enrich your learning, expand your network, and help you develop leadership skills. Remember, pharmacy is a collaborative field, so being intentional about engaging with your peers and mentors will go a long way. And don’t be afraid to make mistakes—they often offer the most valuable lessons. Be patient with yourself, take it one step at a time, and celebrate the small wins along the way. Every bit of progress builds the foundation for becoming the pharmacist you want to be. |
| JS: | Enjoy the journey! A really great mentor of mine used to, and still reminds me of this. Four years is both a very short and long time, and if you stay too preoccupied with the future, you'll miss out on a lot of great experiences, relationships, and opportunities in the present. Don't be afraid to try something new or deviate from your initial plan— you owe it to yourself to find both your true self and passions! |