Pharmacy Perspectives - Graduation 2018 - 4

Graduation :
Carlo and Rebekah share a kiss.

TRUE LOVE

O

riginally from Alaska, Rebekah and Carlo
Balmes met in middle school and began dating in high school, where they both shared a
passion for science. Rebekah, the youngest of
three girls, and Carlo, the oldest of three boys,
were drawn to each other. They moved to
Colorado for pharmacy school and married the summer after their
P-2 year. "My mom finally got a girl!" says Carlo enthusiastically.
Since both have pursued pharmacy, you could assume that
the two were in lock step with each other and have been on the
same path for years. But you'd be wrong.

4

CU Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences

"Interestingly, we pursued pharmacy
independently of each other," says Rebekah.
In fact, they had very different experiences,
which shaped their future choices.
As young adults, they worked as pharmacy technicians.
Rebekah loved the community pharmacy
atmosphere, "I thought it was really magical
how medications could fix people and really
liked talking to people. I saw that the pharmacist could have a big impact."
Carlo's initial foray into pharmacy did
not go well. Thrown into a very busy store,
"I didn't get the training I needed. I didn't
like the experience and wasn't the best technician," admits Carlo. As a result, he nearly
walked away from the profession. But he
gave it another chance as a pharmacy technician at Providence Alaska Medical Center
and saw an entirely different side.
"The hospital reshaped my perception of the
job. I ended up loving it. The pharmacists were
active as patient advocates...making the best

decisions for the patients," says Carlo.
For both, the experiences have been
unique; shaping who they are and the careers
they have selected. Their love for each other,
the profession and their home state is evident.
According to Rebekah, "Anchorage is
the Denver of Alaska. There are quite a few
similarities." With its urban atmosphere,
diverse cultures, and mild climate (70s in
the summer and 20s in the winter), "There's
a lot to love," says Carlo. "Not everyone can
handle the dark, though," adds Rebekah.
After graduation, both will head back
north to Alaska for positions where they were
once technicians. "While in school we kept in
touch with our bosses and whenever we went
home we'd drop by to catch up," Rebekah
says. "Which really helped when trying
to nail down a job." Rebekah will be continuing her career in community pharmacy
with Fred Meyer - part of the Kroger retail
chain - while Carlo attained a residency at
Providence Alaska Medical Center.



Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Pharmacy Perspectives - Graduation 2018

In This Issue
Pharmacy Perspectives - Graduation 2018 - In This Issue
Pharmacy Perspectives - Graduation 2018 - 2
Pharmacy Perspectives - Graduation 2018 - 3
Pharmacy Perspectives - Graduation 2018 - 4
Pharmacy Perspectives - Graduation 2018 - 5
Pharmacy Perspectives - Graduation 2018 - 6
Pharmacy Perspectives - Graduation 2018 - 7
Pharmacy Perspectives - Graduation 2018 - 8
Pharmacy Perspectives - Graduation 2018 - 9
Pharmacy Perspectives - Graduation 2018 - 10
Pharmacy Perspectives - Graduation 2018 - 11
Pharmacy Perspectives - Graduation 2018 - 12
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ucdenver/pharmperspectives_2019graduation
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ucdenver/pharmperspectives_2019winterspring
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ucdenver/pharmperspectives_2018summerfall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ucdenver/pharmperspectives_2018graduation
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ucdenver/pharmperspectives_2018winterspring
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ucdenver/pharmperspectives_2017summerfall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ucdenver/pharmperspectives_2017winterspring
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ucdenver/pharmperspectives_2017graduation
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ucdenver/pharmperspectives_2016fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ucdenver/pharmperspectives_2016graduation
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ucdenver/pharmperspectives_2016winterspring
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ucdenver/pharmperspectives_2015summerfall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ucdenver/pharmperspectives_2015graduation
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ucdenver/pharmperspectives_2015winterspring
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ucdenver/pharmperspectives_2014summerfall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ucdenver/pharmperspectives_2014graduation
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ucdenver/pharmperspectives_2014winterspring
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ucdenver/pharmperspectives_2013summerfall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ucdenver/pharmperspectives_2013graduation
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ucdenver/pharmperspectives_2012fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ucdenver/pharmperspectives_2012winter
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ucdenver/pharmperspectives_2011fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ucdenver/pharmperspectives_2011grad
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ucdenver/pharmperspectives_2010fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ucdenver/pharmperspectives_2010grad
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ucdenver/pharmperspectives_2010spring
https://www.nxtbookmedia.com