A Once-in a Lifetime Opportunity for Two Pharm.D. Students

On the first day the COVID-19 vaccine became available, December 14, 2020,  two third-year students, Ashley Dabalsa (’22) and Laura Perez-Gutierrez (’22) had an experience of a lifetime – they were involved in reconstituting for administration the COVID-19 vaccine at Memorial Healthcare System (MHS), which was the first institution that started providing the vaccines in South Florida.

Here is what Ashley and Laura say about the experience:

“Today was one of the biggest days of my life. I was the first person to reconstitute the vial and draw up the first syringes of the COVID-19 vaccine in all of South Florida. Not only was I able to represent this amazing healthcare system that I work for, but I was able to represent …[the] College of Pharmacy … at Nova Southeastern University. Being able to be a pharmacy intern for Memorial Healthcare System gave me this opportunity of a lifetime.”

“Thanks to Dorinda Segovia (’92), I was able to have this life changing moment. God only knows how grateful and thankful I am to have such an amazing mentor as her in my life. I wouldn’t be half of the pharmacy intern that I am today if it weren’t for her guidance, advice, love and care that she gives me constantly. There is truly no one out there like her, she is truly one in a million. Thanks to her, all the executives in Memorial and our CEO Aurelio Fernandez we were 1 out of 5 hospitals in the state of Florida receiving this vaccine firsthand.”

“This morning was one for the books! I was fortunate enough to be one of only two students from Nova Southeastern University College of Pharmacy who were part of the compounding for administration of the COVID-19 vaccine at Memorial Healthcare System, which was the first institution that started providing the vaccines today in South Florida.

I can’t thank you enough Dorinda Segovia for all the guidance and effort you have put into guiding me through this journey. You are a huge part of my success as a professional!”