Veteran’s Day Spotlight: Mildren Curran and Robert Gersten
Veterans have long played a vital role in shaping the health professions, bringing discipline, leadership, and a profound sense of service to their communities. Across the country, countless veterans have transitioned from military life to careers in health care, where their experience, adaptability, and commitment to teamwork continue to save and improve lives.
At the R. Ken Coit College of Pharmacy, that legacy began shortly after World War II. When the college opened its doors to its very first class, 92% of the 25 students were returning veterans, men who had helped liberate Europe and then set their sights on building a future through medicine and science. Their determination, fueled by the opportunities provided through the GI Bill, transformed not only their own lives but also the trajectory of pharmacy education in Arizona.
The GI Bill made higher education accessible to millions of veterans after the war, and its impact was especially profound at the Coit College of Pharmacy. These student-soldiers brought with them a deep sense of purpose that shaped the college’s early culture, rooted in perseverance, service, and community. That same spirit endures today, embodied in the veterans who study and work within the College of Pharmacy.
In honor of Veterans Day, we’re spotlighting two members of the College’s community: Mildred Curran, Director of Student Services and an Army National Guard veteran, and Robert Gersten, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and current PharmD student. Their stories exemplify the strength and dedication that veterans bring to the field of pharmacy.
Mildred Curran | Director of Student Services
Mildred served in the Army National Guard for 11 years, beginning in water purification before then transitioning to a heavy vehicle truck driver role after moving to Washington State. She met her husband in the military and has two daughters, both U of A alumni, along with two dogs, Dolce and Nougat. She has worked for the university for 13 years, most of that time spent working in engineering before joining the College of Pharmacy in 2024.
How do you think military experience has prepared you for working in the College of Pharmacy?
- Military service teaches you to quickly learn a wide range of skills, adapt to change, and work effectively with diverse groups of people, all qualities that serve me well working in higher education.
How do you feel military service prepared you to become a leader?
- As I had advanced to squad leader, I had the opportunity to train new soldiers, lead convoys, write Operations Orders, and present to others. Those experiences built my confidence as a leader and taught me the importance of preparation, accountability, and teamwork.
What was the most memorable military experience you remember?
- Two moments stand out. The first is the lifelong bonds and friendships formed with fellow soldiers, who truly become family. The second came after my service, volunteering with the Honor Flight in November 2023. Supporting veterans on that journey was both humbling and unforgettable.
Robert Gertsen | Class of 2029
Robert was born in Phoenix, AZ, where he has lived most of his life. He grew up closer to Mesa and Tempe, where he attended Mesa Mountain View. Robert joined the US Marine Corps almost right out of high school before being honorably discharged in 2015. He was working towards becoming a veterinarian, but his career took a detour and he is now proudly pursuing his PharmD at U of A as part of the class of 2029.
How do you think your military experience has prepared you for the PharmD program and as a future pharmacist?
- I think the military really prepares you to just focus on pushing past problems. I think it’s been far easier than before when I was enlisted to be systematic about how I approach challenges. In a professional setting, I think this skill is invaluable in helping identify what the core issue is and developing a plan to resolve it.
How do you feel military service prepared you to become a leader?
- The military generally has tons of opportunities to take on leadership roles, so that experience just helped a ton when transitioning to anything else that requires me to be in that role. I also found it invaluable to observe how other people handled being leaders (for good and bad).
What was the most memorable military experience you remember?
- My most memorable experience was probably having to wake up at 5 am and run almost every day. My knees still hurt. But really just being around other people experiencing the same hardship as you helped me build some lifelong friendships that I really appreciate.
What area of pharmacy practice are you most interested in, and why?
- I’m interested in cancer therapies. I have several family members who either passed away from or are survivors of cancer.
How do you unwind after a particularly tough exam or clinical rotation?
- Basketball is my go-to for relieving stress. If not basketball, then gaming with some friends.
What’s one thing you’ve learned from a fellow pharmacy student that has inspired you?
- Not one thing, but I think a lot of my classmates are brilliant people. I’ve learned a lot about how to approach my classes by observing or asking how my peers study for exams or just generally try to learn. It’s inspiring.
What’s the most surprising thing you’ve learned about yourself since starting pharmacy school?
- I can still wake up early if I put my mind to it! (I still snooze too much though)