Meet Onye Ononogbu

Onye Ononogbu

In high school, I knew what I wanted my career to be early on.

I grew up as one of seven children, and one summer my mother was taking my older brother to a pharmacy orientation at the University of Connecticut. I tagged along. We sat through the orientation, and they handed out a book titled “Pfizer’s Guide to Pharmaceutical Careers.” I skimmed through the book, and I was shocked. I didn’t know that pharmacists had so many options in the types of employment that they could have. All I knew was that pharmacists worked in retail spaces (such as Walgreens and CVS). That orientation started my journey in the world of pharmacy.

Once I graduated high school, I applied to colleges and universities. My GPA wasn’t the best, so my plan was to apply to any school and then transfer to a school that had a pharmacy program. I was accepted into a state school and was extremely distracted. I was partying and failing classes. So, I transferred to the University of Connecticut and engulfed myself in all things pharmacy. To get into the program was extremely competitive, and I was declined from the program twice. I finally decided to get a degree and then apply to outside schools. When I graduated, I applied to 14 schools and was rejected from them all. I was devastated. Especially because all of my friends were going away to Law school, Med School, Dental School, etc. I just felt like a failure.

After graduation, my mother pulled a couple of strings and got me a job at the hospital she worked in. I became a drug treatment advocate, helping those addicted to narcotics to prevent risky behaviors that may lead to HIV/AIDS. It was an excellent job. However, I felt that they were missing one thing… A PHARMACIST! I applied to pharmacy schools again, this time with more confidence and an understanding of how to work with patients. I was finally accepted into pharmacy school,, and I was excited to finally focus on the thing that I loved.

Pharmacy school was in San Antonio, Tx. I was a long way from home in Connecticut; however, I was enjoying the hot weather and the food. I thrived in pharmacy school. I finished Cum Laude and served as President, Vice President, and a National Executive Board role for several organizations during my time in pharmacy school. When it was time to graduate, however, I felt kind of lost; I didn’t really know what was next. I remember reaching out to a good friend who graduated before me and asked him what should I be doing and what opportunities are really out there for us. He took time to create a timeline for me, and under each month, it stated what I should be doing and what should be completed. It was such a blessing.

With the help of that timeline, I landed a residency position at Howard University Hospital. I was extremely excited. At this point in my career, I was focused on HIV medicine. However, when I got there, HIV medicine was no longer available, and I was asked to change my focus. I was so disappointed because HIV, up until that point, had been my passion. I chose a Hematology/Oncology elective, and by the end of the elective, I was in love with Cancer medicine. I couldn’t believe it because I was so stuck on HIV medicine. After residency I got a job at a hospital and was able to work with the Cancer team.

Shortly after, I got engaged and had to move to Houston, TX (this was in 2016). Once I got to Houston, I was jobless for 3 months. It was hard finding a job. I didn’t have my Board certification in Oncology at the time, and no one was hiring unless you did two years of residency or had an Oncology certification. A good friend of mine was a resident at one of the hospitals in Houston and asked me if I wanted to do a part-time/as needed position. I was ecstatic and told him yes! I went for the interview, and after the interview, they asked me if I would like to come on full-time working in their cancer unit. I couldn’t believe it.

That same year one of my students, when I was a resident, reached out to me asking if I wanted to join him as co-founder of Pharmacy Initiative Leaders (PILs). This would be an organization that coaches 4th-year pharmacy students to prepare them for their residency or fellowship interviews. I said yes because I remember when I was a student, I didn’t have any guidance. So, we founded PILs in 2016. Today we have had a 90% success rate in helping our proteges be matched with residencies and fellowship programs. We have also matched almost 200 candidates.

I ended up getting a promotion after moving to another hospital, and I also got my Oncology Board Certification. After 3 years at that hospital, it was time for a change, and I became faculty in 2021.

It was a beautiful transition; I became a mother of 3, I became a researcher of sickle cell disease, multiple myeloma, and health disparities, quality improvement, and all that I have learned over the years, I get to teach and mentor students just like me.

It has not been a smooth road.

1. To being declined from 14 pharmacy schools

2. Having a focus in HIV medicine that was my passion to having to choose another elective in Oncology which ended up working out in the long run; however, at the time it was devastating.

3. Not being promoted at a certain job because I didn’t have “the credentials they needed” at the time. However, later being hired at another hospital prior to getting the credentials and then getting the credentials after being hired in the promoted role.

1. Academic: Currently serving as an Assistant Professor at the University of Houston in the Department of Pharmacy Practice and Translational Research, I combine academic responsibilities with my clinical practice to stay at the forefront of the field. My research explores the intersection of health disparities, Sickle Cell Disease, and Multiple Myeloma, shedding light on critical issues and paving the way for innovative solutions.

2. Clinical Practice: As a Board-Certified Hematology/Oncology Clinical Pharmacy Specialist, I maintain a clinical practice site at the UT Physicians Comprehensive Sickle Cell Center, where I manage complex patient cases and conduct disparities research.

3. Empowering the Future of Pharmacy: Driven by my commitment to mentorship and professional development, I am a Co-founder and Board Member of Pharmacy Initiative Leaders, a non-profit organization dedicated to guiding pharmacy students towards securing post-doctoral residency or fellowship programs of their choice. Through this initiative, I hope to empower the next generation of pharmacy leaders to excel in their careers and make a lasting impact on patient care.

4. Advocate for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: Recognizing the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion in healthcare, I am a staunch advocate for ensuring equal access to quality care for all patients. I am dedicated to promoting cultural competency, improving patient-provider communication, fostering an inclusive healthcare environment, and providing actionable strategies for healthcare professionals and institutions.

I am a knowledgeable professional who brings a wealth of expertise to the field of pharmacy practice and healthcare. With a strong focus on health disparities and a passion for improving patient outcomes, I am also a speaker that brings insightful perspectives and impactful presentations on health equity.

Tomorrow is not promised for anyone, so love and live hard. Don’t take life for granted and trust God and live with purpose.

• Website: www.pilsconnect.org
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/onyejadepharmdbcop77