Convocation Spotlight: Talia Santarossa

Talia Santarossa

A realization that she enjoyed working with people more than developing drugs led Talia Santarossa to pursue a PharmD and a career in health care working directly with patients. 

Here, Santarossa talks about giving back to her faculty and fellow students, her favourite spots on campus and the key to getting through a challenging program.

What drew you to this area of study?

During my undergraduate degree in pharmacology, I developed a foundation in how drugs work, but I quickly realized that I wasn’t particularly interested in basic science or drug development. My capstone project, where I examined the use of medical cannabis in Canadians with multiple sclerosis, confirmed that I was much more drawn to the clinical side of things. That experience, along with a curiosity about how medications are used in practice and a desire to pursue a career in health care, ultimately led me to pursue a PharmD. One of the things I enjoy most about pharmacy is the balance between direct patient care and applying clinical knowledge to create tailored care plans for each patient.

What are you most proud of from your time in the program?

I’ve experienced a lot of small wins, especially during my fourth-year rotations as I’ve gotten to work directly with patients in several settings. But what I’m most proud of is my involvement in student and faculty life. I served on the Alberta Pharmacy Students’ Association (APSA) council for three years, held two executive positions, and participated in several APSA and faculty committees. It was incredibly rewarding to have the opportunity to give back to the faculty and support my classmates throughout the program.

What were your go-to spots on campus? 

Before it closed, the John W. Scott Health Sciences Library was my go-to study spot — it was quiet, bright and had the perfect atmosphere for getting things done. And when it comes to food, Filistix has been a favourite of mine for comforting study fuel since undergrad!

What advice would you give to a student thinking of entering this program?

It’s a challenging program, but also incredibly rewarding. There may be times when it feels like different concepts don’t quite connect or content feels overwhelming, but by the end, everything comes together and it doesn’t feel quite as daunting anymore. The key is to work on understanding the “why” rather than relying on memorization alone.

What comes next for you?

I’ll be starting a residency in hospital pharmacy practice here in Edmonton. I’m especially looking forward to getting exposure to several different areas of practice, which I hope will help guide me toward where I’d ultimately like to specialize and build my career as a clinician.