Challenge during school: “During my second year in pharmacy school, I was called to active duty with the U.S. Army Reserves. At first I was skeptical that I’d be able to return and complete my education on time, but Dean Peter Doukas came to my aid and spoke with my commanders about my school schedule. If it weren’t for his intervention, I wouldn’t be graduating until next year.”
Military service: “I’m very happy and proud to have served as a sergeant and pharmacy specialist at the U.S. Army Hospital in Wurzburg, Germany. While there, I gained courage and learned the value of perseverance.” Ogbonna received an honorable discharge from active duty and the Global War on Terrorism medal.
Mentor: “Dean Doukas has been an integral part of my Temple life. It began when he gave a very captivating presentation at orientation. Since then he’s almost been like a father figure to me and has always been there. He’s encouraged me to continue my education and told me about various career paths in pharmacy, which led me to take the business track at Temple, as well as pursue an M.B.A.”
Working his way through school: Currently a poison information provider at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia’s Poison Control Center, Ogbonna also worked for GlaxoSmithKline as a campus consumer healthcare representative, and interned at Cephalon Inc. and the Temple University Hospital pharmacy while in school.
Career goals: “Having a pharmacy degree is important to pharmaceutical companies and a business degree will help me get into management and supervisory positions. My specific area of interest is pharmacoeconomics and outcomes research, which helps us to know more about the value of healthcare, quality-of-life measures and cost-effectiveness in relation to the money we spend on healthcare.”
Why I chose Temple: “I was accepted at other pharmacy schools but chose Temple because my cousin told me so many good things about the school and the strength and diversity of the faculty. I also chose Temple because of its good academic reputation and strength in research, as well as the availability of its teaching hospital.”
Non-science pursuits: When he’s not studying or working, Ogbonna likes to go to the gym, watch cable news, swim, play table tennis and travel.
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