Building Trust & Making A Difference Through The Pharmacy Profession

Shenandoah University second-year Doctor of Pharmacy student Roxana Sasaninejad further explored her deep interest in the legislative and advocacy sides of pharmacy earlier this fall when she attended the Vaccines Work press conference hosted by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont) on Capitol Hill. 

Walking into the Dirksen Senate Office Building for the event “felt like stepping into the heartbeat of public health advocacy,” said Sasaninejad, who is the junior representative of the Virginia Pharmacy Association (VPhA) for Shenandoah’s Bernard J. Dunn School of Pharmacy. 

She learned about the event from her mentor and adviser, Renee Thomas, Pharm.D., who is both an adjunct associate professor of pharmacy practice at Shenandoah and a fellow of the American Pharmacists Association (APhA). “Since I’m based in Northern Virginia and have experience in media, she encouraged me to attend. It was the perfect opportunity to merge my two passions — pharmacy and communications — and represent not only Shenandoah University but also the pharmacy community at large on a national platform,” Sasaninejad said. 

“I had the privilege of meeting Dr. Georges Benjamin, executive director of the American Public Health Association, Dr. Woodie Kessel of Doctors for America, and Dr. Roger Mitchell of the National Medical Association — leaders representing tens of thousands of health professionals nationwide. Each spoke with conviction about shared responsibility of health-care professionals to rebuild public trust and protect community well-being,” she said. “Meeting leaders of that magnitude — and hearing them emphasize unity across disciplines — was deeply inspiring. It reminded me that advocacy doesn’t start ‘someday’; it starts the moment you decide to show up.”

The experience of attending the event further impressed upon her the shared mission of all health-care professionals – to build a healthier, more informed community. She also realized how very important communication is to reaching that goal.

When public trust is built through transparency, education, and genuine dialogue, science has its greatest impact. And when doubts arise about vaccines or any public-health issue, our role is not to dismiss; it’s to listen, understand, and respond with accurate information supported by evidence and compassion.

Roxana Sasaninejad, P2 Doctor of Pharmacy student

When it comes to discussing vaccines, she said she wants people to remember “that vaccines aren’t just about science — they’re about people.” Sasaninejad said while vaccines are the result of many years of research, data and care and designed to prevent pain before it begins, she understands that questions and fears exist that “come from wanting to make the right choice for yourself and your family. That’s where pharmacists and other health professionals come in. And at the end of the day, health professionals aren’t here to take sides — only to stand on the side that protects the health and well-being of their community.”

Once she earns her pharmacy degree, she said her mission will be to build bridges between science and the public. “In the years ahead, I plan to continue engaging in advocacy through organizations like VPhA and APhA, while using communication and storytelling to reveal the heart behind the profession. Pharmacy isn’t just about dispensing medication — it’s about healing through connection, advocacy, and trust. My greatest goal is to leave an impact rooted in science, empathy, and love for the community I serve.”