Russell DiGate, Ph.D., Dean, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, with Andrew Kwong
May 28, 2020
Originally from Manalapan, NJ, Andrew Kwong took his first steps toward a career in the pharmaceutical industry, working as a pharmacy intern at his local CVS Pharmacy. Today, he prepares to embark on the next step in his journey: a position with ZS Associates, a professional services firm in Princeton, NJ.
“St. John’s provided me with the resources and skills to complete two internships and two experimental pharmacy rotations across the medical affairs, regulatory affairs, and clinical development functions,” he said, after completing six years in the Doctor of Pharmacy program at the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (CPHS). “My work in the community and in hospitals piqued my interest in exploring the big picture of where pharmaceuticals come from.”
As a Strategy Insights and Planning Associate Consultant, Andrew will create and deliver commercial solutions for clients and project teams within the pharmaceutical industry. This will involve applying problem-solving frameworks to client issues, supporting clients in change initiatives, and employing standard analytic techniques to help guide client decisions.
“Understanding the value of medicine is what initially drew me to pursue pharmacy school,” he said. “As a student, my faculty mentors in CPHS guided me and instilled in me important core values.”
Through the pharmacy program, Andrew and his classmates participated in a wide range of community service and professional organization activities, including hosting health fairs and visiting local schools to educate people on safe medication practices and proper medication therapy management.
Andrew’s fondest memory of his time at St. John’s is attending the CPHS graduation each year and listening to the graduating class recite the Oath of a Pharmacist.
“Although my class will not be able to participate in the traditional graduation this year, I am still grateful for my time and education at St. John’s,” he said. “For the past six years, my class has grown together as peers. We all look forward to becoming licensed pharmacists and representing St. John’s University.”