Alumna Healthcare Advocate Thanks Family for Success
For Mary Choy ’05Pharm.D., family is everything.
Her mother’s suggestion to study pharmacy laid the foundation for Dr. Choy’s expansive medical expertise and success as an author, professor, clinician, public health advocate, strategist, and sought-after public speaker.
I am the first generation in my family to go to college and do all these things. My family encouraged me throughout my journey at St. John's.
- Pharmacy PharmD
- College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
For Mary Choy ’05Pharm.D., family is everything.
Her mother’s suggestion to study pharmacy laid the foundation for Dr. Choy’s expansive medical expertise and success as an author, professor, clinician, public health advocate, strategist, and sought-after public speaker.
Dr. Choy’s commute to St. John’s University’s Queens, NY, campus from her home in Brooklyn, NY was long, but worthwhile, due to the valuable classroom learning and hands-on experience she gained across various parts of the pharmacy industry.
Campus memories of Philly cheesesteaks in the St. John’s School of Law cafeteria and study sessions at the library were enhanced by a unique opportunity: Dr. Choy and her classmates were featured in a documentary, Pharmacists: Unsung Heroes, filmed during her rotation.
“Pharmacy students and faculty were involved,” she recalled. “It showcased what pharmacists do, and reaffirmed that we are a vital part of the healthcare system.”
Dr. Choy’s preceptor, Sharon See, Pharm.D., Clinical Professor and Associate Dean, Department of Pharmacy Practice, was an influential mentor. “I saw the level of respect that physicians and other healthcare workers gave her in the hospital setting, and how she was an integral part of the care team,” Dr. Choy said.
Clinical experience convinced Dr. Choy that residency was her next best step. She matched with Veterans Affairs New York Harbor Healthcare System and began teaching at Long Island University.
“I was very interested in medical writing,” she said. “After my residency, I realized I should go into academia.”
Dr. Choy returned to her alma mater, making the jump from St. John’s student to professor, and was soon tapped as founding faculty member of the Touro College of Pharmacy, where she designed the curriculum, developed the process for hiring faculty, and created elective writing courses. She envisioned the new program as student-centered and emphasized the importance of understanding diverse patient populations.
A Fellow of the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, she went on to serve as President of the New York City Society of Health-system Pharmacists(NYCSHP) and Director of Pharmacy Practice for the New York State Council of Health-system Pharmacists.
Dr. Choy’s fluency in Cantonese strengthened her longstanding commitment to equity, enabling her presentations to senior citizens to be especially impactful. In the public health arena, she managed immunization clinics, as well as blood pressure screenings across underserved communities in New York City. Her advocacy won multiple honors, including the 2016 ASHP/Association of Black Health System Pharmacists Joint Leadership Award for exceptional leadership to reduce racial and ethnic disparities in health care. She was also recognized by the American Pharmacists Association for advancing vaccination rates, and received citations from both the New York State Assembly and New York City Council.
As a medical expert for Verywell Health, she provided strategic guidance on initiatives such as launching a drug database and advising on the recruitment of writers and clinical reviewers. “It’s fulfilling to be part of something that helps others better understand their health,” she said.
Dr. Choy continues to consult with providers on health information, messaging, brand strategy, competitive analysis, and professional education. She is a prolific author of journal articles and several books, with more projects currently in development. She co-authored the award-winning book Healthcare Heroes: The Medical Careers Guide, aimed at educating students ages 11 and up, and co-edited McGraw Hill’s textbook Pharmacology: An Introduction. She received the Harold Neham Memorial Award from NYCSHP in 2012 for her contributions to literature within her field.
Dr. Choy and her family live in New York City, with those strong bonds forever holding a special place in her heart. “I am the first generation in my family to go to college and do all these things. My family encouraged me throughout my journey at St. John’s, and even to this day, they are very supportive of everything that I do. I wouldn’t be here without them.”
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