Kia and Namdar Moazzami reflect on their Waterloo Pharmacy journeys
When Namdar Moazzami (PharmD'17) came to Canada in 2009 he was already on his career path. As a practicing physician back in his home country, Iran, he was eager to continue his practice in Canada. When it became clear that there were too many roadblocks to continue his career, he turned to other options.
“Studying at Waterloo Pharmacy was the best experience of my life – it was my second chance to be a student again and to dive into another side of medicine,” Namdar says.
For Kia Moazzami (PharmD'24) healthcare was always a big part of his life, exposed to different healthcare fields from multiple relatives from a young age, including his father. It was during his time in high school that he started to think more seriously about what career path to take.
“At this time my dad was in the middle of the Waterloo Pharmacy PharmD program,” Kia says. “At the dinner table he would tell my mom and I about his days at Waterloo Pharmacy and what a pharmacy career entailed. It sparked something in me – the drive to learn more about pharmacy.”
Why did you choose Waterloo?
When Namdar thought about which pharmacy school to apply to, he knew he had options, but when he heard that Waterloo Pharmacy had a co-op program, he recognized this was his chance to get hands on experience as a pharmacy student before entering the workforce.
“Waterloo was my first choice,” Namdar says. “When I got my acceptance, I was so happy! It was time to start a new journey.”
Kia loved hearing about his dad’s co-op experiences and wanted to follow in his footsteps. When he heard about the Conditional Admission to Pharmacy (CAP) program, Waterloo was solidified as his first choice.
“The ability to put knowledge into practice and to apply my skills hands-on was most important to me when choosing where to study,” Kia says.
I told my son, 'Waterloo Pharmacy really prepares their students as a medical school would'.
Challenges along the way
Moving to a new country was an extremely difficult time for Namdar. The challenges he experienced were all very stressful, but he knew he had to persevere.
“People questioned whether I could do this, whether I could even get into pharmacy school,” Namdar says. “I am so happy I listened to myself and believed in my abilities. I wouldn’t go back and change a thing.”
Kia was very young but remembers the impact of moving to a new country to start a new life.
“It was difficult to cut ties with all my friends and family,” Kia says. “Learning English, assimilating into the different culture and customs, understanding the new norms and making new friends was really hard. But watching how hard my dad worked and the persistence of both my parents inspired me.”
Elie Moazzami, Kia Moazzami and Namdar Moazzami at the Waterloo Pharmacy 2024 Convocation Reception. Photo credit: Rx2024 student.
Life as a student
Namdar viewed this as a second chance to be a student, to soak in the experience without applying the same pressures he put on himself as he did in the past. At Waterloo Pharmacy he enjoyed his time making connections with other students, involving himself in student life and trying new things.
“I remember when the student body voted for me to take the role of Society of Pharmacy Students (SOPhS) finance director. I was so touched and excited to try a new role,” Namdar says. “They said I could solve problems easier, but really I just had years of experience on them that gave me a different perspective to problems.”
Namdar reflects on how Waterloo Pharmacy prepared him for his career as a future pharmacist – from clinical exam prep and reviewing disease states, to practicing his skills in the professional practice lab, implementing his knowledge during co-op work terms and learning how to be a sympathetic and empathetic pharmacist. “I told my son, Waterloo Pharmacy really prepares its students as a medical school would,” Namdar adds.
Kia held onto the example his dad set for him, to make sure he enjoyed his time, to network and meet new like-minded people, and to push himself to get involved with the School. Kia served as the SOPhS president and education and outreach manager of the local Waterloo Canadian Association of Pharmacy Students and Interns (CAPSI) chapter. He was also the valedictorian for the class of 2024.
“I was so fortune to hold leadership roles during my time at Waterloo Pharmacy,” Kia says. “Being involved enriched my pharmacy school journey. The School has so many clubs you can choose from and many ways to get involved.”
Their next chapter
Namdar is currently working at a community pharmacy and a hospital pharmacy.
“It was such a special moment for me to be back at Waterloo Pharmacy watching my son graduate. It was so fun to be back at the School, reminisce about my time here and speak to my old professors,” Namdar says. “It’s strengthened the bond between my son and I; we’re both graduates of the same program from the same pharmacy school. My wife is a little jealous sometimes!”
Kia is working at a community pharmacy with a focus on clinical services such as diabetes management, warfarin dose adjustments, travel health consultations, vaccinations and minor ailment prescribing.
“I’m so passionate about the clinical aspect of the field, I’m looking forward to working in direct patient care,” Kia says. “I don’t know what the future holds but I’m keen on exploring the business and management side of pharmacy.”