Insights from MSA Leadership

Unsa Imran, Pharm.D. Candidate 2027

In the realm of healthcare, cultural competency is an indispensable attribute. As a pharmacy student at LIU and the president of the Muslim Student Association (MSA), I find myself at the crossroads of two worlds —pharmacy education and cultural advocacy. Cultural competency in pharmacy encompasses understanding and respecting diverse cultural backgrounds to provide effective care. My role as MSA president has deepened my appreciation for the rich mixtures of cultures within the Muslim community. MSA has undertaken initiatives that highlight the intersection of healthcare and cultural sensitivity including health seminars, community health outreach, and dialogues on healthcare experiences within the Muslim community. One of the most significant examples is our annual Flu Shot Clinic held at a local mosque in Staten Island, in collaboration with LIU APhA-ASP. Hosting the clinic at a local mosque allowed us to build trust between healthcare providers and the Muslim community. Trust is a critical component of cultural competence because it enables open and honest communication between patients and healthcare professionals. As pharmacy students, we must champion cultural competency, embracing the diverse backgrounds of our future patients. This journey has shown me the transformative potential of cultural competency in pharmacy practice. It's a journey we should be eager to continue in order to foster a more inclusive and compassionate healthcare landscape.