Looking Back On the LIU Pharmacy Student Leadership Series

Marina Yacoub, Pharm.D. Candidate 2025

What defines a great leader? Prior to this semester, I did not have a definitive answer to this question. However, after attending the leadership series hosted by Professor Hodurski, Dean Topolski, and Dr. Fidler, I understood the real meaning of leadership and its importance. Leaders are those who empower a group of individuals toward a common goal. Leaders take responsibility and communicate effectively by understanding different communication styles. They approach different situations by providing direction, giving constructive feedback, and offering support. Most of all, leaders inspire others to become leaders themselves. As future pharmacists, our profession calls us to become leaders in the healthcare community. Our role is to provide care for our patients and help optimize their health conditions and medications. This can only be facilitated by implementing our leadership skills. When we apply these skills into our profession, we can communicate with our patients and healthcare providers effectively and inspire our team by setting an example to follow. Let’s not only graduate as great pharmacists, but as great leaders as well!