Catching Up with the Class of 2019

DR. NADA A L SUHEBANY

Dr. Nada Alsuhebany Looks to Share Her Passion for Oncology

Dr. Nada Alsuhebany discovered her passion for oncology thanks to UIC, and she plans to share that enthusiasm with future generations of students as a professor herself.

Now finishing an oncology residency at the Medical University of South Carolina, Alsuhebany decided to dedicate herself to oncology after completing a rotation in that field at UIC.

“I saw how important the role of a pharmacist is in oncology,” she said. “I was amazed by how patients appreciate the role of pharmacists, as we’re heavily involved in patient education and giving recommendations to the team. If the pharmacist wasn’t there, they would keep asking for her or him.”

After she completes her residency, Alsuhebany will teach oncology in the College of Pharmacy at King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences in her native Saudi Arabia.

UIC also shaped Alsuhebany’s decision to teach, she said.

“When I was a student, I saw the effect of teachers . . . faculty who are really passionate about something, it will be easier for me to understand the material,” she said. “And because I’m really passionate about oncology and love teaching . . . I really want to help students find what they’re passionate about.”

Dr. John Dicristofano

Dr. John Dicristofano Keeps Learning in Specialty Medication

In specialty pharmacy, Dr. John Dicristofano found a niche where he could keep learning—and use that knowledge to benefit patients and colleagues.

Now working with CVS Specialty, Dicristofano discovered that niche while completing his PGY1 residency. Focusing on drug information as the COVID-19 pandemic began, Dicristofano encountered many urgent questions about drug shortages, how to use medications correctly and related issues. Postresidency, he wanted to find an area that would put his developing affinity for and skills in drug information to use.

Specialty medication made a great fit. “I really enjoyed the drug information piece where I could research and continue to learn about all these new medications that are being approved . . . and contribute that back to providers and to patients,” he said.

In addition to providing eyeopening experiences in drug information, as well as a solid clinical foundation, UIC also helped Dicristofano achieve a major personal and family goal, he said. With the college’s support, he not only became the first in his family to go to college, but also completed his doctorate. “UIC gave me the opportunity to have that accomplishment and get to where I am now in my professional career,” he said.

Dr. Megan Rueth

From New Pharmacist to Manager in a Year, Dr. Megan Rueth Takes Charge

From her first day on the job, Dr. Megan Rueth carried herself like she was responsible for the whole pharmacy. Her bosses and coworkers noticed, and Rueth rose from pharmacist to manager at her CVS Pharmacy in Kansas City, Kansas, within a year.

Rueth said a leadership position was an immediate goal, so she worked to demonstrate her potential.

“Even when the other pharmacy managers weren’t in the store, I carried myself like I was the one in charge. I was always trying to initiate ways to make our pharmacy stronger and better,” she said. “And always, all the technicians really respected me. They looked up to me.”

Under her management, Rueth said, her team has distinguished itself by taking the initiative to help patients get prescriptions refilled and shine in other aspects of patient service. “Our patient care aspect has been through the roof lately.”

Rueth said the “UIC” on her CV has made a big difference in her career, too. “They were very beneficial even with getting retail jobs in the community,” she said. “Just the network is incredible, how many people went to UIC and how many opportunities you can get from that.”

Dr. Alina Varabyeva

Dr. Alina Varabyeva Will Always Choose the Patient First

For Dr. Alina Varabyeva, an externship at UIC proved life-changing.

During her oncology externship, Varabyeva worked closely with a patient whose English progressively worsened due to a brain tumor. The patient’s team came to rely on Varabyeva, who grew up in Belarus, to translate. “I really got to know the patient,” she said “The patient really relied on me. I became that integral part of the patient team.”

When, unfortunately, the team had to let the patient know his cancer had progressed and there weren’t many options left, Varabyeva made sure to be there, even skipping a study session.

“That is definitely one of my proudest moments where I knew that I’m that person. I will always choose the patient first,” she said. “Almost nothing could have made me not make that choice.”

Now completing her PGY2 residency in hematology/ oncology at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center in Buffalo, New York, Varabyeva knows exactly what she wants to do next. She’s applying for oncology clinical specialist jobs. “I learned early in my externship that everything we do can make a huge impact and actually save patients’ lives.”