Brandéa Hardie opens up about why pharmacy, why MUSC, and what's next

Fourth-year student Brandéa Hardie ’24 has taken an unusual path to pharmacy school. 

She earned a master's in clinical research from Campbell University in 2017, after earning a multidisciplinary bachelor of science with a concentration in neuroscience from East Carolina University in 2007. She is passionate and insightful, with her sights set on a career in industry. 

She sat down for a candid Q-and-A about her background, experience, and her future.

 

What interested you in healthcare?

Growing up in a small rural town in Bolivia, North Carolina, I learned quickly that there were “two Bolivias”—not only in terms of racial and economic segregation but also in terms of access to resources like quality education and healthcare.  I know first-hand how it feels to have limited access to healthcare and travel for basic healthcare needs.  Coming from a place of limited resources shaped my determination to pursue a pharmacy career path to advocate for equal healthcare.  

The lack of equity in healthcare access means less education about medication safety.  This contributes to medication errors and ultimately leads to decreased patient satisfaction and trust in the healthcare system.  

My passion for pharmacy is rooted in my desire to improve others’ health to my fullest potential through a meaningful career. Improving healthcare and achieving health equity requires a broader approach to addressing the socioeconomic and environmental factors influencing health.  Underserved communities would benefit greatly from increased advocacy and education about medication safety.   

 

What interested you in pharmacy?

My first inclination to become a pharmacist arose out of my caregiver responsibility for my grandmother diagnosed with dementia.  I was responsible for her medications in giving and managing them, which challenged me to understand her medication’s safety and efficacy and how the target areas were reached. As a future pharmacist, I am passionate about committing my time and expertise to assist in reducing medication errors, promoting the safe use of medications, and improving clinical outcomes, especially among at-risk populations such as the elderly, the uninsured, or those who may not be health literate.  

 

What do you plan to pursue with your pharmacy degree?

My long-term career goals include working towards policy development and implementation related to biosimilars and generic drug products with a global pharmaceutical company.  

I am very interested in pursuing a career that allows me the opportunity to serve as a leader in clinical oncology trials, reporting important observations from practice, and supporting investigational drug service programs. Being able to participate in the discovery and development of new oncology therapies provides life-changing potential for patients with cancer. 

I believe becoming a medical writer within the industry and division of Oncology will directly enhance my medical expertise to contribute in my own way. I want to apply the principles of clinical research in developing clinical trial documents that effectively and clearly describe research results, product use, and other medical information for a life-changing drug.  I hope to one day assist in bringing a new oncology drug to market and participate in the Journal of Oncology Pharmacy Practice.  

Furthermore, I would like to contribute to the research needed for more minority participants in various oncology clinical trials providing more access for the underrepresented community to utilize these life-saving drugs.  

 

How have your scholarships helped?

These scholarships have helped me in continuing to achieve educationally by supplementing the costs of tuition, apartment, and other living expenses.

I left a full-time job as a Senior Clinical Research Project Coordinator and moved to another state for pharmacy school. As a non-traditional student in my thirties, I am following my passion for pharmacy as a second career. I have always valued honest work, and through my persistence, I will be the first in my family to complete a doctorate degree.

These scholarships have helped to reduce some of my financial burden as an independent student, providing a peace of mind, reduced the number of hours I needed to work during school, and gave me the opportunity to make the most of my education. 

 

Why do you think supporting the school is important?

Supporting the school is important because community support to students increases student attendance, performance, achievements, and results in a general attitude of positivity towards the university and degree program.

In addition, support ensures student success, provides a good reputation for the institution, and produces more funds that can be put back into serving the needs of students.  Support can provide the leadership and motivation to keep various groups learning from each other and working together.   

 

What is the most memorable thing that’s happened to you at college?

I have several memorable experiences during my college career. 

In Fall 2021- 2022, I served as a student representative on the South Carolina Pharmacy Association House of Delegates.  In this role, I communicated policy stances the association should take, participated in current events impacting the profession, and reviewed compliance of policies associated with state and federal regulations.  I pursued that role to provide minority representation in healthcare through pharmacy.  

From Spring 2021-Spring 2023 I served as the MUSC SGA Vice President of Diversity and Inclusion and then a SGA University Student Representative. I grew as a student and as a person overall.  Being able to serve the students at the university on such a level was very rewarding.  I promoted MUSC diversity and inclusion’s mission, strategies, and practice to support a diverse education experience and leverage the effects of diversity to promote well-rounded healthcare professionals.  Furthermore, I implemented programs to address unconscious bias, acknowledge holidays and practices of all cultures, make it more accessible to participate in MUSC resources programs and communicate the importance of managing bias through education and healthcare. 

In addition, from Fall 2020-Fall 2021 I served as a Pharmacy Coordinator for the C.A.R.E.S. Clinic.  I helped provide accessible healthcare at no cost for uninsured and underrepresented communities in Charleston while educating future healthcare professionals through our service to these patients.  The C.A.R.E.S. Clinic is a student ran night clinic to provide accessibility to those needed more flexibility to address their healthcare needs. In this position, I periodically developed new protocols and policies to improve prescribing, medication management, immunization practices, and update existing protocols as needed.  I organized two Saturday pediatrics clinics at the local elementary school in North Charleston throughout the year.                 

 

Anything else that might be of interest to readers?

Having overcome the limitations imposed on me as a minority student, I am determined within my future profession to help bridge the economic and racial gaps that exist in healthcare.  Through various platforms such as pharmacy practice, patient advocacy, and medication safety/management; I feel I can make a difference in my local community and beyond.

My experiences overcoming adversity to achieve access to high-quality education and professional opportunities have equipped me with mental tenacity.  This tenacity has empowered me to exceed the mediocre expectations that society has set for minorities.  

I have an opportunity to push for equity in healthcare and build trust among my community.  This sense of obligation motivates me to leverage my platform to provide members of under-served communities with resources needed for better healthcare.