<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><item href="/pharmacy/news-and-events/features/romafou-bates.php" dsn="news"><featured/><top-stories>true</top-stories><pubDate>04/22/2026 09:14:55 AM</pubDate><title>Romafou Bates: Rooted in Culture, Driven by Care</title><subtitle>Pharm.D. Candidate Shaped by Family, Culture and a Passion for Patient-centered Care</subtitle><description>Through hands-on experiences in ambulatory care and active involvement in student organizations, Romafou Bates has grown from a self-described introvert into a recognized leader among his peers. As he prepares to pursue residency training, he remains committed to advancing patient-centered care and building a future where pharmacists play a vital role in health care decision-making.</description><author>Avery Pascual</author><author-email/><author-phone/><image><img src="/pharmacy/_images/features/romafou-bates-dsc02161-thumb.jpg" alt="Romafou Bates"/></image><categories>Student,Spotlights</categories></item>