Judith Beizer, Pharm.D. decided to teach at St. John’s
University because of her belief in the Vincentian mission of the
University: “When the Vincentian mission was described to me, I
realized that it was very much in line with the way I view my role
as a health care provider. Providing care to the underserved
and teaching the children of immigrants fit well with my philosophy
of being a caring individual and giving back to society.”
As a winner of the Distinguished Alumna Award for Service to the
Profession from St. Louis College of Pharmacy, Dr. Beizer believes
that pharmacy is all about compassion and care for others. She
exemplifies this concern through her curriculum, “My students
participate with me in service when I conduct community
presentations to various senior groups, and I encourage them to
work with students when they become practicing pharmacists.”
One of the many things that drew Dr. Beizer to teaching at St.
John’s is the unity between students of various backgrounds and
cultures, “I love that St. John’s has such a multicultural,
multi-ethnic student body. All the students come here with very
different life experiences and backgrounds.” She believes that
staying current is a necessary part of being an educator who
reaches students of all backgrounds in the 21st century, “My
students keep me on my toes. I am constantly learning from
them.”
Dr. Beizer thinks the most fulfilling part about teaching at the
College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences is when her
students become pharmacists: “I love watching my students graduate
and become successful in the field of pharmacy. When they decide to
go into geriatrics, that’s even more fulfilling; that’s when I know
that they actually understand and embody what I teach.”
Her advice for students pursuing a career in pharmacy: “There
are so many opportunities in pharmacy. Don’t say no to a new
opportunity just because you don’t think that’s what you
want. When I was in pharmacy school, I never imagined myself
living in New York, teaching geriatric pharmacy at a Catholic
university. I was going to specialize in pediatrics and work
in a hospital; and here I am at the top of my field.”