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How to Balance Pharmacy, Pro Badminton, and Everything in Between

Interview with Jacqueline Cheung: Pharmacy Student (PharmD) at University of Toronto, Professional Badminton Athlete, Content Creator, Researcher

Author

Sachi Chan
November 28, 2024

Message from Sachi

Hi friends,

To everyone finishing up with exams and assignments - good luck, you got this! I’m simultaneously trying to make the most of the final few days of term, and prepare for my offline break over the holidays (please send me your top book recommendations to read)

The past few weeks, I have:

I’m looking forward to the new adventures that are coming this December🎄✈️❄️ 

I’m excited to share my first pharmacy student interview with you today! This week, I invited Jacqueline to share her story. Jacqueline and I connected back in 2023, but we thought about doing this interview after Jacqueline had settled in with Pharmacy school. Jacqueline is currently a PharmD student at University of Toronto and a professional badminton athlete. Today she’ll share her story of how she does it all!

What you’ll learn from Jacqueline:

  • Her journey in pharmacy school, including her application process & her reasons why she chose pharmacy as a health profession

  • Competing nationally and internationally as an aspiring Olympian badminton player

  • Advice for aspiring student-athletes who are interested in maintaining athletics with professional school

Enjoy today’s read,

Sachi 💌 

How to Balance Pharmacy, Pro Badminton, and Everything in Between: Interview with Jacqueline Cheung

Me at the PharmD White Coat Ceremony!

First off, tell us about your journey so far. Where do you study, what inspired you to pursue this, and what’s next? What else do you like to do outside of studying?

Hey my name is Jacqueline Cheung, I use she/her pronouns, and I’m currently a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) student at the University of Toronto. I graduated from Western University as a Western Scholar in 2023. I was on track to receive a Bachelors of Medical Science (BMSc) with an Honours Specialization in One Health, but graduated with a Bachelors of Science (BSc), Major in Medical Sciences due to the accelerated nature of my degree after being accepted to pharmacy school at the end of my third year.

There are so many healthcare professions that are all integral to a team, so it was very difficult for me to choose where I wanted to be. I decided to pursue pharmacy because I knew I wanted to advocate for better patient care in any setting, whether that be in the community, hospital, or pharmaceutical industry - I like to keep my options open. Pharmacists play a crucial role in the healthcare system., and are professionals who serve the community in many different ways; I knew that I wanted a career that was rewarding and fulfilling no matter the environment I decided to work in.

Outside of academics, I am also a competitive badminton athlete, so I train for and travel to compete at various national and international tournaments throughout the year. I’m working towards every athlete’s ultimate goal, which is to compete at the Olympics. 

Other than that, I play volleyball intramurals with my pharmacy classmates and explore Toronto by running (I ran my first half marathon in May 2024). In my free time, I like to try new food spots and bake with friends!

At Western’s convocation (2023)!

Can you tell us about your experience as a Pharmacy Student at UofT! What is your life like as a student, and can you talk about some of the highlights of pharmacy school? What is the application process like for prospective students, and can you talk about your own application timeline? 

About PharmD

As a pharmacy student at the University of Toronto, I’m studying in a four-year professional undergraduate program to obtain a Doctor of Pharmacy degree. These four years consist of three years of academic courses (didactic or pre-clinical), with experiential rotations at the end of years one and two (EPEs), plus one year of experiential rotations (year four APPEs). You can learn more about the curriculum here, and experiential rotations here. After completing four years, I will take the national board exams and complete the necessary licensing requirements for each province I wish to practice in. 

Applying to UofT PharmD

I personally applied during my third year of undergrad, and received my offer to enter the PharmD program right after third year. Some apply earlier (earliest is during second year), some apply later (after undergrad, a masters, or working); I believe the age range is approximately 20-30 years old in my class. For me, I submitted my grades in December 2022, completed the Casper assessment in January 2023 (used PrepMatch to prepare), had my interview in March, submitted my final grades in early May, and was accepted early June 2023. If you’re interested in applying to the program, I would check the official website for the most updated process and timelines, especially as there will be a 3 year PharmD program coming soon.

My thoughts on the coursework

In my first year, most of the classes were very undergrad-esque, where we learned many of the basics such as pharmacokinetics, pharmacology, biochemistry and immunology, and pathobiology to name a few. However, some of my favourite courses have been the ones where I can see a direct application to a pharmacist’s day-to-day life, for example, Pharmacotherapy (PCT) and Medication Therapy Management (MTM). In PCT-1 (1 of 7), there were didactic lectures, but also case-based assignments and discussions that allow for real critical thinking on how to best manage patients’ medications. MTM-1 (1 of 4) consisted of a 50-50 split between working in Kroll, a software used in some pharmacies, and counselling patients on medications. I thoroughly enjoyed these more hands-on learning opportunities within our curriculum before working at my EPE-1 placement in a community pharmacy, and I’m excited to learn more through the following PCT and MTM courses in the PharmD degree. I’m also particularly excited to learn about health economics and models that inform the pharmaceutical sector. In my third year, I finally have the option to take some electives, and I’m currently interested in global pharmaceutical policy.

My first-year experience

Taking 6 to 7 courses per term was definitely an adjustment from undergrad, where I had only taken 5 each, but just like everything difficult, you live and you learn, and you get used to the pace. I’m thankful that I've bonded with my classmates and met some really amazing friends here in the program. Additionally, living in Toronto has been spectacular because everything is in such close proximity and I get to check out all the new food popping up. All in all, I’ve been really loving my experience in pharmacy school and can’t wait to continue learning and growing.

With Acting Dean Micheline Piquette-Miller at the Pharmacy Awards Ceremony

You’re also a professional badminton player. Can you tell us a bit more about this and how this has shaped you today? How have you balanced academics, extracurriculars, and sports, and what advice do you have for other aspiring student-athletes?

I began playing badminton when I was 9 years old, and started competing in national and international circuits when I was 14. The sport has taught me so many important life lessons, it’s almost difficult to piece together the right words. It’s taught me the value of discipline, perseverance, and goal setting, but also the value in true friends, good mentors, and mutual respect. I like to think that these qualities translate into success in my academics, career, and personal relationships as well.

During my first year as a pharmacy student, I didn’t travel much as I was still adjusting to my course load. I competed as a Varsity Athlete and Team Captain of the University of Toronto team where we won first place provincially (OUAs) and second place nationally. Individually, I won the national university titles in Women’s Doubles and Mixed Doubles. Additionally, I only played two other tournaments during the school year; I won the Canadian National Championships and Canadian International Challenge in Women’s Doubles.

Currently, I train with the UofT varsity team on a couple weekday mornings, and weekends at my club (Mandarin Badminton Club) at home. When I’m away for tournaments, I try my best to work ahead (but let’s be honest it doesn’t always happen), and oftentimes catch up online when abroad, and when I get back to Toronto.

Outside of school and badminton, I’m an active part of the pharmacy community. In first year I was a part of many different clubs but after reevaluating for second year, I will be moving forward as the Junior Representative of the International Pharmacy Students' Federation (IPSF) and Communications Lead for the Canadian Society of Hospital Pharmacists (CSHP). I had first learned of these positions online, but was notified of their openings via email. I then completed the applications and interviews before I secured these roles.

In terms of balancing academics, extracurriculars, and sports, prioritizing what’s important at the moment is how I do it all. I do everything 100%, but not 100% of the time – when the time comes, whether it’s studying for an exam or competing at a tournament, I give it my all. When deadlines need to be met or finals are coming up, I would prioritize tasks and studying over other things, so it’s all about distributing energy where I need it most.

With Women’s Doubles partner Rachel Honderich after winning the Canadian National Championships

Can you tell us about your summer research position? How did you find the position, what was your role, what did you do, was it paid, and what did you enjoy about the role?

This summer, I was a student with the Undergraduate Summer Research Program (USRP), conducting research under the supervision of Dr. Mina Tadrous and Dr. Yasmin Abdul Aziz in pharmacoepidemiology and pharmacy services. It was a paid opportunity; I found this through the website and asked upper year students about their experiences. 

With Dr. Yasmin Abdul Aziz after my final summer research presentation at the Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy

The specific application process may vary for each faculty, so check the one that applies to you and please take everything I say with a grain of salt. I applied by first emailing professors to learn about their research and to gauge how many positions were available in the labs I was interested in. I then wrote cover letters for these labs (I applied to 2) and submitted them through the USRP portal. I also had to rank these labs in order of interest. Now the ball is in the professors’ courts, and they pick and choose which students they want to work with them. For me, my professor interviewed candidates like myself before offering the final decision. I know other peers simply got an offer via email. 

My position was in a “dry lab”, so I worked in an office, not from a lab bench. My professor was also very mindful and allowed us to work hybrid, so we wouldn’t have to come to campus every single day of the week. The main project I worked on was evaluating the use of an Audit and Feedback intervention to improve pharmaceutical care. I essentially conducted literature reviews, coded, and analyzed qualitative data. I’m very interested in this kind of work, and it has inspired me to pursue research and development along with clinical work in the future. One of the main takeaways from this project for me has been the impact of language on people’s perceptions, and how it can further impact decision making. I’m currently still working on this project as it’s in the writing stages, and I hope it can transform policy to support safer patient medication management. This research opportunity has allowed me to build connections and learn about fields I may want to pursue as a pharmacist later on.

What types of experiential learning opportunities did you have in undergrad that you think were the most pivotal in getting you to where you are today?

In 2020 (COVID times), I was looking to give back to my community as I never felt like I had the time during high school. I started volunteering (unpaid) with The Canadian Courage Project when it was just starting out, and alongside the co-founders and team members along the way, built the non-profit to be what it is today. Throughout my 4 years of volunteering, I worked through many different roles and learned skills that have been ingrained in me now in my day to day. From creating content, managing social media platforms and grant writing, to leading teams of people and networking with key stakeholders in organizations, it was truly a transformative experience. Most importantly, it was learning how to foster genuine connections with people and creating lasting friendships that was most pivotal through this experience. 

As Head Coach of the Western Varsity Badminton Team (paid) while simultaneously competing as an athlete, I not only learned how to juggle yet another role in my busy life, but other soft skills such as dealing with difficult people, advocating for a team, and commanding respect from peers. 

Moreso pertaining to pharmacy, I have been working part-time at a Shoppers Drug Mart as a Pharmacy Student (paid) during the school year. I came by this opportunity when I saw an acquaintance post about an opening on Facebook (so millennial of me), and I emailed the owner of the Shoppers with my interest and willingness to learn, since I didn’t have any prior pharmacy experience. I’m very grateful she was eager to take me on part-time as I’ve been able to learn more about the field and gain hard skills that are useful in my coursework. Having that real-world experience has allowed me to gain perspective on the applications of what we learn in school.

Where can students go if they want to learn more about your experiences?

I host an Instagram page @jpycheung, where I post about my life as a student-athlete. I’ve also done some contract work (paid) with the Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy (@uoftpharmacy) on social media and you can see my videos there. If you’re a student looking to share your experiences online, I’d highly encourage you to do so! Opportunities arise once you put yourself out there.

Feel free to also connect with me directly on LinkedIn if you have any questions!

Is there any final advice or resources that you would like to share with Invite Health readers?

Growing up, I've encountered countless people who told me I couldn’t do it all. Now, I often hear others question why I deliberately choose challenging paths, especially when they see firsthand the stress I experience. Studying to be a Doctor of Pharmacy is not an easy feat and adding professional badminton on top just makes it that much harder. 

The simple answer for why I keep doing what I’m doing is: I know I’m capable, and I want to inspire the next generation of young people to also be multifaceted. You don’t need to stay within the box(es) that people put you in. Be intentional with your time, be purposeful in what you do and most importantly, be confident in your decisions because it’s your life to live.

With Women’s Doubles partner Rachel Honderich after winning the Canadian International Challenge

Jobs, Opportunities & Resources 💻️ 

Most of these resources are reposted on Invite Health’s LinkedIn page.

About Invite Health 💌 

I started Invite Health for my younger self who was trying to figure out what to do with my health sci degree that wasn’t a career in medicine.

Today, I’d say this quote is the primary reason I continue to build Invite Health:

“Talent is everywhere, opportunity is not”

The mission of Invite Health is to close this talent-opportunity gap for students in the life and health sciences.

Since 2022, we’re the leading resource for students figuring out what to do with a life sci / health sci degree. I interview students pursuing diverse careers in healthcare, and how they got there - no gatekeeping here. Every newsletter is rich with resources and insights.

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