Alumni Spotlight: Janelle Hunter '01

For Janelle Hunter, PharmD, the path to becoming a pharmacist was not always a clear one. What began as a small, serendipitous schedule change during an otherwise average school event has evolved into a twenty-four year long career in the field that is still inspiring her today.

As they prepared to select a future career path, Hunter and her twin sister, Danelle, had initially planned to attend a session on aerospace engineering together, which was being hosted at their school’s career day. Both of them were already eager to pursue their passions in STEM-related fields and envisioned a future in engineering. When the session was unexpectedly cancelled, however, they had to adjust quickly – and settled on a session presented by a pharmacist.

“Honestly, I don’t remember exactly what the pharmacist said during the presentation,” Hunter recalled about this formative moment in her career. “What I do remember is how compelling and passionate they were about health care. That passion struck a chord in both of us. As we left the room, my sister and I exchanged a look—a wordless understanding that I believe only twins can share. In that moment, we knew our future had shifted, and we had an important decision to make.”

From that point on, the two of them set out to learn everything they could about the world of pharmacy professions, and quickly realized that the U of A would be the ideal way for them to achieve their goals. “We spoke about it as though it was already done,” she added. “That sense of clarity and determination solidified our path.”

Hunter and her sister both graduated from the Coit College of Pharmacy in 2001 with their PharmD degrees, and she recalls fondly her time spent with the college as an undergrad and the support networks she found there for students like her. “My time in pharmacy school was when I was first truly challenged in my educational career. However, I never felt lost or on my own. Besides going through pharmacy school with my twin sister, faculty and staff offered great support in all areas. Staff checked in and offered tutoring. They were concerned with our well-being. We even had a professor that held Bible study during the week (That first year, I felt like I prayed more than I studied).” Of particular note to her was how helpful the college was to her, even during the application and pre-requisite courses phase, going above and beyond to support her academic journey. She was especially grateful for Ted Tong, PharmD, a professor with the college who has nurtured and inspired generations of pharmacy students just like Hunter. “He made sure to support me during my annual career day, showing up every year I had it, and he gave campus tours for my students,” she said. “I feel so very blessed to have had my time at the college.”

After graduation, Hunter spent several years as a high school teacher and basketball coach hoping to educate and inspire, showcasing her drive to give back and inspire that same passion that was ignited for her as a student. She served on the college’s Alumni Council for several years and has shown a commitment to excellence and alumni involvement with her donations to scholarships and her participation in events such as the Black History Month Speaker Series, where she was invited to speak to students in a presentation titled, “My Illusion of Success: A Journey of Self-Discovery, Authenticity, & Realizing Who I Am Beyond My Achievements”.

Beyond the world of pharmacy and academics, Hunter is an active member of her church community, playing piano for three decades with hopes of enriching the lives of others through music. She is driven by a desire to promote wellness and encourages and assists friends, family and patients to embrace their healthiest selves through holistic practices which include gut health, exercise and meditation. Below, she imparts some wisdom from her years in the field and advice to new pharmacy students.

Q & A

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

• Understand the concept of 'pay yourself first.' I come from a different time when college expenses were significantly lower, and paying off student loans wasn’t a major concern. While I understand how costly college has become for students today, I would still share the same advice that was given to me when I graduated: pay yourself first! 
   
  U of A college of pharmacy students are highly sought after, so making money won’t be an issue. However, it’s crucial to prioritize sustaining your finances for emergencies, rainy days, and the long-term goal of retirement. Currently, students aren’t living on the six-figure salaries they’ll eventually earn. But it’s essential to try living on a similar budget to their student years for a few years post-graduation to pay off/pay down loans and build good financial habits. 
   
  Additionally, it’s important to maximize contributions to a company’s 401(k) and stock options. Determine a comfortable percentage of your income to consistently invest in these opportunities. Start building a diversified financial portfolio, including investments in the stock market.  “Pay yourself first” means allocating money to your financial goals as soon as you receive your paycheck. This ensures that the funds go directly toward savings, investments, or other priorities in your portfolio. You know what you earn—you don’t need to prove it to anyone else. And if any of this doesn’t make sense… ask questions.
   

What are some of your hobbies or interests that help you maintain balance?

• My hobbies and interests are deeply rooted in the fascinating fields of pharmacy and healthcare. I have a passion for learning, which extends to educating others. While pharmacy is a vital part of healthcare, I also enjoy exploring other areas that directly impact our patients’ experiences. As I age, my focus on health becomes increasingly important. I actively work on improving and maintaining my well-being, often experimenting with various approaches to fitness, gut health, meditation, and more. Essentially, I'm my own Guinea pig. The wealth of research available on different aspects of health captivates me; at this stage in my life, I feel a strong desire to understand it all. I'm addicted to learning. This pursuit has almost become an obsession for me as I strive to see the complete picture of holistic health. I am continually amazed by the power of medication to restore health, prevent disease, and save lives. As a pharmacist, I also seek to understand the preventive measures we can take to minimize the need for these medications in the first place.
   

How do you stay passionate about pharmacy after years in the field?

• I took a break from pharmacy for a few years to pursue a career in education as a high school teacher. During that time, I felt challenged—whether by God, the universe, or however one chooses to interpret it—to reflect on what truly mattered in my life. Stepping away from a lucrative career gave me a deeper appreciation for life itself. 
   
  My passion lies in learning, serving, educating, and encouraging others. This hiatus allowed me to fully embrace those values. Teaching health and pharmacy technician courses reignited my love for both learning and teaching. It also gave me the opportunity to explore health and the human body in greater depth. 
   
  When I eventually returned to pharmacy part-time, the perspective I gained during my hiatus profoundly shaped my approach to the profession. My efforts to live a meaningful and intentional life, along with a renewed love for myself and my blessings, made it easy to feel passionate about pharmacy once again. I now see it as one of my greatest gifts—a true blessing.
   

How would you like to be remembered by your colleagues and patients?

• As kind.