When Pharm.D. candidate Chad Johnson entered college, he imagined a future in medicine. He loved chemistry, was fascinated by how drugs work in the body, and felt drawn to patient care. But it wasn’t until he worked as a medical scribe documenting visits, treatments and outcomes that he realized where he truly belonged.
“I saw firsthand how medications could change patients’ lives,” Johnson said. “I think most often about diabetic patients. Once they started getting their blood sugars under control, you could see the trend over time and how much better they felt.”
That clarity led him to the University of Houston College of Pharmacy, a choice influenced by both proximity — he has lived in Houston all his life — and reputation.
“When I was applying, UHCOP was ranked No. 1 in NAPLEX pass rates,” Johnson said. “On interview day, I could tell the college genuinely wanted students to succeed. I knew it was the place for me.”
Leadership Excellence
In addition to serving as an ambassador, Johnson expanded his involvement through several professional organizations, including the Rho Chi Honor Society, Student College of Clinical Pharmacy, Student Society of Health-System Pharmacists, and Hispanic Pharmacy Student Association.
Johnson has distinguished himself in local and state pharmacy competitions, earning first place in the Texas Society of Health-System Pharmacists Annual Seminar Leadership Challenge in 2025 and winning the 2024 American College of Clinical Pharmacy (ACCP) local Clinical Research Challenge. In 2024, he also advanced to Round 2 of the ACCP Online Journal Club Exam and placed third in the Student Society of Health-System Pharmacists local Clinical Skills Competition, highlighting his strengths in leadership, research evaluation and clinical decision-making.
A Calling Confirmed
His clinical rotations reaffirmed that he was exactly where he needed to be, most notably during his advanced pharmacy practice rotation in critical care trauma surgery ICU at Harris Health Ben Taub Hospital. He helped care for a young patient who had been critically injured in an accident. The patient was gradually stabilized through the care plan, which included consistent medication adjustments and daily monitoring.
“Once the patient improved enough to have the breathing tube removed, I finally got to talk with him directly,” Johnson said. “Seeing both him and his mom benefit from our work was incredibly powerful.”
Johnson made small but meaningful interventions — asking about pain, sleep and symptoms, and recommending medication changes, which the interdisciplinary team welcomed.
“The team made it a collaborative environment,” Johnson said. “They listened to pharmacy recommendations and valued our perspective.”
Faculty Influence
Throughout rotations, Johnson’s preceptors — particularly UHCOP Professors Kevin Garey, Pharm.D., M.S., BCIDP, FASHP, FIDSA, FCCP, and Matthew Wanat, Pharm.D., BCPS, BCCCP, FCCM — had a profound impact on his development. Garey introduced him to research during his first advanced experiential, sparking an interest he hadn’t expected.
“I learned how important research is,” Johnson said. “It shapes guidelines and clinical practice.”
His work in Garey’s lab eventually led to a research project he presented at the 2025 American Society of Health-System Pharmacists Midyear Clinical Meeting, solidifying his passion for infectious diseases and research rigor.
Wanat, his cardiology preceptor at Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center, helped refine his clinical reasoning.
“Dr. Wanat embodies what it means to be a teacher — patient, clear and always dropping clinical pearls,” Johnson said. “Both he and Dr. Garey showed me how much a preceptor’s teaching style can shape your development.”
Prepared for Practice
Johnson’s commitment to discipline and consistency has also helped him maintain a 4.0 GPA. His advice to incoming students: stay organized and start early.
“Do the day’s material the same day; if you wait several days, things pile up,” Johnson said.
With graduation on the horizon, Johnson is preparing for residency applications with his sights set on the Texas Medical Center, where he and his fiancée hope to remain. Ultimately, he wants to pursue a hospital pharmacy career and specialize in infectious diseases, potentially even continuing in research after residency.
Looking back, Johnson credits UHCOP’s close-knit environment, paired with high expectations and strong mentorship, for helping him grow into the clinician he is becoming.
“This program supports you, but it also pushes you,” Johnson said. “That’s helped me grow in ways I never expected.”