The eldest of four, Gabriela Gaytán is a leader driven by a commitment to service.
While she always loved the idea of working in public health, her experience at a veterinary teaching hospital during her undergraduate studies encouraged her to pursue a career in pharmacy. There, she gained hands-on experience as a pharmacy technician under University of Houston College of Pharmacy (UHCOP) alumna Amy Savarino, Pharm.D. (’08), DICVP, compounding capsules, suspensions and injections.
“There’s always something new to learn – a new drug, a new or updated guideline, a new area of practice, and that constant growth is what really excites me,” Gaytán said.
Beyond the science, Gaytán was drawn to pharmacy for its direct impact on patients’ lives through education, accessibility and trust.
When comparing pharmacy schools, the UHCOP Rio Grande Valley (RGV) Pharm.D. Satellite Program is what sold her on becoming a Cougar. The RGV Satellite Program, in partnership with DHR Health in Edinburg, focuses on bridging gaps in healthcare by addressing the unique health practices and cultural and linguistic needs of the region’s predominant population.
“The goal has always been to eventually return home,” Gaytán said. “Knowing I would have opportunities to connect with pharmacists in the RGV and learn how to better serve my community – that’s why I chose UHCOP.”
Communication That Builds Trust
Working with the Spanish-speaking community, Gaytán said she has seen firsthand how gaps in interpreting services can affect patient adherence and lead to misunderstandings in treatment plans.
“When interpreting services are not easily accessible, patients may hesitate to ask questions or misunderstand important details,” Gaytán said.
To combat that, Gaytán said she prioritizes active listening and individualized counseling to understand what patients already know before filling in the gaps. Gaytán regularly uses the teach-back method, asking patients to repeat instructions to ensure comprehension — a practice emphasized from students’ first year at UHCOP.
“If patients are able to leave knowing how they’re supposed to take their medication, why they’re taking it, and what to look out for, they are more engaged in their own care and more likely to remain adherent,” Gaytán said.
From Classroom to Patient Care
Applying classroom knowledge to real-world situations has been central to her development. During patient counseling, Gaytán said she adapts both her language and approach to meet individual needs, often providing counseling in Spanish.
While working in a community pharmacy, Gaytán regularly applied clinical judgment to assess patient concerns. In one encounter, a man sought care after noticing skin had sloughed off his foot, despite reporting no pain. Recognizing a potential sign of diabetic neuropathy, she confirmed his diagnosis and medication adherence, ruling out a medication-related cause.
Recognizing the pharmacy limits, Gaytán said she advised him to seek evaluation from his podiatrist or seek emergency care, and to avoid wearing tight socks and shoes to prevent further injury or possible infection.
“You see a lot of things like this since we are the most approachable healthcare provider,” Gaytán said. “You have to be able to know whether or not this is something you can treat or immediately refer to higher care.”
Leadership in Action
Gaytán currently serves as the Phi Lambda Sigma leadership challenge chair, the American Pharmacist Association-Academy of Student Pharmacists (APhA-ASP) chapter president and co-founding senior chair for Operación Farmacia, a patient care initiative of APhA-ASP.
As president of UHCOP’s APhA-ASP chapter, Gaytán leads 51 officers across eight operations, three initiatives, five committees and the executive team, helping drive programs that strengthen student engagement, professional development and community service.
“Each operation and initiative within APhA-ASP serves a unique purpose, creating meaningful impact in so many different ways,” Gaytán said.
Gaytán’s leadership under APhA-ASP earned her the APhA Foundation Col. Jerry W. Ross Scholarship, which recognizes students who embody selflessness, integrity and leadership. Rather than measuring success through numbers or titles, Gaytán measures her leadership impact by the growth in others.
“For me, leadership is about inspiring and enabling others to thrive,” Gaytán said. “When that happens, I know my work is meaningful.”
Coming Full Circle
After graduation, Gaytán said she currently plans on moving back home to the RGV and continuing to serve in community pharmacy but remains open to different practice settings as she explores where she can make the greatest impact.
“I feel a responsibility to continue giving back to the communities that raised me and to set an example for others in my community,” Gaytán said.
Grounded in her commitment to service and community care, Gaytán looks forward to using her knowledge and leadership to support patients and strengthen access to care in the RGV.