Jonathan Issa

Background

About Jonathan Issa

Nice to meet you, I'm Jonathan! I am a newly graduated PharmD from the University of Iowa College of Pharmacy, Class of 2025, and soon-to-be PGY1 Resident at Walgreens Specialty Pharmacy in Minneapolis, MN. I first developed an interest in pharmacy in high school, shadowing a local community pharmacist in Marion, IA, and learned that pharmacy is much more than counting pills; it's really about being a member of the community and helping the people we serve with all aspects of their care. Since then, I have gained work experience at Walgreens Pharmacy 5977, where the pharmacy manager has been a true inspiration of what a pharmacist should be. I have learned more about holistic healthcare from leading our pharmacies' MTM program, where we conduct Comprehensive Medication Reviews as well as Targeted Medication Reviews. These experiences have provided me with valuable insight into balancing multiple disease states within a single patient, as well as understanding how social determinants of health influence what an optimized medication regimen looks like for specific patients. During my time at the College of Pharmacy, I had the privilege to be a part of several amazing student organizations and national committees. I am a member of Phi Lambda Sigma (PLS), a pharmacy leadership society that requires nomination by peers based on demonstrated leadership qualities. Through PLS, I served on two national committees, the By-Laws Committee and the inaugural DEI Task Force, where I got to work with pharmacy students and pharmacists from across the country on improving and ensuring equity within the organization. I was a member of the Pharmacy Student Ambassador Network (PSAN), where we met with prospective students from other undergraduate colleges/universities, as well as high schools from around Iowa, and helped introduce them to what a pharmacist really does and the pharmacy program at Iowa. Most recently, I have had the opportunity to serve as an educator for Iowa Naloxone Expansion and Training (IA-NEXT), a grant-funded project aimed at educating the public and expanding naloxone access in the state of Iowa. As you read about the experiences that have led me down my path in pharmacy, I hope to be able to take the person in their environment and help everyone recognize that those we serve exist as a sum of the world around them. Most often, it is those who are marginalized who are underserved and underrepresented in our healthcare system. My goal is to continue serving marginalized and underserved populations that often fall through the cracks in healthcare.