From Learner to Leader

Pharm.D. Candidate Christian Brown Combines Care and Advocacy to Impact Patients, Peers

For Pharm.D. candidate Christian Brown, education has always been more than a goal—it has been a family tradition. Originally from Salt Lake City, Brown’s family moved to Houston when his father’s career brought them south. His ties to the University of Houston run deep: his older brother completed pre-nursing at UH, and his mother earned her master’s degree in criminology at UH Clear Lake. With family connected to academia and UH, Brown grew up in a household where learning was not only encouraged but expected.

Initially considering chemical engineering, Brown realized he was more drawn to the biological sciences than to oil and gas. He began exploring pharmacy as a career after his brother “planted the seed.” Although he faced early setbacks—such as not landing a technician trainee position—he stayed focused, completed his prerequisites and was accepted into UHCOP’s Pharm.D. program during his third undergraduate year.

Brown’s commitment to community health developed early in his Pharm.D. training and was strengthened through direct patient care. As a P2 student volunteering at the Houston Mayor’s Back to School Fest, he educated parents about the HPV vaccine, helping one mother understand its benefits and motivating her to learn where she could get her family vaccinated. Later, during his Community Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience, he counseled a young woman beginning medications for anxiety and sleep, using both his professional knowledge and personal experience to reassure her and her mother, who returned to thank him for his empathy and genuine care.

“Through my time at UHCOP, I’ve learned how to stylize my counseling to make it personal but also ensure that I am identifying any gaps in care and resolving concerns patients have both effectively and efficiently,” Brown said.

Brown also discovered his passion for consultant pharmacy. As a founding member and treasurer of UHCOP’s chapter of the American Society of Consultant Pharmacists (ASCP), he helped grow the organization from a handful of officers to more than 50 members. His rotation with alumnus and geriatric pharmacist James Plimper, Pharm.D. (’08), BCGP, gave him a full-circle experience, applying what he had learned through ASCP to real patient care in a long-term care facility.

"We played an integral role in ensuring nurses are educated on how and when medications should be administered, monitored and removed when expired or discontinued,” Brown said. “It’s all about reconciling every detail to make sure each patient receives the best care possible and that these facilities continue getting funded by Medicare and Medicaid."

In addition to ASCP treasurer, Brown served his class as both vice president and president. While running for office had initially pushed him far outside his comfort zone, it also helped him realize the importance of stepping into the spotlight and becoming someone others could rely on.

“This is what life is; you can’t always hide and shy away from things,” Brown said. “If you are afraid of a leadership position, that’s the exact reason why you should apply.”

Brown has also dipped into research, presenting a poster at the 2024 American Society of Health-System Pharmacists Midyear Clinical Meeting. His team’s quality improvement project compared treatments for atopic dermatitis. This included calling patients to get feedback on their medication and working with a pharmacy data analyst at a leading biopharmaceutical company, experiences which challenged his time management but gave him another layer of growth.

Beyond classes and coursework, some of his fondest memories include late nights studying with classmates who served as hall monitors alongside him and celebrating different cultures at International Day.

“It gave us a chance to see what life looks like for our friends and their families and share those experiences together,” Brown said.

At every turn, Brown has been supported by his family, his peers, and his husband, whom he met during his P1 year.

“He’s been my rock through the rotations, classes and studying,” Brown said. “And my peers—amazing people—have become like family.”

Reflecting on his transformation over the past three and a half years, Brown remembers arriving at UHCOP unable to recall even a brand name of ibuprofen. Now, he is counseling patients and confidently answering questions.

Looking ahead, Brown plans to continue in community pharmacy but envisions a transition to consultant pharmacy. To younger pharmacy students, his advice is simple but powerful.

“Pharmacy is a small world, so be kind, be mindful and support your peers,” Brown said. “In the end, it not only benefits you—it benefits everyone.”

— Kristin Marie Mitchener