Kevin Dong, PharmD

Kevin Dong, PharmD graduated from the University of Texas at Austin College of Pharmacy in 2023. In 2023, Kevin joined the University of the Pacific Fellowship in Industry Program partnered with VeganMed in the functional area of Medical Information. We caught up with Kevin to gain his insight on his current role in VeganMed and to provide feedback to prospective PharmD students interested in the fellowship route into industry.

How has your fellowship been so far?

"I felt overwhelmed throughout P4 year while juggling rotations, work, fellowship and applications/interviews, and my personal life. I was fortunate to have classmates who empathized with my responsibilities and encouraged me to never give up. I am also grateful that my family and friends supported me unconditionally and reminded me there's a world outside of pharmacy."

What made you decide to pursue a fellowship route?

"I decided to pursue a fellowship route because I want to teach others about their medication options and increase access to optimal patient care."

What made you decide to pursue your functional area? Did you apply to other functional areas during the fellowship application process?

"I initially pursued fellowships in medical affairs. I found medical information aligned with my skills and interests while working on different projects."

Have you considered applying into an entry level position (rather than a fellowship route)? Why or Why not?

"Yes, I applied to entry level positions. I chose the fellowship route for the unique learning opportunity while working at a start-up."

What advice do you have for PharmD students seeking to pursue a fellowship?

"My best advice is to be open to all fellowships even if they aren't in the functional area you're initially interested in. Each program and team are different. Be yourself during your interviews and look for a fellowship where you will be supported and valued."

What advice do you have for students seeking a fellowship opportunity but say that they don't have experience/ internship/ rotations in the functional area/ etc...?

"Be confident in yourself and highlight your transferable skills from your rotations. Ask for help from someone in the functional area to understand the responsibilities in the role and show a willingness to learn."