Sabrina Ton ’26 watches as patients approach her table, medications in hand and concern in their eyes. With a reassuring smile, she reaches out to greet them, hoping to ease their worries and help them feel more confident in managing their health.

As a project manager for Operation Diabetes, Ton engages directly with the community by monitoring patients’ A1C levels and offering cholesterol and blood pressure screenings at local health fairs. For her, these moments are more than service, they are reminders of why she chose pharmacy.

“Applying what I learned in class to real-world patient counseling — and seeing the difference even small interventions can make — is incredibly fulfilling,” said Ton.

These interactions remind Ton of her own family’s health journey. While caring for her grandmother, who was diagnosed with liver cancer, she witnessed firsthand the vital role pharmacists play as part of the health care team.

“I want to help others feel healthier, supported and cared for,” reflected Ton.

For Ton, a first-generation college student, scholarships are more than financial support, they are a source of motivation.

“Receiving scholarships reminds me that my hard work is recognized,” she said. “It has also given me the means to attend networking events and pharmacy conferences, where I’ve met mentors and discovered career opportunities I might not have otherwise.”