Hilaire keynotes Black History Month Seminar

Dr. Jean Hilaire has a compelling story to tell, which he relates with a delightful French Caribbean accent that pampers the ears.

The staff pharmacist at Roper St. Francis Hospital is the keynote speaker at the MUSC College of Pharmacy Annual Black History Month Seminar, which will be February 25 at noon in Room 302 of the Michael P. Araneo Building on Calhoun Street..

Dr. Hilaire, who was born in Haiti and speaks five languages including Creole, graduated from the Medical University of South Carolina in 2010.

It will always be a year of tragedy for Dr. Hilaire, whose mother and sister were killed in a devasting earthquake that took the lives of an estimated quarter of a million people in Haiti. He joined a medical mission from MUSC and acted as guide and interpreter, helping survivors after the devastation. Miraculously, he found the bodies of his mother and sister and was able to give them a proper burial.

Despite everything, he was able to complete his final year and graduate as a member of the first class of the South Carolina College of Pharmacy.

“Dr. Hilaire’s ability to cope with his loss and triumph over adversity is a testament to tremendous strength of character and remarkable resilience,” said Philip Hall, dean of the MUSC College of Pharmacy. “He is a true inspiration.”

In his current position at Roper St. Francis Hospital, Dr. Hilaire performs as a staff and clinical pharmacist. His strength in chemistry and pharmacology allows him to focus on medication adverse effects, therapeutics and toxicology to ensure that all patient medications produce the desired therapeutic effect.

“As a pharmacist who sets patient safety as a priority, I always ask myself, ‘Is this medication safe enough to administer to my loved ones?’ ” he said. “If I can help treat a patient without causing any harm or adverse events, my mission is fulfilled.”

Prior to Roper, he served for four years as staff pharmacist/assistant director of pharmacy for Regency Hospital in Florence after a brief stint as a staff pharmacist at Hilton Head Hospital. He completed his pre-pharmacy work at Campbell University in North Carolina, Miami Dade College in Miami, and Broward Community College in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

A native of Haiti, Dr. Hilaire has been living in the United States for more than 20 years. He is the proud father of Pierrah and Sebastien Hilaire, and a loving husband to Dr. Latecia Abraham-Hilaire. In his spare time, he enjoys music and sports. He is multilingual and speaks five languages, which include French, Spanish, German, English, and Creole.