PharmD Student Spotlight: Diyana Ahmad
Diyana Ahmad is a fourth-year PharmD candidate at the R. Ken Coit College of Pharmacy. She is passionate about ambulatory care, infectious diseases, and advancing health equity, particularly in underserved and rural communities. Through her involvement as an AzAHEC Scholar and group leader in Apache Junction, she has worked on community-based health education initiatives focused on chronic disease prevention, medication access, and patient empowerment. Ahmad is deeply interested in academic pharmacy and mentorship, and hopes to combine clinical practice with teaching in the future. Her long-term goal is to serve patients in underserved areas while also helping train the next generation of pharmacists.
Recently, Ahmad was an honorable mention honoree for the 2025 AHEC Alumni-Advocate of the Year Award. She was selected as an honoree because she exemplifies sustained leadership and service, advancing education, mentorship, and community partnerships that strengthen healthcare in her community. She, along with the other honorable mention honorees, will be recognized at the National AHEC Week in March 2026. The Area Health Education Center (AHEC) Program is a national initiative created by Congress in 1971 to recruit, train, and retain a health professions workforce committed to improving healthcare access in underserved areas. Through education, training, and mentorship grounded in community-based learning and collaborative partnerships, AHECs help prepare a skilled workforce to meet local and regional healthcare needs. Today, nearly 300 AHECs serve communities across 44 states and six U.S. territories, strengthening pathways into health careers and supporting care delivery nationwide.
Q & A
How do I see the role of a pharmacist evolving in the next decade?
- I see pharmacists becoming even more integrated into direct patient care. We are already moving beyond dispensing and into provider-level responsibilities, especially in ambulatory care, chronic disease management, and preventive health. I believe pharmacists will continue expanding collaborative practice agreements, prescribing authority, and public health roles. With increasing provider shortages, pharmacists will play a key role in improving access to care, especially in rural and underserved communities.
How has my experience in pharmacy school changed my perspective on healthcare?
- Pharmacy school has completely changed how I view healthcare. I used to think healthcare was mainly about treating disease. Now I understand it is about prevention, education, access, and addressing social determinants of health. Through my rotations and AHEC experiences, I have seen how transportation, language barriers, and health literacy affect patient outcomes just as much as medications. It has made me more patient-centered and more aware of healthcare disparities.
How do I plan to continue my education and professional development after graduation?
- After graduation, I plan to pursue a PGY1 pharmacy residency to strengthen my clinical skills and build confidence in managing complex patients. Long-term, I am interested in combining clinical practice with academia. I plan to stay active in professional organizations, attend conferences, participate in research, and seek mentorship opportunities so I can continue growing both clinically and as a future educator.
What is my personal motto or mantra that keeps me motivated during challenging times?
- My personal motto is, “Growth happens outside your comfort zone.” As a first-generation college student and someone who immigrated to the United States, I have faced many challenges. Pharmacy school pushed me in ways I never expected, but every difficult moment helped me grow stronger and more confident. I remind myself that challenges are opportunities for growth, not barriers.
What is the most surprising thing I’ve learned about myself since starting pharmacy school?
- The most surprising thing I’ve learned about myself is that I am capable of more than I ever thought. When I started pharmacy school, I doubted myself often. Over time, through leadership roles, research projects, and patient care experiences, I discovered that I can lead, teach, and advocate for patients with confidence. Pharmacy school helped me find my voice as a future healthcare professional.